About

AST signage

Atlantic School of Theology is an ecumenical school of theology and Christian ministry. It was founded in 1971 by institutions of the three founding parties: the Divinity Faculty of the University of King’s College (Anglican Church of Canada), Holy Heart Theological Seminary (The Roman Catholic Episcopal Corporation of Halifax) and Pine Hill Divinity Hall (United Church of Canada).

It is specially characterized as an ecumenical, tri-denominational theological school with an ecumenical Board of Governors, Senate, Faculty, student body, and curriculum.

The school is accredited by the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada and offers Master of Divinity, Master of Arts (Theology and Religion), and Bachelor of Theology degrees.

The Master of Arts (Theology and Religion) degree is offered in conjunction with Saint Mary's University. You can also choose from a selection of diploma programs and Continuing Education offerings.

 

Yes. Since March 2002, Atlantic School of Theology (AST) has been formally affiliated with Saint Mary’s University (SMU) in Halifax. While both remain independent institutions that grant their own degrees, they collaborate to offer joint academic programs and shared operational efficiencies.

What are the benefits of the AST-SMU partnership for students?

This strategic alliance strengthens the educational mission of both institutions, offering students unique opportunities such as:

Inter-Faith Dialogue: Students can explore theological education within a broader societal context, focusing on the growing importance of inter-religious and inter-faith engagement.

Joint Programming: Both institutions are committed to establishing and promoting joint and complementary academic courses and programs. 

How does the affiliation affect degree granting?

Each institution retains its independent status. This means that while you may take courses through a joint lens or access SMU resources, your degree will be granted specifically by Atlantic School of Theology (or Saint Mary's University, depending on your primary enrollment).

Yes. Atlantic School of Theology is accredited by the Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools (ATS) in the United States and Canada. AST is also accredited by the Maritimes Provinces Higher Education Commission (MPHEC).

The Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools (ATS) has formally approved the following degree programs at AST:

MDiv, MA (Theology and Religion)

Comprehensive Distance Education Program

How can I contact the accreditation commission?

For official verification or inquiries, you may contact The Commission:

The Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools 10 Summit Park Drive | Pittsburgh, PA 15275 | USA Telephone: 412-788-6505 Website: www.ats.edu 

The Maritimes Provinces Higher Education Commission (MPHEC) accredits the following degree program at AST:

Bachelor of Theology 

Faint glimmers of the unusual, even unique collaboration, which is AST’s contribution to ecumenical education, could be detected in the increasing cooperation among the founding institutions in the late 1960s. During those years, students of King’s College, Holy Heart Seminary, and Pine Hill Divinity Hall shared some classes and benefited, on a limited basis, from a sharing of faculty from the other institutions. Limited though this cooperation was, it was a beginning.

Circumstances and challenges of the day suggested new ways in which the theological institutions could cooperate in the days ahead. Deliberations subsequently led to the recommendation that one school of theology be founded, a resolution agreed to by King’s, Holy Heart, and Pine Hill. Articles of Agreement were signed on March 29, 1971; the school admitted its first students in September of 1971.

AST Act — 1974

An Act to Incorporate Atlantic School of Theology
Signed: 28 June 1974
In force: 1 May 1974

Three years after the Founding Agreement, government of the Province of Nova Scotia passed An Act to Incorporate Atlantic School of Theology, establishing the Board of Governors as a body corporate: an autonomous university with power to confer degrees in its own right under the name of Atlantic School of Theology. Before that, degrees had to be conferred by the founding parties.

To view the Act, as approved by the Legislature of Nova Scotia, please click on NS Legislature Statues 1973-74 (PDF) and scroll to page 291.

Atlantic School of Theology serves Christ’s mission by shaping effective and faithful ordained and lay leaders and understanding among communities of faith.

As a public university profoundly committed to deeply valuing each human life and the good of the world, Atlantic School of Theology is committed to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility. 

 

Top

The AST Board of Governors is composed of representatives appointed by our three founding parties—the United Church of Canada (Pine Hill Divinity Hall), the Anglican Church of Canada, and the Roman Catholic Church—alongside faculty, students, and university leadership. 


Pine Hill Divinity Hall

  • The Rev. Dr. Linda Yates
  • The Rev. Kate Jones
  • The Rev. Kim Waite
  • Jim Musgrave
  • The Rev. Jeff Chant


University of King's College

  • Dr. Susan Dodd


Diocese of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island

  • Gillian Doucet Campbell
  • Patrick J. Donahoe, Ph.D.


Diocese of Fredericton 

  • The Rev. Maria Shepherdson
  • The Rev. Julian Pillay


Archdiocese of Halifax-Yarmouth

  • Greg Aikins
  • Dr. Maria Pacurar
  • Dr. Maryn Anderson
  • Dr. Carol Kuzmochka
  • The Rev. Mr. Bill Grady


Other Board Members:


Faculty 

  • The Rev. Dr. Rob Fennell 
  • Dr. Alyda Faber


Students

  • Jacqui Moraal
  • Michael Moneke


President

  • The Rev. Dr. Heather McCance


Corresponding/non-voting members

  • The Rev. Dr. Susan MacAlpine-Gillis
  • Dr. Michael Khan
  • Beth Pyesmany


Executive Committee

  • Chair: Greg Aikins
  • Vice Chair: Patrick J. Donahoe, Ph.D.
  • Past Chair and Chair, Governance: The Rev. Dr. Linda Yates
  • Treasurer: Dr. Maria Pacurar
  • Board Secretary: The Rev. Dr. Heather McCance

 

REVISED: January 2026

Top

Anglican Church of Canada

Roman Catholic Church

Pine Hill Divinity Hall (United Church of Canada)

Other links

Anglican Church of Canada

Roman Catholic Church

United Church of Canada