Seminarians who apply via St. Joseph Seminary are pre-screened by the seminary and all admission documents are submitted to the College directly via the Seminary. 

Seminarians admitted by this route do not have a screening interview to enter programs for ministry, nor do they participate in THEO 020 Lay Formation. Such students will typically begin their program by taking the SAF 101 Spiritual Internship Year. They cannot apply for government student loan funding during this first year. 

MPS 339P Field Education for such students on programs for ministry lasts for 8 months during which they undergo a supervised placement in a parish. Seminarians are required to meet ordination requirements over and above the requirements of the degree to which they have been admitted. 

Applicants for the Bachelor of Theology degree 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. Screening interviews are held to determine the candidate’s aptitude for ministry. A second Mid-Program Assessment for lay students will be held prior to the student’s participation in MPS 339 Theological Field Education to determine readiness for practicum learning. Ongoing evaluation may result in a student being asked to interrupt or to leave the program for reasons over and above academic competence.

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

• Submit a completed Application Form online and pay the non-refundable application fee through our Crossroad application portal. 
• Arrange for official high school transcripts and transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended to be sent directly to Admissions from the issuing educational authority. No photocopies allowed.
• Submit an autobiography and curriculum vitae.;
• Letters of reference  from three persons qualified to judge the applicant’s character and intellectual ability as well as aptitude for ministry.
• Submit a Security Clearance Check* obtained six months or less from the submission of the application package.

*Guidelines for the autobiography, curriculum vitae, letters of reference and Security Clearance Check can be obtained from Admissions. 

When all required documentation is received the applicant’s file will be reviewed. Applicants conditionally admitted will have an interview with three members of the faculty. The interview team is responsible for recommending that the conditional admission be changed to a full admission. The interviewers may also advise that admission to the program is not recommended. 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.

The B.Th. is awarded upon completion of 90 credits including:

• 75 core credits

• 15 elective credits

• Full-time and part-time students are required to participate in THEO 020 Lay Formation for six semesters

B.Th. education expects regular and substantive student-faculty interaction to achieve the stipulated learning outcomes, and this interaction requires that at least one year of full-time academic study (30 credits) shall be completed at our main campus.

Core Courses

Foundational Theology

6 Credits

FND 211  Early Church History

Plus one of:

FND 221 Medieval Church History 

OR

FND 231  Modern Church History 

Sacred Scriptures

18 Credits

SCR 100  Introduction to Sacred Scriptures and their Interpretation*

Plus five of:

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

Systematic Theology

24 Credits

SYT 100 Introduction to Theology*
SYT 184 Christology*
SYT 214  Introduction to the Sacraments and Christian Initiation
SYT 215  Liturgical Theology
SYT 240  Theological Anthropology
SYT 288  Ecclesiology
SYT 308  The Theology of Revelation
SYT 385  Theology of God

Moral, Pastoral, and Spiritual Theology

21 Credits

MPS 100  Introduction to Pastoral Theology
MPS 120  Introduction to Moral Theology
MPS 170  Introduction to Spiritual Theology
MPS 222  The Social Teaching of the Church
MPS 230  Theology of Ministry
MPS 339  Theological Field Education (6 Credits)

Philosophy

6 Credits

PHIL 100 Introduction to Philosophy*
PHIL XXX Elective at any level 

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

Electives 

15 Credits 

Can be taken from any undergraduate courses.  Undergraduate Course Descriptions

Eastern Route Outline 

Foundational Theology

6 Credits

    FND 211          Early Church History

{

OR

FND 310

Patristic Theology

And

FND 221

Medieval Church History

{

OR

FND 231

Modern Church History 

Sacred Scriptures

18 Credits

SCR 100               Introduction to Sacred Scriptures and
                                their Interpretation*

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

Systematic Theology

24 Credits

SYT 105 Introduction to Eastern Christian Theology
SYT 184 Christology*
SYT 189 Eastern Christian Doctrine I: Trinity, Christ, and the Holy Spirit
SYT 190 Eastern Christian Doctrine II: Humanity, Salvation, Eschatology and the Church
SYT 216 The Holy Mysteries: Byzantine Sacraments
SYT 225 Byzantine Liturgical Theology 
SYT 288 Ecclesiology 
SYT 308 The Theology of Revelation

Moral, Pastoral, and Spiritual Theology

21 Credits

MPS 100  Introduction to Pastoral Theology
MPS 121  Eastern Christian Moral Theology 
MPS 222 The Social Teaching of the Church 
MPS 230  Theology of Ministry
MPS 339  Theological Field Education (6 credits)

And
       MPS 170       Introduction to Spiritual Theology
{ OR
       MPS 384       Theology and Spirituality of Icons

Philosophy

PHIL XXX            Elective at any level
PHIL XXX            Elective at any level

* Courses must be taken in the First Year of Studies.

** Students who take this SCR 261 or SCR 362 cannot take SCR 260 Synoptic Gospels for credit.

Electives

Can be taken from any undergraduate courses.

THEO 020 Lay Formation
Non-Credit 6 Semesters

A process of spiritual, human and pastoral formation for all lay students. This process facilitates growth in human maturity, spiritual development, health and wellness, personal integrity and professional development. It recognizes the interrelatedness in life of theological education, human maturing, and the universal call to holiness. It will draw from Scripture, the rich spiritual traditions of the Church and from the social sciences.

Those on or admitted to programs requiring THEO 020 Lay Formation but who will be undergoing an external human formation program e.g., via their seminary/religious house of formation or those in diaconate formation may fill our a form to waive this course. For those who have already completed formation for ministry such as ordained ministers at time of admission, a supplementary letter of good standing must be attached to this form along with a letter of permission of the Ordinary of the student/applicant granting permission to embark on the program having first discussed with this the local Ordinary of the Archdiocese of Edmonton

Students who enter the program having completed the NTC Diploma in Theological Studies or the Diploma of Theology will be granted advanced standing of 60 credits towards the B.Th. degree. Students who enter the program with an equivalency to the NTC Diploma in Theological Studies or Diploma of Theology may be subject to further core requirements. Students who enter the program having completed the NTC Certificate of Theology will be granted advanced standing of 30 credits towards the B.Th. degree.

Students may transfer in a maximum of 21 credits towards the B.Th. degree from other recognized colleges and universities. The transfer of credit is subject to the approval of the NTC Admissions and Evaluations Committee.

The program is ideal for students preparing to work in pastoral ministry, sacramental preparation, catechesis, social justice work, youth work and health care ministry, although some of these areas will need further formal training.

Having completed my Bachelor of Theology degree at Newman, I feel very grateful for this opportunity to increase both my knowledge and understanding of my faith - and in the process my faith itself. I was first drawn to Newman because of intellectual curiosity, and a belief that the greater my knowledge of the Church and its teachings, the better I could serve the various commitments I have been entrusted with as a lay member of the Archdiocese of Vancouver. This has proven to be the case.

Newman Theological College provides an excellent environment from which to grow and develop intellectually and spiritually. The academic programs and the individual courses are well structured, comprehensive and challenging. The professors, teaching staff and entire support team are excellent. All are committed to both Newman's mandate and your personal learning experience. Newman Theological College truly reflects the best of the rich Catholic intellectual and learning tradition. Whatever your goals, and or, responsibilities are, you will benefit immensely from the Newman experience, and in turn, be better prepared for the challenges and opportunities ahead.

William McCarthy, Property Manager, Developer and Consultant, Burnaby, BC. Bachelor of Theology graduate 2013.

After my ordination as a deacon, it quickly became apparent that I needed to be committed to ongoing learning about my Church and my faith. It was extremely challenging however, to find a quality learning opportunity that would accommodate both my busy work schedule and Diaconate responsibilities. The NTC online Bachelor of Theology program is a perfect fit. The flexibility that online* learning provides is invaluable for my hectic life. Although, better than the flexibility, is the quality of the program itself. The teaching is solidly Catholic and has enhanced my ministry, particularly my preaching, immeasurably. The courses are engaging and have brought me to a much greater appreciation of the depth and breadth of Catholic theology. The staff and the professors are absolutely committed to their students and have consistently gone out of their way to assist me when needed. The NTC B.Th. program is an ideal program for anyone who wants to grow in their understanding of our faith and the Church. I particularly recommend it to my brother deacons.

Joe Murphy, Permanent Deacon in Brampton, ON. Currently studying at NTC towards a B.Th.

*(The B.Th. program is not currently available completely at a distance please refer to the Dip.Th.)

After a couple years of parish youth ministry, I came to realize that both my faith and my service to the Church required further formation, and at the encouragement of my parish priest, I explored the possibility of studying at Newman Theological College. For both my own faith as well as my service to the Church, it is an experience I am very grateful for. My five years of studies provided me an opportunity to begin to more clearly understand the faith that I love, and to help better pass that faith on to the young people I've served. Completing my BTh gave me the opportunity to fill in my enthusiasm to share the faith with a clearer ability to understand and articulate my faith to others. My time at Newman College has both helped form me as a better man as well as made me much more effective in my ministry.

Mike Landry, youth worker (NTC Alumnus, B.Th. 2009)

More Testimonials

Tuition and Fees (per term) - 2025/2026

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

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