Associate in Theology – General info OG

General Information

The Associate in Theology (A.Th.) program is a course of study designed for persons who are interested in increasing their knowledge and appreciation of Christian belief and practice.  As well as developing their pastoral skills, this program also provides a theological base for persons assuming leadership and ministry within the life of their faith community.

The Associate in Theology requires that a student normally complete ten two-credit-hour courses.  These courses may be taken on a full-time or a part-time basis, but all requirements for the Associate must normally be fulfilled within seven years from the date of initial registration.  Students may complete their ten courses on site at Queen’s College, by correspondence, or a combination thereof, in accordance with program requirements. The Associate in Theology constitutes a complete program in itself, but students may also build on the Associate to use it toward the degree of Bachelor of Theology by Distance. (For further information, see pp. 40-41).

Since September 2005, Queen’s College has also offered Youth Ministry courses that can be used toward  a major in the A.Th. Program, or a Certificate in Youth Ministry. (For further information, see p. 61)

There are six disciplines:

• Biblical Studies (i.e., Old Testament, New Testament)
• Ethics
• Historical Studies
• Liturgical Studies (i.e. Liturgy, Homiletics)
• Pastoral Studies (i.e., Pastoral Care, Pastoral Counseling, Christian Education)
• Theological Studies
• Youth and Young Adult Ministry Studies

The A.Th. curriculum requires:

• 2 courses in Biblical Studies (Introduction to the Old Testament and Introduction to the New Testament)
• 1 course in Church History
• 1 course in Ethics
• 1 course in Theological Studies
• 1 course in Pastoral Studies
• 1 course in Liturgical Studies
• 3 electives as needed
• Four courses in one of the following: Pastoral Studies, Biblical Studies, or Youth Ministry Studies, which will constitute a major,
• Two courses in one other discipline which will constitute a minor,

In order to qualify for the A.Th., the candidate must:

1. maintain a minimum average of 65% with no mark below 60% in all courses so graded,
2. complete all requirements for this program normally within seven years from the date of initial registration.

Advanced Standing for Graduates of Diploma in Theology and Ministry in Associate in Theology Program

Students who have completed the Diploma in Theology and Ministry may request Advanced Standing for four Associate in Theology courses. The Advance Standing courses replace the electives in the requirements. The Advanced Standing from the Diploma in Theology and Ministry Program will count as the Major in Pastoral Studies. 

Entrance Requirements

The minimum academic entrance requirement for this program is a high school diploma or its equivalent. However, post-secondary education is desirable.

In addition to the above academic requirements, participants should also demonstrate:

• Commitment to relating the Gospel to their lives.
• Experience, or willingness to serve in ministry.
• Desire and the ability to grow emotionally, spiritually, and intellectually.
• Commitment to participate fully in the program.

Applicants must also submit the following documentation with an application form which can be obtained from the Queen’s College General Office or on our web site at queenscollegenl.ca

A personal statement outlining your educational background

• Family and work history
• Ministry involvements
• Participation in any personal growth and ministry training events
• Reasons for applying to this program
• Expectations about how this program will help you in your future ministry

A letter (or letters) of reference from your local parish, congregation or Church agency (preferably ordained minister) stating that: you have been expected to be involved in its life and ministry, and that

• You work well with others
• You have the ability and the commitment to complete this program
• Your participation in this program will enhance the ministry of your faith community

Regulations Governing the Associate in Theology

Applicants should normally register for courses six weeks prior to the beginning of the semester (i.e. September, January).  Late registrations will be considered, depending on circumstances.

Two-credit-hour courses qualify for the Associate in Theology, Bachelor of Theology by Distance, and Certificate in Youth Ministry Programs, and are identified as such.  Students also may apply three-credit- hour courses to fulfill the qualifications of the A.Th. program.

Most courses require written assignments and/or a final examination.

All examinations (with the exception of take-home/mail-in exams) must be written under the supervision of an invigilator. It is the responsibility of the student to arrange for an invigilator in accordance with the regulations governing exam invigilation as set out in the Queen’s College Calendar.

Courses are to be completed within a single academic semester.  Please consult Queen’s College Academic Regulations governing aegrotat standing, late assignments, and incomplete grades.  Students should also consult the Queen’s College Calendar for regulations governing grading of courses, language, plagiarism, and required withdrawal and readmission.

The tuition cost for all courses is published before the academic year begins.  Students are eligible for a discount under specified conditions.  Queen’s College courses are not offered with a waiver of tuition fees for senior citizens.  Students should consult the Queen’s College Calendar for regulations governing tuition refunds.

The withdrawal policy concerning academic prejudice follows the policies outlined under Academic Regulations of the current Queen’s College Calendar.

Normally a maximum of two courses from external institutions may be transferred towards the Associate in Theology.  The external institutions are normally member schools of the Association of Theological Schools in Canada and the United States.

Additional policies governing the College’s academic programs are applicable to the Associate in Theology and are contained in the current calendar.  Applicants may also wish to consult the College’s website for further information.

Students seeking any changes or amendments to the qualifications (noted above) must do so by writing to the Provost for permission. 

Exam Invigilation Policy

Some correspondence midterms and/or final exams must be written under the supervision of an invigilator. It is the responsibility of the correspondence student to arrange an invigilator for her/his examination in accordance with the criteria for invigilators specified by Queen’s College.

The Invigilator Agreement Form must be completed by all students. A separate form is required for each exam, each semester. It must be submitted to the instructor as soon as possible upon registration for a course in any given semester. It is the right of the College to contact the invigilator and/or to refuse any invigilator it deems inappropriate.

Criteria for selecting an invigilator

An invigilator must be a member of one of the following groups:

• member of the clergy (any denomination)
• faculty member, administrator or other professional staff member of a university, college, or primary/secondary school (professor, principal, teacher, etc.)
• member of the a health care profession (medical doctor, dentist, chiropractor, optometrist, pharmacist, veterinarian, registered nurse, social worker, etc.)
• member of the legal profession (judge, magistrate, lawyer, notary public, police officer)
• postmaster
• professional accountant

An invigilator must not be:

• a member of the student’s family
• a member of the same household
• a student registered in the Associate Program at Queen’s College

Invigilator Responsibilities

It is the responsibility of the invigilator to:

• supervise the exam, free of charge, for the Associate student at a time and place mutually acceptable to the invigilator and the student
• provide an appropriate testing environment (i.e., quiet, free of other persons as well as notes and books unless otherwise specified by the instructor)
• advise student on matters pertaining to the examination procedure, but not on matters pertaining to course or exam content
• secure all examination material before and after the examination date
• return the written examination and any pertinent material promptly to Queen’s College in the envelope provided
• ensure that the student does not leave the examination area until the examination is completed and remain with the student for the duration of the examination (with the exception of an emergency in which case the invigilator shall use her/his own discretion and note the same to the instructor on the sheet provided)
• ensure that the student and the invigilator signs the verification form contained in the examination package that is sent directly to the invigilator