Alberta Students Admission Requirements

Applicants for the Bachelor of Arts degree in Catholic Studies must normally present their Alberta High School Diploma with a minimum admission average of 60% and a passing grade in each Grade 12 level subject as follows:

• English Language Arts 30-1

• Four subjects from Group A, B, C, or D 

Group A= Humanities 

Group B= Fine Art

Group C= Sciences

Group D= Other

For Alberta applicants, admission averages are calculated using the blended grade that appears on the official Alberta Education transcript.

• Submit a 1-page application resume.

Other Canadian Province Students Admission Requirements

Applicants for the Bachelor of Arts degree in Catholic Studies must normally present their Provincial High School Diploma with a minimum admission average of 60% and a passing grade in each Grade 12 level subject as follows:

• English Language Arts 30-1

• Four subjects from Group A, B, C, or D 

Group A= Humanities 

Group B= Fine Art

Group C= Sciences

Group D= Other

The admission average is calculated using the best five Grade 12 subjects required for admission to the degree program (including ELA 30-1 equivalent).

• Submit a 1-page application resume.

Homeschooled Students Admission Requirements

NTC recognises and welcomes applicants from a homeschooled background, provided that they can show equivalency. Alberta High School Diploma Equivalency (with English Language Arts 30-1) can be shown by submission of any of the following up-to-date test scores and giving evidence of prior learning from Grades 10 through to 12:

• SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test) score of 950

• ACT (American College Test) score of 20

• CLT (Classic Learning Test) score of 58

Or

Self- Recorded Homeschool Transcript in place of an official secondary school transcript. Must show completion of at least five academic subjects at Grade 12 level, including English. A minimum admission average of 60% is required and a passing grade in each 30 level subject as follows:

• English Language Arts 

• Four subjects from Group A, B, C, or D. 

Group A=Humanities 

Group B= Fine Art

Group C= Sciences

Group D= Other

In either case, we prefer that applicants include a diploma exam result for ENGL 30-1 as an objective measure of a students’ readiness to embark on the reading and comprehensive demands of the program; alternatively, a portfolio of high school work can be submitted along with the application package materials. Applicants should submit 3 items that will make up their portfolio, one of which must be a written essay of 1000 words.

• Submit a 1-page application resume.

International Admission Requirements

Applicants from the U.S.A for the Bachelor of Arts degree in Catholic Studies must normally present their Grade 12 diploma from an accredited high school or other educational institution with a 60% admission average, and course equivalents to Alberta Education Grade 12 subject requirements for this program. Equivalency can also be shown by submission of any of the following up-to-date test scores and giving evidence of prior learning from Grades 10 through to 12:

• SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test) score of 950

• ACT (American College Test) score of 20

• CLT (Classic Learning Test) score of 58

Applicants from Other Countries for the Bachelor of Arts degree in Catholic Studies must normally present their Grade 12 diploma from an accredited high school or other educational institution with a 60% admission average, and course equivalents to Alberta Education Grade 12 subject requirements for this program. Equivalency can also be shown by submission of any of the following up-to-date test scores and giving evidence of prior learning from Grades 10 through to 12:

• SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test) score of 950.

• ACT (American College Test) score of 20.

• CLT (Classic Learning Test) score of 58.

All international transcripts must be translated into English at the applicant’s expense and by an approved third-party transcript translation organisation such as World Education Services (WES) or the International Qualifications Assessment Services (IQAS).

• Submit a 1-page application resume.

• Submit a completed Application Form online and pay the non-refundable application fee through our Crossroad application portal. Fall intake only for this program. 
• Arrange for official high school transcripts, SAT, ACT, or CLT test scores, Self- Recorded Homeschool Transcript, and transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended to be sent directly to Admissions from the issuing educational authority. Self- Recorded Homeschool Transcript Templates are available in hard copy in Student Services or

When all required documentation is received, the applicant’s file will be reviewed. 

Students that are in any program of study at NTC under the sponsorship of a Religious Community or Seminary, once they have begun a process of leaving the Religious Community or Seminary, must notify the Registrar immediately and reapply and, if necessary, be screened through the usual process for a lay student for entry into a pastoral program. An explanatory letter from the Religious Community or Seminary where they previously were in formation must accompany their reapplication to any program. They need not leave their studies unless they need time to compile the documents required for submission as part of the application process. No readmission fees would apply.

This program is a Designated Learning Program and eligible to receive foreign nationals on a study permit.  See International Student Admissions for DLI number.

First YEAR COURSES

Philosophy

(9 Credits)

PHIL 110 Historical Introduction to Philosophy I 
PHIL 111 Historical Introduction to Philosophy II 
PHIL 120 Logic and the Art of Reasoning

Foundational Theology

(15 Credits)

FND 110 Introduction to Catholic Studies I 
FND 111 Introduction to Catholic Studies II 
FND 130 Way of Beauty: Sacred Fine Arts I 
FND 131 Way of Beauty: Sacred Fine Arts II 

English 

(3 Credits)

ENG 106 Writing and the Art of Rhetoric

Sacred Scriptures

(6 Credits)

SCR 110 The Old Testament
SCR 115 The New Testament

SECOND & THIRD YEAR COURSES

Philosophy

(18 Credits)

PHIL 220 Social & Political Thought 

PHIL 240 Philosophy of Human Nature

PHIL 241 Philosophy of Nature

PHIL 243 Thomistic Metaphysics 

PHIL 330 Ethics 

PHIL 400 Senior Research Thesis & Defense

Foundational Theology

(6 Credits)

FND 260 The Catechism of the Catholic Church: Development, Theological Perspectives
FND 310 Patristic Theology

Languages

(6 Credits)

LNG 101 Fundamentals of Latin I

LNG 102 Fundamentals of Latin II 

OR

LNG 111 Fundamentals of Biblical Greek I

LNG 112 Fundamentals of Biblical Greek II 

Literature

(12 Credits)

LIT 201 Literature I: Greek and Roman 

LIT 202 Literature II: Medieval

LIT 301 Literature III: Early Modern Victorian

LIT 302 Literature IV: Modern Contemporary

Breadth Elective Courses

(9 Credits)

Natural Science Course 100/200 level 
(3 Credits) 

Natural Science or Math Course 100/200 level 
(3 Credits) *

Social or Natural Science Course 200 Level (can be substituted with PHIL 340 Epistemology) 
(3 Credits)

General Electives 200/300 Level

(9 Credits)

PHIL, FND, SCR, MPS, SYT, LIT only (3 credit* max. for LIT)

General Electives 300 Level

(3 Credits)

PHIL, FND, SCR, MPS, or SYT only.

* Students who are considering moving on to a program in Education should be aware that a Math course is required and they should choose their breadth elective courses accordingly. Students may transfer in these 9 breadth elective credits towards the B.A.(CATH) degree from other recognized colleges and universities. Credits, but not marks, are transferred. The transfer of credit is subject to the approval of the NTC Admissions and Evaluations Committee.

Program Goal: The program will provide: Broad familiarity with the contributions of Catholicism to Western Culture

Learning Outcomes: A graduate will be able to:

• critically assess principal themes, persons, literary and artistic works of Western Civilization as illustrated through representative ‘Great Books’, situate them in their historical context, and set them in conversation;

• explain how the totality of Sacred Scripture, as interpreted with the mind of the Church, unveils the saving mission of Jesus Christ; 

• recount and analyze instances where the Catholic Church has influenced and been influenced by key literary, philosophical, historical and artistic works within Western Civilization;

• Program Goal: The program will provide: Knowledge of major Western philosophical disciplines, especially Thomism 

• Learning Outcomes: A graduate will be able to:

• independently assess the distinction between and complementary nature of the principles of faith and reason;

• evaluate the various meanings of the term ‘wisdom’—speculative and practical, philosophical and theological, acquired and infused;

• distinguish the principal liberal arts and sciences by their proper subject matters, principles, methods, and modes of argument;

• critically analyze, with reference to the natural moral law, what is meant by happiness and the common good;

• articulate how key metaphysical, moral, and epistemological principles of St. Thomas Aquinas can be brought into creative dialogue with alternative philosophical traditions;

Program Goal: The program will provide: Skills in reading, writing and oral communication

Learning Outcomes: A graduate will be able to:

• comprehend and independently interpret the structure and arguments of primary texts within a variety of disciplines;

• write and orally present ideas in clear, persuasive, English;

• express one’s own views persuasively and charitably, and ask thoughtful questions of another person who holds a contrary opinion;

• independently identify and analyze pattern, harmony, symmetry, and order in works of nature and art, and apply techniques illustrated in exemplary models to create original works;

• Program Goal: The program will provide: Skills in logical analysis and research

Learning Outcomes: A graduate will be able to:

• express the difference between knowledge and opinion, and to know when a proposition is held from experience or as the result of argument from prior principle;

• define and correctly independently apply various research methodologies;

Program Goal: The program will provide: Opportunity for growth in Christian discipleship

Learning Outcomes: A graduate will be able to:

• demonstrate the virtues of courtesy, integrity, and justice towards others while working in the context of a Christian academic community;

• critically assess the value of the Catholic Church’s liturgical, devotional and moral disciplines.

Tuition and Fees (per term) - 2025/2026

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

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is this BA fully accredited?

   Yes. This BA is a fully accredited program by the Government of Alberta.

2. How will I afford this?

   We believe that an extraordinary education should yet remain affordable. Thanks to the generosity of donors, our tuition remains competitive. Take your BA at NTC and, over three years, you could save thousands in your education costs and graduate one year sooner than four year Canadian undergraduate degree programs. NTC also offers a wide range of bursaries and work-study opportunities for students. Apply here for scholarship opportunities.

3. Is this offered online?

   No. When you sign up for our BA, you will be joining an intensive community of faith and learning. You can certainly learn some things at a distance but intensive discipleship requires your whole presence, mind, heart, and body.

4. Is there on-campus housing?

   We currently do not offer on campus housing but we can connect you with the resources you need to find accommodations as well as other students seeking lodging near our campus. Speak with our Dean of Students for more information.