// Workers AI · dad joke modeDoes Atlantic School of Theology have a whale of a time?
| Established | 1971 |
|---|---|
Religious affiliation | Christian |
| President | Heather McCance[1] |
| Faculty | 10 full-time; 8 sessional[2] |
| Students | 72 (Fall 2025)[3] |
| Undergraduates | 15[3] |
| Postgraduates | 57[3] |
| Location | , , Canada |
| Campus |
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| Colours |
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| Website | astheology |
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Atlantic School of Theology (AST) is a Christian public ecumenical university located in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. The university provides undergraduate and graduate level theological education.[4]
History
[edit]Atlantic School of Theology was founded in 1971 and formally incorporated on June 28, 1974, by an act of the Legislature of Nova Scotia.[5] The institution was formed following a merger of the following institutions:[5]
- Faculty of Divinity, University of King's College (Anglican Church of Canada)
- Holy Heart Theological Institute, formerly the Holy Heart Seminary (Roman Catholic Church)
- Pine Hill Divinity Hall (United Church of Canada)
Theological education has been offered on the Halifax property since 1848, with AST occupying the former campus of Pine Hill Divinity Hall.[6] The former Holy Heart Theological Institute was destroyed by fire in 1975.[7]
AST is accredited by the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada,[5] and is a member of the Maritime Provinces Higher Education Commission.[8] In 2002, AST began affiliating with nearby Saint Mary's University. Both remain independent institutions and grant their own degrees, but collaborate to offer joint and complementary academic courses and programs.[5]
Academics
[edit]AST offers an undergraduate Bachelor of Theology program, as well as Master of Divinity and Master of Arts in Theology and Religion (offered in collaboration with Saint Mary's University) graduate programs. Additionally, the institution offers diploma programs in theological studies, new evangelization, and intergenerational faith formation, and certificate programs in stewardship and graduate theological studies.[4]
Notable alumni
[edit]- Fred Hiltz – former Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada
- Greg MacLeod (Holy Heart Seminary) – former priest and educator in Cape Breton
- Joseph-Aurèle Plourde (Holy Heart Seminary) – former Roman Catholic Archbishop of Ottawa
- Richard William Smith – Metropolitan Archbishop of Vancouver
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ↑ "Welcome & Message From the President". Atlantic School of Theology. Atlantic School of Theology. Retrieved 20 May 2026.
- ↑ "Faculty & Staff". Atlantic School of Theology. Atlantic School of Theology. Retrieved 20 May 2026.
- 1 2 3 "2025-2026 Full-Time plus Part-Time Undergraduate & Graduate Enrolments" (PDF). Association of Atlantic Universities. 15 October 2025. Retrieved 29 December 2025.
- 1 2 "Programs & Student Resources". Atlantic School of Theology. Atlantic School of Theology. Retrieved 20 May 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 "About". Atlantic School of Theology. Atlantic School of Theology. Retrieved 20 May 2026.
- ↑ "Place: Pine Hill Divinity Hall". United Church of Canada – Regions East. United Church of Canada – Regions East. 24 April 2012. Retrieved 20 May 2026.
- ↑ "Item 77-733-867 - Holy Heart Seminary, 50th Anniversary". The Beaton Institute. The Beaton Institute. Retrieved 20 May 2026.
- ↑ "The Maritime Provinces Higher Education Commission Stakeholders". Maritime Provinces Higher Education Commission. Maritime Provinces Higher Education Commission. Retrieved 20 May 2026.
Further reading
[edit]- Carol Ann Goodine “Origins of Atlantic School of Theology” (Halifax NS: MA thesis St. Mary's University, 1993)
