About AST

Atlantic School of Theology acknowledges that the land on which we serve, study, worship, and learn is located in Mi’kma’ki, the ancestral and unceded territory of the Mi’kmaq Peoples. This territory is covered by the Treaties of Peace and Friendship which Mi’kmaq and Wolastoqiyik people first signed with the British Crown in 1725. The treaties did not deal with surrender of lands and resources, but recognized Mi’kmaq and Wolastoqiyik title and established the rules for what was to be an ongoing relationship between nations.

An Ecumenical School

Atlantic School of Theology, an ecumenical school of theology and Christian ministry, 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 and Master of Arts (Theology and Religious Studies) degrees. The Master of Arts (Theology and Religious Studies) degree is offered in conjunction with Saint Mary's University. Diploma programs and continuing education offerings are also available.

Affiliation with Saint Mary’s University

Since March 2002 Atlantic School of Theology has been affiliated with Saint Mary’s University in Halifax. Both institutions are committed to establishing and promoting joint and complementary academic courses and programs. They are also committed to achieving the operational efficiencies that will strengthen each institution to fulfill each other’s educational mission and service to the churches and to society. While each institution will retain its independent status and grant its own degrees, exciting possibilities for joint programming will become a regular part of AST’s program offerings. Students at AST will be able to explore new avenues for theological education such as inter-faith dialogue, which is becoming a major part of the societal context in which ministry now must exercise its calling.

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