Atlantic School of Theology
Encyclopedia
The Atlantic School of Theology (AST) is a Canadian
ecumenical university which provides "graduate level theological education and research, and in formation for Christian ministries, lay and ordained, in church and society, primarily in Atlantic Canada
". It is located in Halifax, Nova Scotia
and its current enrollment is 170 students.
The current Dean is the Reverend. Dr. Jody Clarke and the current president is the Reverend Canon Eric B. Beresford.
AST was formed in 1971 through a merger of the following institutions:
Theological Education has been delivered in the property in Halifax since 1878. AST occupies the former campus of Pine Hill Divinity Hall situated along the Northwest Arm
on Franklyn Street.
The school received its provincial charter to grant degrees in 1974 from the government of Nova Scotia. In 2002, AST and nearby Saint Mary's University signed an agreement whereby the two institutions "will explore joint projects and economies."http://astheology.ns.ca/abtHistory.htm
, are the only theological training institutions in Atlantic Canada
. AST is accredited by the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada
. Its main programs are those leading to the degrees of Master of Divinity
and Master of Theological Studies
.
AST also offers an Adult Education Certificate in Theological Studies and a Graduate Certificate Program in Theological Studies on campus or through the Internet. It offers a Master of Arts
in Religious Studies and Theology, in collaboration with Saint Mary's University. The Atlantic School of Theology ecumenical program also prepares chaplains for service in the Canadian Forces
.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
ecumenical university which provides "graduate level theological education and research, and in formation for Christian ministries, lay and ordained, in church and society, primarily in Atlantic Canada
Atlantic Canada
Atlantic Canada is the region of Canada comprising the four provinces located on the Atlantic coast, excluding Quebec: the three Maritime provinces – New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Nova Scotia – and Newfoundland and Labrador...
". It is located in Halifax, Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia is one of Canada's three Maritime provinces and is the most populous province in Atlantic Canada. The name of the province is Latin for "New Scotland," but "Nova Scotia" is the recognized, English-language name of the province. The provincial capital is Halifax. Nova Scotia is the...
and its current enrollment is 170 students.
The current Dean is the Reverend. Dr. Jody Clarke and the current president is the Reverend Canon Eric B. Beresford.
Mission
Atlantic School of Theology is an ecumenical university. The mission is to serve Christ’s mission, and to cultivate excellence in graduate-level theological education and research, creative and faithful formation for lay and ordained ministries, and understanding among communities of faith.Centres
The Canadian Centre for Ethics in Public Affairs (CCEPA) is a jointly sponsored research centre affiliated with the Atlantic School of Theology and Saint Mary's University.History
The Atlantic School of Theology was founded in 1971 and formally incorporated on June 28, 1974, by an Act of the Legislature of Nova Scotia. Atlantic School of Theology is accredited by the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada.AST was formed in 1971 through a merger of the following institutions:
- Faculty of Theology, University of King's CollegeUniversity of King's CollegeThe University of King's College is a post-secondary institution in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. King's is a small liberal arts university offering mainly undergraduate programs....
(Anglican Church of CanadaAnglican Church of CanadaThe Anglican Church of Canada is the Province of the Anglican Communion in Canada. The official French name is l'Église Anglicane du Canada. The ACC is the third largest church in Canada after the Roman Catholic Church and the United Church of Canada, consisting of 800,000 registered members...
) - Holy Heart Seminary (Roman Catholic ChurchRoman Catholic ChurchThe Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
) - Pine Hill Divinity Hall (United Church of CanadaUnited Church of CanadaThe United Church of Canada is a Protestant Christian denomination in Canada. It is the largest Protestant church and, after the Roman Catholic Church, the second-largest Christian church in Canada...
)
Theological Education has been delivered in the property in Halifax since 1878. AST occupies the former campus of Pine Hill Divinity Hall situated along the Northwest Arm
Northwest Arm
The Northwest Arm, originally named Sandwich River, is an inlet in eastern Canada off the Atlantic Ocean in Nova Scotia's Halifax Regional Municipality.-Geography:...
on Franklyn Street.
The school received its provincial charter to grant degrees in 1974 from the government of Nova Scotia. In 2002, AST and nearby Saint Mary's University signed an agreement whereby the two institutions "will explore joint projects and economies."http://astheology.ns.ca/abtHistory.htm
Degree programs
AST, along with the Acadia Divinity CollegeAcadia Divinity College
Acadia Divinity College is a seminary of the Convention of Atlantic Baptist Churches and is located on the campus of Acadia University in Nova Scotia's Annapolis Valley...
, are the only theological training institutions in Atlantic Canada
Atlantic Canada
Atlantic Canada is the region of Canada comprising the four provinces located on the Atlantic coast, excluding Quebec: the three Maritime provinces – New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Nova Scotia – and Newfoundland and Labrador...
. AST is accredited by the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada
Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada
The Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada is an organization of seminaries and other graduate schools of theology. ATS has its headquarters in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and has more than 250 member institutions...
. Its main programs are those leading to the degrees of Master of Divinity
Master of Divinity
In the academic study of theology, the Master of Divinity is the first professional degree of the pastoral profession in North America...
and Master of Theological Studies
Master of Theological Studies
A Master of Theological Studies is a general academic degree that gives students an introduction to advanced theological studies. The M.T.S usually requires two years of program study to complete. The Latin equivalent for M.T.S...
.
AST also offers an Adult Education Certificate in Theological Studies and a Graduate Certificate Program in Theological Studies on campus or through the Internet. It offers a Master of Arts
Master of Arts (postgraduate)
A Master of Arts from the Latin Magister Artium, is a type of Master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The M.A. is usually contrasted with the M.S. or M.Sc. degrees...
in Religious Studies and Theology, in collaboration with Saint Mary's University. The Atlantic School of Theology ecumenical program also prepares chaplains for service in the Canadian Forces
Canadian Forces
The Canadian Forces , officially the Canadian Armed Forces , are the unified armed forces of Canada, as constituted by the National Defence Act, which states: "The Canadian Forces are the armed forces of Her Majesty raised by Canada and consist of one Service called the Canadian Armed Forces."...
.
See also
- Higher education in Nova ScotiaHigher education in Nova Scotia- Introduction :Higher Education in Nova Scotia refers to education provided by higher education institutions. In Canada, education is the responsibility of the provinces and there is no Canadian federal ministry governing education...
- List of universities in Nova Scotia
further reading
- Carol Ann Goodine “Origins of Atlantic School of Theology.” (Halifax NS: M.A thesis St.Mary’s University, 1993)