Diploma in the New Evangelization

The New Evangelization is a core focus of Roman Catholicism today. Catholics are called to witness their faith, engage in the culture, and spread the news of Christ in a coherent and joyful way. The Diploma in the New Evangelization is designed to equip you for this mission. You’ll become an agent of the New Evangelization, grounded in Catholic thought, and skilled at sharing and explaining your faith in diverse environments. You’ll be able to speak about faith with more confidence to your children, grandchildren, friends, and co-workers. Moreover, you’ll be inspired within a faithful community of learning and challenged to live your life in a less ordinary way.

The Diploma Program in the New Evangelization (DNE) was designed in collaboration with the Archdiocese of Halifax-Yarmouth to address specific needs within the Roman Catholic church.

Course Delivery: Hybrid

  • The six units take place on AST’s campus or via the internet in real-time: one seminar of two-and-a-half hours per week, over 12 weeks.
  • International students are welcome to participate online. This Diploma Program does not qualify for a Canadian Study Visa.

DNE Program Structure

The Diploma Program is a three-year program consisting of six units taught at the Adult Education/Continuing Education level. You may begin the program in September or January of any year, then continue until you have completed all six units.

The six program components are as follows:

  • Apologetics -This unit will explore the difficult questions that Roman Catholics grapple with.
  • Christian Leadership - In this unit, you will explore your gifts, discern God’s call to you, and become equipped to lead in the service of this specific call.
  • The New Evangelization - This unit will offer a concluding overview of the New Evangelization, what it is how it can be embodied in our context.
  • Pastoral Ministry in a Missional Key - This unit focuses on mission within the parish and moving out from the parish to engage the wider context.
  • Sacred Scriptures in the Roman Catholic Tradition - This unit will give you a foundation in Roman Catholic Biblical Studies. Exploring Roman Catholic approaches to scripture, it will equip you with critical exegetical skills.
  • Social Dimensions of Evangelization - This unit focuses on the social teaching of the Roman Catholic Church and aims to equip students to embody, witness to, and proclaim solidarity with the poor.

In the 2024-2025 academic year, the following components will be offered:

  • DNE 1002 Sacred Scriptures in Roman Catholic Tradition (Sept. 2024 to Dec. 2024)
    This unit will give you a foundation in Roman Catholic Biblical Studies. Exploring Roman Catholic approaches to scripture, it will equip you with critical exegetical skills.
    Instructor: E. Kozitza Dean

  • DNE 1005 Social Teaching (January 2025 to April 2025)
    This unit focusses on the social teaching of the Roman Catholic Church and aims to equip students to embody, witness to, and proclaim solidarity with the poor.
    Instructor: C. O'Hara

Admissions Requirements

  • You must have a high school diploma or its equivalent to be admitted to the program.
  • You may begin the program in September or January, but program enrolment is required before taking any component.
  • If you choose to join the class via the internet, you must have an up-to-date computer and high-speed internet access.

Admissions Process

  • Contact David Deane, the DNE Program Director, to discuss suitability for the program and to review the application process.
  • The deadline for applications is August 15 for Fall term admission and November 1 for Winter term admission.

To apply to the Diploma in New Evangelization program, please complete the following forms and submit them to the Academic Office with the appropriate fee:

Diploma Program Fees

  • Application fee for the Diploma program is $62
  • Tuition for each Diploma program component is $557 (effective June 1, 2024)
  • Related books and resource materials will cost approximately $60 per component

Financial Assistance

  • Some parishes and dioceses will sponsor or assist with your fees. Please inquire with your priest or parish council.
  • Participants in the EQUIP program offered by the Archdiocese of Halifax-Yarmouth receive financial support from the Archdiocese (More information is available on the Archdiocese of Halifax-Yarmouth website).
  • Roman Catholics resident within the Halifax area who are not part of EQUIP are eligible for a fee subsidy thanks to a grant from the Patrick Power Foundation. Please inform the Academic Office when you apply if you hold this status.

More Information

For more information on our programs, please contact our Recruitment Coordinator: astinfo@astheology.ns.ca