UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMS OF STUDY

C.Th. Certificate of Theology
Dip.Th. Diploma of Theology
B.Th. Bachelor of Theology
B.A.(CATH) Bachelor of Arts in Catholic Studies

GRADUATE THEOLOGY PROGRAMS OF STUDY

M.T.S.  Master of Theological Studies
M.Div. Master of Divinity
M.Th.   Master of Theology

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION PROGRAMS OF STUDY

G.C.C.S.A. Graduate Certificate in Catholic School Administration
M.R.E. Master of Religious Education

The academic year consists of a fall semester of approximately 15 weeks (September-December), and a winter semester of approximately 15 weeks (January-April). Limited course offerings are available during intersession (May-June) and summer school (July).

Applications to NTC are accepted at any time during the academic year for all undergraduate and graduate programs. Faith formation programs such as the C.C.S. program and the Enculturation Program for International Priests, which fall under the Benedict XVI Institute for New Evangelization (BXVI), have unique admission deadlines- please see the relevant sections under each program in this Academic Calendar for further details. Application Forms can be printed off from the website or picked up in the Student Services foyer on campus. Please see the individual admission document requirements for specific programs under the relevant section in the Academic Calendar.

Please note: All reference letters must have been written within the last six months. If, at any time, it is discovered that a student has been admitted on the basis of falsified documents or information, then the admission will immediately be terminated and no future admissions allowed.

All applicants to NTC are given equal consideration. Possession of minimum academic requirements does not guarantee admission to the college. Conversely, applications for admission that do not meet the minimum admission criteria may be considered by the Admissions and Evaluations Committee. NTC reserves the right to refuse admission or registration to any applicant. The Registrar will notify applicants of their acceptance.

Note: Transcripts and other documents become the property of NTC and will not be returned nor photocopied for the student or forwarded to other institutions.

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.

M.T.S. and M.Div. Programs

The AGPA is usually calculated on post-secondary course work completed in the most recent two terms of study if they contain a minimum of 24 credits of course work. If these two terms contain less than 24 credits of course work, all work in the next most recent term(s) is included in the calculation until a minimum of 24 credits of post-secondary course work is reached.

Applicants for the M.T.S. program must possess a previous undergraduate university degree, with a GPA of 3.00 (B) or better.
Applicants for the M.Div. program must possess a previous university degree with a GPA of 2.00 (C) or better.

M.Th. Program

The requirements for admission to the M.Th. program are:

• A M.Div. degree from an institution accredited by the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada (A.T.S.).
• A probationary year of four Master’s level courses with a minimum average of 3.30 (B+) for those candidates whose M.Div. or equivalent is not recognized by the A.T.S.
• A grade point average of 3.30 (B+) for the M.Div. degree subject to review of last the 24*.
• A grade point average of 3.30 (B+) is required on the M.T.S. program or qualifying year courses for admission to the M.Th. program subject to review of last the 24*.

Applicants presenting a two-year M.T.S. degree from an accredited A.T.S. institution must complete an additional 30 credits in graduate level courses before admission to the M.Th. Program will be considered. These additional courses will constitute a qualifying year and may not be counted for credit towards the M.Th. degree.

Study permit applicants will need to record the NTC DLI number on their study permit applications after June 1, 2014.

The DLI number for NTC is: O19391057177.

International students will need to show proof of a valid study permit upon arrival at NTC.

The following programs ONLY are eligible to receive international students on study permit:
B.A. (CATH), B.Th., M.T.S., M.Div., M.Th., M.R.E.

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. 

English is the official language of instruction at NTC. Consequently, any student who lacks proficiency in the English language will have difficulty studying at
NTC. In the interest of ensuring that all students have sufficient English language skills to cope with the rigours of the academic curriculum, NTC has adopted
the following English Language Proficiency policy:

All applicants are required to demonstrate proficiency in both spoken and written English before their acceptance to NTC.

Written proficiency may be shown by completing one of the following:

• Alberta English 30 or equivalent (minimum grade: 60%).
• A paper-based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) exam (min. score: 560).
• A paper-based TOEFL exam (min. score: 550) plus the Test of Written English (TWE) exam (min. score: 50).
• A computer-based TOEFL exam (min. score: 220).
• Internet based TOEFL iBT testing: overall score of 86 points, with a minimum score of 21 points in each of the four testing areas - reading, listening, speaking, and writing.
• IELTS (International English Language Testing System); a score of at least 6.5 with no band less than 5.0.
• ESL 140/145: Successful completion of the University of Alberta’s ESL 140/145.
• CAEL (Canadian Academic English Language Assessment); with scores of no band less than 60.
• Additional ways to meet the requirement.

All students are expected to maintain an acceptable standard of English language proficiency in all their coursework at Newman Theological College. A student who consistently demonstrates deficient skills in English may be advised to discontinue their studies until they receive remedial help in the language. Such a student may resume studies at NTC upon receipt of official documentation attesting to improvement (i.e. official transcripts, acceptable TOEFL scores etc.).

Please note that NTC reserves the right to use discretion in determining English language proficiency.

An Open Studies student is one who is permitted to take regular post-secondary credit courses, but who is not admitted to a program leading to a degree, diploma, or certificate.

REGULATIONS

1. Open Studies students registering for graduate level courses must hold a previous undergraduate degree.

2. Open Studies students are 18 years of age or older and take courses:

  A. For professional development purposes.
  B. To upgrade in preparation for admission to a degree program.
  C. To fill in missing requirements needed for graduate school.
  D. For personal enrichment.

3. There are no admission criteria for Open Studies as it is not considered to be a program at NTC.

4. Open Studies students may audit courses that are eligible for audit.

5. Open Studies unclassified students must meet with the Registrar and be approved for further registrations after completing 5 courses by this route. Students wishing to obtain a diploma or degree should consider moving into a program at this point.

Procedures

1. Applicants must meet all pre-and co-requisites for individual courses unless prior permission is granted by the instructor.

2. Open Studies students must complete an Application and Registration Form, which is available online or from Student Services and must submit official transcripts from all high schools and/or post-secondary institutions attended.

A Mature Admission student is one who is admitted to the M.Div. /M.R.E. program without possessing an undergraduate degree. ATS regulations limit these admissions and there can be a waiting list for places. The Registrar should be contacted for such admissions.

Mature admission can be granted to applicants 35 years of age or older at the commencement of the session to which they are seeking admission, who do not fully meet entrance requirements. Applicants must complete a qualifying year of courses before admission to the program. All courses in the qualifying year can be transferred into the program upon Mature Admission. Only applicants who are Canadian citizens or permanent residents will be considered for admission under this category. International students are not eligible for admission under this category. Acceptance under this category is always at the discretion of the Admissions and Evaluations Committee.

Mature Admission student applicants must submit all official high school and post-secondary transcripts, regardless of the level reached. All applicants must satisfy our English Language Proficiency requirement before they will be considered for admission.

A Visiting student is one who is admitted to NTC for the purpose of taking courses to transfer into a degree program at another recognized institution. New students should apply for Open Studies on their Application Form and select "Visiting" as their enrollment status & program of study.

Upon receipt of the completed form and a letter of permission from the home institution granting approval for all courses selected, the eligibility as a Visiting student will be determined. Students should enclose a transcript showing the courses completed at their home institution along with their application. Visiting students are subject to NTC’s English Language Proficiency requirements as defined in the Academic Calendar.

Visiting students may register in person, via mail or via fax with Student Services.

It is the student’s responsibility to request an official transcript for their home institution upon completion of their studies at NTC.
NTC students who wish to be granted Visiting Student Status at another institution should discuss this first with their Faculty Advisor and then request a letter of permission from the Registrar. A course outline for the selected course(s) at another institution should be submitted to the Registrar for the Admissions and Evaluations Committee to review. Approval of the course selection will then be sought from the Admissions and Evaluations Committee.

A probationary year of four Master’s level courses with a minimum average of 3.30 (B+) is required for those candidates whose M.Div. or equivalent is not recognized by the A.T.S.

Applicants presenting a two-year M.T.S. degree from an accredited A.T.S. institution must complete an additional 30 credits in graduate level courses before admission to the M.Th. program will be considered. These additional courses will constitute a qualifying year and may not be counted for credit towards the M.Th. degree.

Students may attend classes without seeking credit for a course. No additional fees are charged for audited classes and admission requirements for unclassified audit students are less stringent. Online courses cannot be audited.

Students in programs designated for ministry (B.Th. and M.Div. programs) and the Dip.Th. program are required to complete a Criminal Record Check (through the RCMP or City Police) before admission to the program and again prior to beginning a practicum.

It should be noted that the time to gain these items can vary greatly. We are aware that in some cases students have had to wait six to eight weeks for their clearance to arrive. To complete a Criminal Record Check, applicants should bring two pieces of government issued identification (e.g. Driver’s License, Birth Certificate) to any police or RCMP station, and complete their application. Note that there is often a charge for this service.

Screening is an integral part of the ongoing academic and professional evaluation of candidates for the Diploma of Theology  program and degree of Bachelor of Theology or Master of Divinity. These are degrees that prepare people for ministry. A student enrolled in the Bachelor of Theology or
Master of Divinity program will be required to be screened prior to the end of the first semester and again prior to registering in MPS 339/STP 470 Theological Field Education. The screening interview shall be conducted by a committee of faculty and may be up to one (1)
hour in duration. Areas addressed in the interview may include the following:

• Faith stance: vision of church, sense of Christian identity and call to service, concept of ministry.
• Candidate’s personal and academic history, including recommendations or reservations with respect to the latter.
• Major areas of interest: intellectual, spiritual, ecclesial, social.
• Motives for seeking the degree.
• Previous experience in ministry; hopes for the future.
• Support available: financial, emotional.
• Life management skills: study habits, attention to responsibilities beyond academics.
• Anticipated participation in college life: liturgical, social, intellectual.

Additional follow-up interviews may be held up to the time of graduation.

Once an application has been submitted and all documents in support of the application are received, the Registrar will perform an initial evaluation and either:

• refuse the application, or
• forward a favourable admission recommendation to the Admissions and Evaluations Committee for further review and approval.

The Admissions and Evaluations Committee may recommend admission subject to a condition(s) being met (e.g., evidence of satisfactory completion of a specified degree).

All admissions are subject to approval by the Admissions and Evaluations Committee and official letters of admission are sent only by the Registrar on behalf of the Admissions and Evaluations Committee.

Applicants should be aware there is no formal appeal in admission matters, and the Admissions and Evaluations Committee do not have to entertain appeals regarding admission decisions. Offers of admission will be made as quickly as possible and continuously throughout the year for most programs and a Letter of Admission will be sent to successful applicants. Offers are usually conditional pending receipt of official transcripts reporting final grades for all courses and other admission documentation. Applicants must present the final official transcripts or the admission offer will be rescinded.

Students must request assessment of courses for advanced credit into any program at the time of application by contacting the Registrar in writing. Courses for advanced credit will be assessed by the Admissions and Evaluations Committee once all official and complete transcripts are received.

Note that the committee will not assess courses in advance or via email.

Students may be asked to provide detailed course outlines before an evaluation can be made. Course outlines are reviewed by the Admissions and Evaluations Committee for advanced credit and then considered with respect to the program being applied for.

Students who have interrupted their study at NTC for one academic year and have not maintained active status by paying the associated fee must re-apply for admission. Readmission is $500.00 for all academic programs apart from the C.Th. program. Students who have taken courses elsewhere since their last registration, must arrange to have official transcripts sent from the other institution(s) to the Registrar’s Office at NTC. The Annual Active Fee is assessed to M.T.S. and M.Th. students who have completed all course requirements and paid their thesis or project fees, but who have yet to “pass” their research paper, thesis or project. Failure to maintain registration status in this way results in a lapse of registration and requires the student to apply for readmission. The Annual Continuing Fee is assessed to students in all academic programs, apart from the C.Th. program, who do not register for a course in any given academic year and wish to maintain program status. Failure to maintain registration status in this way results in a lapse of registration and requires the student to re-apply. Students seeking readmission may be required to meet new admission and program requirements.

Note of exemption: Seminarians on pastoral placement are exempt from any penalty.

Each student at Newman Theological College shall have a Faculty Advisor. The Faculty Advisor shall be a full-time or part-time instructor at the college who has agreed to serve in this capacity and they will be available to meet periodically with the student to discuss and offer advice on academic matters including:

• Selection of topics for research papers or a thesis.
• Clarification of theological issues relating to course work, including required reading and books reviewed.
• Course selection appropriate to the student’s degree program, considering the needs and interests of the student, the structure of the curriculum and the college timetable.
• Field Education requirements, alternatives, and related course selections.
• Preparing for comprehensive examinations and integrative seminars.
• The methodology of research, including the effective use of library resources.

All full-time students and those part-time students who are eligible to complete a degree, diploma, or certificate in a given year are required to have Faculty Advisors. Students shall make a choice of a Faculty Advisor before the 30th of September in the academic year. In the event no choice is made, the Director of the student’s program shall be assigned as their Faculty Advisor. A Faculty Advisor’s signed approval is required in certain circumstances, including the following:

• Course changes.
• Incompletes.
• Course extensions.

Students shall meet with their Faculty Advisor at the beginning of each semester for review and approval of their program for that semester.

Please note: Students are encouraged to consult first with their Faculty Advisor concerning any questions about their program before approaching the Registrar, Academic Dean, or other members of the faculty.