Acadia Divinity College

History

As early as 1830, Baptists in Nova Scotia, Canada established a “department of pious scholars” at Horton Academy in Wolfville (founded 1828) for ministerial training. A decade later, Baptist Leaders resolved to establish a Baptist College, an institution of higher learning where all people would be free to work and study, regardless of religious persuasion. The decision to establish Queen’s College, which would become Acadia University, was formally approved by the Nova Scotia Baptist Education Society on November 15, 1838. Preparation for ministry was carried on under various formats until the School of Theology was put on a more formal footing in 1923.

After Acadia University was reorganized in 1966, the Baptists of Atlantic Canada began to operate the School of Theology under the name Acadia Divinity College, and on June 1, 1968, the Acadia Divinity College was established by an act of the Nova Scotia Legislature.

Principals and Presidents of Acadia Divinity College

Master of Divinity

The Master of Divinity program is the basic degree program offered at ADC to prepare men and women for ordained Christian ministry. In addition to a core curriculum of biblical studies, Christian thought and core ministry, this 90 credit hour graduate-level program offers students the opportunity to specialize in their particular field of interest, including:

Master of Arts (Theology)

The Master of Arts (Theology) degree is designed to equip students for advanced study at the doctoral level, and as such, requires a thesis.

Academic Master of Arts (Theology)

Practical Master of Arts (Theology) complete with thesis

Practical Master of Arts (complete with project) and Master of Arts (Theology) degree by course work only are designed to equip individuals for non-ordained leadership roles in church and society. These programs contain foundational study in the Biblical Studies and Christian Thought, a broad introduction to ministry, and an opportunity to specialize in an area of ministry interest:

Practical Master of Arts (Theology) complete with project

• Evangelism and Mission

• Youth and Young Adult Ministry

• Pastoral Care and Counselling

• Leadership and Spiritual Formation

• Discipleship

Master of Arts (Theology) degree by course work only

• Prison Chaplaincy

• Chaplaincy and Spiritual Care

• Indigenous Community Development

• Master of Arts (Theology) degree without specialization

Applicants with no or little prior study in their intended field complete a 60 credit hour program (two years, if full-time). Applicants who already possess a graduate theological degree or an honours undergraduate degree in the subject they wish to specialize may be permitted to complete the Master of Arts (Theology) in 30 credit hours (one year, if full-time)

Graduate Diploma in Christian Studies

The Graduate Diploma in Christian Studies, a 30-credit-hour graduate-level program, is designed to train students in various biblical, theological, historical, and practical disciplines. It is not designed to be training for ordained ministries.

The Graduate Diploma can be completed part-time through Acadia Divinity College in Metro Halifax or in New Brunswick. It can also be completed part-time or full-time through the main campus in Wolfville. Courses taken can be applied toward a Master of Arts (Theology) or Master of Divinity degree.

Bachelor of Theology

The Bachelor of Theology (90 credit hours, three years if full-time) is a first degree designed to equip those who are called to leadership roles in the Christian community. The ordination track is specifically designed to meet the ordination requirements of some denominations and churches. Learning is flexible and many courses can be taken either on campus, online or in intensive units.

The Bachelor of Theology (non-Ordination Track) is a more flexible degree that is suited to those wishing to exercise ministry that is not traditionally understood to be in the context of 'formal ordination' and for those interested in missions work, bi-vocational or part-time ministry as well as those serving in leadership and other work supporting churches, groups, and Christian organizations in Canada or overseas.

Certificate in Christian Studies

The Certificate in Christian Studies, a 30-credit-hour undergraduate-level program, is designed to provide those interested in ministry with a foundation of Biblical Studies, Theology, Christian History, and practical Ministry courses. The credits earned in the Certificate can be applied toward a Bachelor of Theology degree.

Certificate in Ministerial Studies

The Certificate in Ministerial Studies is an undergraduate-level non-credit program designed to provide a foundation of Biblical Studies, Theology, Christian History, and practical Ministry to those over 55 years of age who are seeking ordination.

Crandall-Acadia Bachelor of Theology

Students enrolled at Crandall University in Moncton, New Brunswick, have the opportunity of taking a degree from Acadia University (through Acadia Divinity College) concurrent with their Crandall degree. While not designed to prepare students for ordained ministry, this double-degree learning experience provides a foundation for those who wish to do further study towards a Master of Divinity degree.

Acadia Centre for Baptist and Anabaptist Studies (ACBAS)

Established by Acadia Divinity College in cooperation with the Vaughan Memorial Library of Acadia University in April 1991, encourages and facilitates studies in the fields of Baptist and Anabaptist history and thought, especially in the Atlantic region of Canada.

Charles J. Taylor Centre for Chaplaincy and Spiritual Care

Fosters and promotes clinical and theological excellence in the area of Pastoral Care through personal growth, the building of professional capacities and rigorous theological reflection. The Taylor Centre trains and prepares men and women for pastoral ministry in specialized forms, including hospital chaplaincy, military chaplaincy, prison chaplaincy, and a variety of other caring professions, for which care for the Spirit is of primary importance.

Andrew D. MacRae Centre for Christian Faith and Culture

Provides a forum for helping students and the wider church engage with people and issues in meaningful, thoughtful, relevant, and transformative ways - by collecting and distributing resources, offering courses and programs, and as a research hub.

Wolfville, Nova Scotia

Students can complete any bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree or program part-time or full-time at ADC’s main teaching site located on the campus of Acadia University in Wolfville. All courses required for all degrees are offered on a rotating basis over a two- or three-year period in a variety of teaching formats including once weekly, intensive weeks, and on weekends.

Metro Halifax and Truro, Nova Scotia

Six to eight introductory bachelor-level and master-level courses are offered annually at various sites throughout Metro Halifax and Truro.The Graduate Diploma in Christian Studies can be completed in its entirety in Metro Halifax over a three- to four-year period, and up to one-half of the courses required for a degree program can be completed through ADC Metro.

New Brunswick

Six to eight introductory bachelor-level and master-level courses are offered annually at various sites throughout New Brunswick, often on weekends or evenings. The Graduate Diploma in Christian Studies can be completed in its entirety in New Brunswick over a three- to four-year period and up to one-half of all courses for a degree program can be completed through ADC New Brunswick.

Europe

Through a unique partnership with Canadian Baptist Ministries and the European Baptist Federation, Acadia and the International Baptist Theological Study Centre are able to offer courses toward the Doctor of Ministry degree in Amsterdam.

Continuing Education

The College seeks to encourage and equip leaders throughout their lifetime of ministry through two annual lectureships:

Simpson Lectures

Annual series of lectures on the practice of ministry prepared primarily for students, pastors, and spouses. The lecturers are persons in ministry who focus on the role of the minister as both preacher and pastor.

Hayward Lectures

Annual lectureship in theology and related subjects. Visiting lecturers are selected by the Faculty of Acadia Divinity College.

Endowed Academic Chairs

Endowed academic (teaching) chairs are established to ensure that permanent funding is available to the College to meet the costs of a professor's salary in a given discipline. Nine chairs have been established at ADC, but none have been fully funded.

Notable alumni