It was this need for the church to participate in God’s coming redemptive Kingdom through active discipleship that first drew me to Acadia Divinity College. I knew I must be better equipped if I intended to equip others.
Study with Purpose
Whether you’re preparing for a PhD, or looking to develop your skills and knowledge for non-ordained ministry roles and leadership in parachurch organizations, our Master of Arts (Theology) will equip you with the knowledge and skills to succeed.
If you have your sights set on doctoral studies, we have crafted the program to stimulate exciting and innovative research topics, and our rigorous graduate seminars will develop your ability to prepare and present scholarly work to your peers.
ADC MA(Th) graduates have been accepted into major research universities across North America and in Europe, and are teaching in Bible Colleges, universities, and seminaries worldwide.
Thesis & Project
For the Practical Theology specializations, students have the choice between a Thesis and a Project.
- Thesis: Candidates for a Master’s degree with Thesis must prepare a thesis of 25,000 – 30,000 words under the direction of a supervisor, who is normally a faculty member (or honorary research associate, or a supervisory committee), appointed by the MA Director in consultation with the Associate Dean. The thesis cannot be a previous piece of research, published or otherwise, by the student, but a fresh exploration done during the degree. A thesis is a coherent conversation in which one states a problem, tells us how they will examine it, and then does the examination and proves or disproves the point, and finishes by telling us what they learned and how one might pursue it further, in the future.
- Project: An MA Project is an applied academic work that does not argue a thesis but rather investigates a topic with clarity and academic rigour and identifies a problem or opportunity in the practice of ministry which the student’s project will seek to address. MA Projects are graded internally by the supervisor, in consultation with the MA Director, and one other internal reader who will be present at the final presentation. A project demonstrates that a student has the ability to apply scholarship at an advanced level, but without having developed an extended argument. Coupled with the theoretical investigation is a practical project, which can take a variety of forms and should be discussed with the supervisor. Examples of past MA Projects include:
- A resource website for leadership training for a particular community (with both the website and numerous resources created by the student)
- A manual for churches seeking an interim pastor
- A project focused on dance ministry in the church, which included a newly choreographed group dance piece that was performed and recorded
- A written analysis of a student’s past teaching in a separate academic field, seeking to critique and integrate a theological component
Contact
Rev. Dr. H. Daniel Zacharias
Associate Dean
PHONE: 1-902-585-1682EMAIL: danny.zacharias@acadiau.caContact
Dr. Benjamin MacDonald
College Recruiter
PHONE: 902-585-2220EMAIL: benjamin.macdonald@acadiau.caNumber of Courses:
- With thesis: 16 courses + thesis (and Orientation)
- With project: 18 courses + project (and Orientation)
- Course Completion: 20 courses (and Orientation)
- Chaplaincy and Spiritual Care: 16 courses, 2 CPE units (and Orientation)
Length of program: 2 years*
*Applicants who already possess a graduate theological degree or an honours undergraduate degree in the subject they wish to specialize in can ask about the possibility of applying to complete an MA in only 30 credit hours (one year, full-time) instead of the usual 60 credit hours.
Course load options: Full-time (3 or more courses per semester**) and part-time (1-2 courses per semester)
Locations and formats: all locations, all formats
Specializations: Biblical Studies, Theology, Christian History, Practical Theology, Chaplaincy and Spiritual Care
*based on a full-time course load of 10 courses per year.
**five courses per semester is a normal full-time course load
Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution or equivalent, with a minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 3.00.
Specialization in Biblical Studies (with thesis)
By the end of this program participants should be able to:
- Engage in critical and analytical theological discussion.
- Demonstrate skills of writing and research including the collection, evaluation, and presentation of relevant material in a coherent way.
- Practice exegetical and hermeneutical interpretation of Scriptural texts with attention to scholarly perspectives and research.
- Produce a MA level thesis on a significant Biblical subject.
Specialization in Theology (with thesis)
By the end of this program participants should be able to:
- Engage in critical and analytical theological discussion.
- Demonstrate skills of writing and research including the collection, evaluation, and presentation of relevant material in a coherent and convincing way.
- Identify and appraise with personal engagement, significant theological doctrines and themes.
- Produce a MA level thesis on a significant theological theme.
Specialization in Church History (with thesis)
By the end of this program participants should be able to:
- Engage in critical and analytical theological discussion.
- Demonstrate skills of writing and research including the collection, evaluation, and presentation of relevant material in a coherent and convincing way.
- Identify, and appraise, significant historical events and themes.
- Produce a MA level thesis on a significant issue related to the history of the Christian church.
Specialization in Practical Theology (with thesis)
By the end of this program participants should be able to:
- Engage in critical and analytical theological discussion.
- Demonstrate skills of writing and research including the collection, evaluation, and presentation of relevant material in a coherent and convincing way.
- Integrate learning from both theory and practice.
- Produce a MA level thesis on a significant issue related to a chosen area of practical theology.
Practical Theology Degree with Project
By the end of this program participants should be able to:
- Engage in critical and analytical theological discussion.
- Demonstrate skills of writing and research including the collection, evaluation, and presentation of relevant material in a coherent and convincing way.
- Integrate learning from both theory and practice
- Produce a MA level project on a significant issue related to a chosen area of ministry practice.
Specialization in Chaplaincy and Spiritual Care
By the end of this program participants should be able to:
- Engage in critical and analytical theological discussion.
- Demonstrate skills of writing and research including the collection, evaluation, and presentation of relevant material in a coherent and convincing way.
- Identify and appraise key features of the practice of chaplaincy and spiritual care.
- Engage in effective prison chaplaincy or clinical pastoral practice.
Without Specialization
By the end of this program participants should be able to:
- Engage in critical and analytical theological discussion.
- Demonstrate skills of writing and research including the collection, evaluation, and presentation of relevant material in a coherent and convincing way.
- Identify and appraise significant themes in a range of theological disciplines.
| 2022-2023 | FULL-TIME | PART-TIME | |
| FULL YEAR | ONE SEMESTER | PER COURSE | |
| TUITION* | $9,281 | $4,641 | $1,054.50 |
| FEES | $1580.86 | $987.93 | $35.29 |
| TOTAL** | $10,861.86 | $5,628.93 | $1089.79 |
*Seniors (60+) / Qualified Ministry Partners receive a 50% discount of full-time tuition.
**These amounts are for the 2022-2023 academic year and are subject to change. For a full breakdown of tuition and fees, please visit here.
The generosity of donors over time has made it possible for Acadia Divinity College to offer significant scholarship and bursaries to its students. Our financial assistance program ensures that every eligible student receives support every year.
Entrance Scholarship:
- $4,506 per year for the normal duration of the student’s program.
- Awarded to students entering a full-time degree program with a Cumulative Grade Point Average of 3.5 or higher in their most recently completed degree.
Bursaries:
- All students (incoming and returning) are encouraged to apply for financial aid if they are not awarded an Entrance Scholarship.
- Amounts vary dependent on level of study and course load:
- Graduate full-time: $2,253 per year
- Graduate part-time: $248.25 per course
College Assistantships:
- Canadian and international students are welcome to apply for various College Assistantships for each academic year. Remuneration varies depending on the position.
Additional information on Scholarships and Bursaries and College Assistantships
Note: These amounts are for the 2022-2023 academic year and are subject to change.
A grade point of 2.67 is necessary for each course in order for that course to apply toward the Master of Arts (Theology) degree. Students with less than a 2.67 GPA in 12 or more term hours may not continue in the Master of Arts (Theology) program. The Statute of Limitation is five (5) years.