About Newman Theological College
Newman Theological College
Newman Theological College was founded in 1969 by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Edmonton, Alberta. The College is a private, Roman Catholic academic institution dedicated to the study of theology and related disciplines.
The College offers graduate-level programs and classes in theology and religious education during the day, in the evening and via the internet. The College is an accredited member of the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada. To learn more about our namesake, John Henry Cardinal Newman, please click here.
Mission Statement
Newman Theological College is a private Roman Catholic School of Theology committed to the provision of theological education to Christian women and men. The College prepares laity, religious, and ordained ministers for service and leadership to meet the needs of the Church in Western Canada.
A Roman Catholic School of Theology
Newman Theological College was founded in 1969 in the wake of the Second Vatican Council by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Edmonton, Alberta. The college grew out of the existing structure of St. Joseph Seminary which had already opened its doors in 1967 to lay people and religious for the study of theology.
The College is a private, Catholic academic institution dedicated to the study of theology and related disciplines. Its charter to confer degrees was originally granted by the Legislative Assembly of Alberta on April 29, 1969. The College is an accredited member of the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada.
The College carries out its mission for the Church in an ongoing partnership with St. Joseph Seminary whose particular mission is the human, spiritual and pastoral formation of future diocesan priests. Both institutions remain distinct, interdependent, and complementary. Several Religious Orders of men and women collaborate with Newman Theological College in fulfilling its mission. Lay men and women have made and continue to make a significant contribution.
Theological Education
Theology is situated within the broader evangelizing teaching-educating mission of the Church that comes from Christ himself. As is seen in the formation of the books of the New Testament, the special ministry of theology has been operative in the Church from Apostolic times. Theology is primarily a faith-filled intellectual, systematic, sustained, comprehensive and critical pursuit that probes and clarifies the meaning of Christian life in the light of the Revelation of God. It seeks to understand and integrate in lived Christian reality the inexhaustible gift of God’s Truth and Love in Jesus Christ and the impact of this gift on every facet of Christian life: contemplative, apologetic, pastoral, spiritual, liturgical, inter-disciplinary, social and aesthetic. At NTC, we attempt to grasp a right understanding of the main issues of belief and behavior in response both to the needs, problems, questions and challenges of the contemporary world and to the joy-filled urgency of the proclamation of the Word of God.
Christian theology at NTC is grounded in the divine-human drama which unfolds historically in Israel, Christ, and the Church. As a result, at NTC we study the special documentary witness to this history in Scripture and Tradition with the methodology and perspective embraced by the mind of the Church and required by all the historical documents.
The goal of theological education at Newman is the capacity for Christian service and leadership in the contemporary Church and world.Theological reflection on ministry is a part of every professional degree.
Spiritual formation and growth is integral to the preparation of men and women for service and leadership in the Church. Lay spiritual formation at Newman Theological College draws from scripture and the many spiritualities in Christian tradition. It facilitates growth in discipleship and in living gospel values, recognizing the interrelatedness in life of theological education, human maturing, and the universal call to holiness. We invite students to discover and develop a deeper relationship with the God of Jesus Christ, and to find the workings of the Holy Spirit in their daily lives.
A welcoming, personable and worshipping community is important to theological studies at Newman. We seek to incorporate in our communal life what is taught and learned. Students, staff and faculty are encouraged to participate in worship as well as community and social events. The learning goals of students at Newman are varied. Some students prepare for the ordained ministry; others for lay ministry; still others attend Newman for personal faith enrichment and theological renewal. All men and women who have the necessary prerequisites for the various programs are welcome. Various teaching methodologies are used to respond better to the needs and learning styles of the adults enrolled at Newman.
Newman Theological College, as an academic institution of higher learning in service to the Church, promotes that deepest satisfaction which derives from reflective discipleship of the crucified and risen Lord Jesus.
Christian Women and Men; Laity, Religious and Ordained Ministers
Newman Theological College recognizes respects and supports the diversity of churches and church traditions within the Catholic communion. Courses in Eastern Christianity are offered and the Eastern Christian perspective is incorporated into existing courses wherever possible. This sensitivity to diversity also extends to the ecumenical dimension of Christian theology. The College has students and professors from other Christian churches and it offers courses in some of these traditions. There is also an awareness of the increasing importance of the knowledge of and dialogue with other world religions.
Service and Leadership
Newman Theological College’s educational mission is to prepare men and women to assume roles of Christian service and leadership in the church and the world. This mission is realized through diploma and certificate programs as well as through basic and advanced degree programs in theology and religious education. There are two basic graduate degree programs in theological studies:
- The Master of Divinity program prepares students theologically and professionally for ordained and lay ministry;
- The Master of Theological Studies program provides students with an academic approach to theology.
- The Master of Theology is an advanced graduate degree program that prepares students for the ministry of teaching and other specialized ministries.
- The Master of Religious Education is an advanced graduate degree program that prepares specialists for research in religious education, theology and Catholic school administration.
The Church in Western Canada
Newman Theological College strives to remain open to the global dimensions of theology in the church and in the world today as well as to be particularly aware of the western and northern Canadian context with its own experiences, problems and approaches. The important ministry of theological education is Newman’s invaluable contribution to the life and mission of the Church in western Canada.