Certificate of Theology Program (C.Th.)

The Certificate of Theology (C.Th.) is a 30 credit undergraduate program in theology. It is intended to give students a basic understanding of theology for personal interest, as a component in preparation for ministry, or in preparation for further study.

There are four routes for this program, namely a General Lay Route, a Sacred Scripture Route, a Diaconate Route, and an Anglican Route. The requirements for candidates of the diaconate include additional formational and ordination requirements.

Note: The Certificate of Theology is not intended to qualify a student for ministry on its own.

Instruction delivery mode: The program can be taken fully online, fully on-campus, or through a combination of on-campus and online courses.

Completion timeline: The program can be completed on a part-time basis over 2 years, or by taking as few as one course per academic year.

Bursaries available: Please contact the Dean of Students for details.

Admission Requirements

Applicants for the Certificate of Theology must have an Alberta High School Diploma (with English 30) or its equivalent. Applicants, 30 years of age or older, who do not have a high school diploma may also be admitted upon successful completion of English 30 or an acceptable equivalent.  At present we are not able to offer Distance Education courses to residents of the U.S.A., but we welcome inquiries from anyone so interested.

This program is not Designated and ineligible to receive foreign nationals on a study permit.

Procedure for Admission
  • Apply through our online application portal and pay the non-refundable application fee (see Tuition and Fees).
  • Arrange for official high school transcripts and transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended to be sent directly to the Registrar’s Office from the issuing educational authority.
  • Letters of reference from two persons qualified to judge the applicant’s character and intellectual ability.
  • Applicants for the diaconate route also require a letter of permission from their bishop or his designate.

When all required documentation is received the applicant’s file will be reviewed by the Admissions & Evaluations Committee.

Transfer Credits

Students who enter the program having completed courses from the Certificate in Catholic Studies (CCS) program at Newman Theological College will be granted advanced standing of 3 elective credits for each 6 unique C.C.S. courses towards their undergraduate studies at Newman Theological College, to a maximum of 6 elective credits towards the C.Th. program. Students may transfer in a maximum of 6 credits towards the C.Th. program from other recognized colleges and universities. The transfer of credit is subject to the approval of the NTC Admissions and Evaluations Committee.

Students on the Anglican route may complete the Formation for Missional Ministry Program of the Anglican Diocese of Edmonton. This program has been pre-approved for transfer of three (3) elective credits towards the Certificate of Theology Anglican Route upon submission of a certificate showing successful completion.

Most undergraduate courses are offered in conjunction with graduate courses, with an appropriate distinction in workload and expectations. In addition to the courses listed above, students who have been admitted to the C.Th. program may take certain courses for credit from the graduate course listing with the approval of their Faculty Advisor and the Academic Dean.

Cost of Education

Tuition and Fees (per term) - 2023/2024

Tuition (full course load 15 credits, $262/credit, $786.00 per course)

 

$3930.00

Non-instructional Fees*

 

$190.00

Books and Supplies (approx.)

 

$650.00

Year 1 Total (Tuition, fees, books for full course load 30 credits)

 

$9450.00

*Full-time student fees include Administration fee, Library fee and Students' Association fee.

Lay Certificate Requirements

This C.Th. is awarded upon completion of 30 credits including:

  • 21 core credits.
  • 9 elective credits.

General Outline - C.Th. Lay

Lay Formation THEO 020 - optional

Core Courses

* Courses must be taken in the First Year of Studies
** Students who take SCR 261 or SCR 362 cannot take SCR 260 The Synoptic Gospels for credit. 

Foundational Theology

(3 Credits)

One of:
FND 211 Early Church History
-OR-
FND 221 Medieval Church History

Sacred Scriptures

(6 Credits)

SCR 100 Introduction to Sacred Scriptures and their Interpretation*
SCR 260 Synoptic Gospels**

Systematic Theology

(9 Credits)

SYT 100 Introduction to Theology*

plus two of:

SYT 184 Christology
SYT 214 Introduction to the Sacraments and Christian Initiation
SYT 215 Liturgical Theology

Moral, Pastoral, and Spiritual Theology

(3 Credits)

MPS 120 Introduction to Moral Theology

Electives

(9 Credits)

see Undergraduate Course Descriptions

Please consult your Faculty Advisor as to which elective courses would be most appropriate.

Sacred Scripture Certificate Requirements

The Sacred Scripture route is ideal for all who have a strong desire to engage at a deeper level with the study of Sacred Scripture and their interpretation in the Catholic tradition, whether for personal growth and faith development, or as part of an on-going professional development within their ecclesial ministry.

In particular, the C.Th. Sacred Scripture route will further equip catechists, youth ministers, deacons, chaplains, and those involved in supporting the mission of the Church, with the skills to approach the task of interpreting Sacred Scripture with the mind of the Church for the good of the People of God in our time.

This C.Th. is awarded upon completion of 30 credits including:

  • 18 core credits.
  • 12 elective credits.

General Outline - C.Th. Sacred Scripture

Core Courses

* Courses must be taken in the First Year of Studies
** Students who take SCR 261 or SCR 362 cannot take SCR 260 The Synoptic Gospels for credit.

Sacred Scriptures

(18 Credits)

SCR 100 Introduction to Sacred Scriptures and their Interpretation*

plus five courses from the following:

SCR 253 Pentateuch and Historical Books
SCR 254 Prophets
SCR 260 The Synoptic Gospels
SCR 261 Matthew-Mark**
SCR 351 Psalms and Wisdom Literature
SCR 355 Pauline Literature
SCR 362 Luke-Acts**
SCR 366 Johannine Literature

Electives

(12 Credits)

Can be taken from any undergraduate course. The following courses are recommended options:

Systematic Theology

SYT 100 Introduction to Theology
SYT 184 Christology
SYT 308 Theology of Revelation

Moral, Pastoral, and Spiritual Theology

MPS 120 Introduction to Moral Theology

Certificate in Catholic Studies Courses Transfer Credit

Possibility to transfer 6 CCS courses for one elective course (3 credits) or 12 CCS courses for two elective courses (6 credits)

see Undergraduate Course Descriptions

Please consult your Faculty Advisor as to which elective courses would be most appropriate.

Diaconate Certificate Requirements

Candidates for the diaconate route of the C.Th. program must be sponsored by their diocese. This route forms one part of the participating diocesan diaconate formation program and is not meant to be comprehensive. The usual ordination requirements apply.

This C.Th. is awarded upon completion of 30 credits including:

  • 24 core credits.
  • 6 elective credits.

General Outline - C.Th. Diaconate


Core Courses

* Courses must be taken in the First Year of Studies
** Students who take SCR 261 or SCR 362 cannot take SCR 260 The Synoptic Gospels for credit. 

Sacred Scriptures

(6 Credits)

SCR 100 Introduction to Sacred Scriptures and their Interpretation*
SCR 260 Synoptic Gospels**

Systematic Theology

(15 Credits)

SYT 184 Christology
SYT 214 Introduction to the Sacraments and Christian Initiation
SYT 288 Ecclesiology
SYT 308 The Theology of Revelation
SYT 385 Theology of God

Moral, Pastoral, and Spiritual Theology

(3 Credits)

MPS 120 Introduction to Moral Theology

Electives

(6 Credits)

see Undergraduate Course Descriptions

Please consult your Faculty Advisor as to which elective courses would be most appropriate.

Anglican Certificate Requirements

The Anglican studies route of the C.Th. is designed to form one part of a ministry formation program in preparation for various lay and ordained ministries in the Anglican diocese of Edmonton. Additional educational, formational, and ordination requirements may apply, as determined by the Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Edmonton. Students interested in the Anglican studies route C.Th. should consult with the Faculty Advisor for Anglican Students at NTC prior to beginning their studies.

This C.Th. is awarded upon completion of 30 credits including:

  • 21 core credits.
  • 9 elective credits.

General Outline - C.Th. Anglican


Core Courses

* Courses must be taken in the First Year of Studies
** Students who take SCR 261 or SCR 362 cannot take SCR 260 The Synoptic Gospels for credit. 

Foundational Theology

(6 Credits)

FND 250 Anglican Tradition

One of:

FND 211 Early Church History
- OR -
FND 231 Modern Church History

Sacred Scriptures

(6 Credits)

SCR 100 Introduction to Sacred Scriptures and their Interpretation*
SCR 260 Synoptic Gospels

Systematic Theology

(6 Credits)

SYT 100 Introduction to Theology*
SYT 184 Christology

Moral, Pastoral, and Spiritual Theology

(3 Credits)

MPS 100 Introduction to Pastoral Theology

Electives

(9 Credits)

Please consult your Faculty Advisor as to which elective courses would be most appropriate. 

Students will complete 3 elective courses for a total of nine (9) credits.  Preference will be given to the following when available:

MPS 283 Preaching in the Anglican Tradition
MPS 382 Ritual in the Anglican Tradition

see Undergraduate Course Descriptions

Eastern Certificate Requirements

This C.Th. is awarded upon completion of 30 credits including:

  • 21 core credits.
  • 9 elective credits.

General Outline - C.Th. Eastern

Lay Formation THEO 020 - optional

Core Courses

* Courses must be taken in the First Year of Studies
** Students who take SCR 261 or SCR 362 cannot take SCR 260 The Synoptic Gospels for credit. 

Foundational Theology

(3 Credits)

One of:
FND 211 Early Church History
-OR-
FND 207E Eastern Christianity 
-OR-
 FND 310 Patristic Theology

Sacred Scriptures

(9 Credits)

SCR 100 Introduction to Sacred Scriptures and their Interpretation*
SCR 260 Synoptic Gospels**
SCR 253 The Pentateuch and Historical Books

Systematic Theology

(6 Credits)

SYT 184 Christology
 -OR-
SYT 186E Eastern Christian Doctrine: Trinity, Christ, and Holy Spirit

Plus one of
SYT 214 Introduction to the Sacraments and Christian Initiation
 -OR-
SYT 215 Liturgical Theology
 -OR-
SYT 216E The Holy Mysteries: Byzantine Sacraments
-OR-
SYT 217E Byzantine Eucharist Liturgies

Moral, Pastoral, and Spiritual Theology

(3 Credits)

One of MPS 100 Introduction to Pastoral Theology
-OR-
MPS 222 Catholic Social Teaching
-OR-
MPS 368E Marriage in the Eastern Catholic Churches: Canonical Issues
-OR-
MPS 384E Theology and Spirituality of Icons

Electives

(9 Credits)

see Undergraduate Course Descriptions

Please consult your Faculty Advisor as to which elective courses would be most appropriate.

Watch what our students have to say about studying Sacred Scripture.