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Certificate in Theology

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A certificate is an independent undergraduate program comprising 30 credits, leading to a diploma, or undergraduate certificate, approved by the Senate.

This certificate is for people who wish to acquire a solid understanding of the central issues of contemporary theology, while at the same time allowing them, according to their needs or interests, to explore certain aspects more deeply.

Do not hesitate to contact an Academic Advisor to obtain more information.

Applications: A step-by-step guide

STEP 1: Choose a program of study
STEP 2: Learn about admission requirements
STEP 3: Submit your application
STEP 4: Gather the documents needed for the assessment of your application
STEP 5: Assessment of your application
STEP 6: Accept your offer of admission
STEP 7: Choose your courses

STEP 1: CHOOSE A PROGRAM OF STUDY

Undergraduate programs:

STEP 2: LEARN ABOUT ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

 



Ontario applicants

From secondary school
Have an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) with at least six 4U or 4M level courses, including one 4U level course in English or français.

From Ontario Colleges of Applied Arts and Technology (CAAT)

  • After one year of studies
    You are eligible if you have completed one year of a college program and have obtained the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) with one language course (English or français) at the college or 4U level.
  • After a two- or three-year program
    If you have completed a two- or three-year college program, you can obtain up to 30 credits of advanced standing (transfer credits).

Our transfer agreements
Saint Paul University has developed a number of transfer agreements with colleges, allowing applicants to receive up to 30 equivalency credits. Find out more by consulting the tab entitled College Credit Transfer.

Quebec applicants

From secondary school
Have a Secondary School Diploma with an average of 84%, including one course in English or français at the Secondary V level.

From Cégep
Have completed 12 courses of general studies (not including physical education and refresher courses), including English (603) or français (601). Applicants who have successfully completed 12 courses of general studies may obtain up to 15 credits of advanced standing, and those who have successfully completed more than 12 courses of general studies may obtain up to 30 credits of advanced standing.

Applicants from the Atlantic and Western provinces

Have a Secondary School Diploma, including one course in English or français at the Grade 12 level.

Applicants from other universities

Applications from other Canadian or international universities will be assessed based on the applicant’s previous secondary and post-secondary studies. University equivalency credits may be granted depending on the studies completed and the program into which the person is admitted.

International applicants

Have a diploma attesting to 12 years of education equivalent to the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD). Persons who have completed a secondary diploma attesting to 13 years of education, such as the Baccalauréat de l’enseignement secondaire français, can receive up to 30 credits of advanced standing. 

Mature applicants

When the applicant’s academic record does not meet normal conditions for admission, it is possible to apply as a mature applicant, provided that the person has not been enrolled in full-time studies for at least two consecutive years. In order to be considered for admission, applicants must have experience that can be considered sufficient preparation for pursuing undergraduate studies.

STEP 3: SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION

 

You have two options

 

OPTION 1

If you are applying for admission to an undergraduate program at more than one Ontario university, including Saint Paul University:

Apply through OUAC

IMPORTANT NOTE: Because Saint Paul University is federated with the University of Ottawa, you will find programs offered by Saint Paul University listed under the University of Ottawa.

OPTION 2

If you are applying for an undergraduate program at Saint Paul University only, or if you are applying for a master’s or doctoral program:

  • Complete the following form.

 Apply Now

 

STEP 4: GATHER THE DOCUMENTS NEEDED FOR THE ASSESSMENT OF YOUR APPLICATION

 

In order for us to assess your application, you must submit official transcripts for all of your previous studies (secondary, college and university). These transcripts must be sent directly from your academic institution to the following address:

 

Saint Paul University
Office of Admissions and Student Services
223 Main Street
Ottawa, Ontario
K1S 1C4
CANADA

 

However, to expedite the assessment process for your application, you can scan your documents and e-mail them to the Office of Admissions at admission@ustpaul.ca and then send your official documents through the mail.

 

STEP 5: ASSESSMENT OF YOUR APPLICATION

Once the Office of Admissions receives all the required documents, it will begin to assess your application. One of the following decisions will be sent to you at the email address you gave us, as well as to your postal address.


Possible decisions

  • Offer of admission
    The Office of Admissions will send you an offer of admission (unconditional).  
  • Conditional offer of admission
    The Office of Admissions will make you a conditional offer of admission, with specific conditions that you must meet by a certain deadline. You can still proceed to registration (course selection).
  • Deferred decision
    The Office of Admissions can inform you that some information is missing and therefore the University is unable to make a decision regarding your eligibility. If applicable, the Office will tell you which documents to send and by what date.
  • Refusal
    The Office of Admissions will inform you of the reasons for the refusal.

 

STEP 6: ACCEPT YOUR OFFER OF ADMISSION

To accept an offer of admission and a scholarship offer, if applicable, you must sign the form entitled Admission acceptance form that accompanies your offer of admission and send it to Saint Paul University by email, before the deadline, to the following address admission@ustpaul.ca or mail it to:

Saint Paul University
Office of Admissions and Student Services
223 Main Street
Ottawa, Ontario
K1S 1C4
CANADA

 

STEP 7: CHOOSE YOUR COURSES

With your offer of admission, you will receive all the information you will need to choose your courses. You will also receive the contact information for our academic advisors; you can meet with them one on one or during information sessions for guidance and to help you finalize your course selection.

Compulsory Courses (30 credits)

  • THO1306 Exploring the Sacred OR THO1307 Understanding the Bible
  • MIS2108 Theory and Praxis of Interreligious Dialogue OR THO2119 Selected Topics in Practice of the Church I
  • THO2147 Selected Topics in Ethics I  OR THO3166 Moral Existence
  • THO2152  Selected Topics in the New Testament I  OR THO3161 Gospel Interpretation – Mark
  • THO2155  Selected Topics in the Old Testament I OR THO3160 Pentateuch and Historical Books
  • THO2189 Introduction to Theology
  • THO2315 Ethics and the Human Person OR THO2317 Religious Imagination and History
  • THO2316 Religion, culture and diversity
  • THO3125 Contemporary Church History OR THO3167 History of the Church: the First Five Centuries
  • THO3162 Christian Revelation and Faith OR THO3164 Jesus the Christ

Some courses have specific prerequisites.

MIS 2108 - Theory and Praxis of Interreligious Dialogue

Dialogue as co-constitution of humans thanks to religious faith. Prerequisites and challenges involved in interreligious dialogue: in-depth dimension of faith; necessity of self-criticism; hermeneutic of religious convictions. Orthodoxy and orthopraxis. Harmony, conflict and end of religions.

THO 1306 - Exploring the Sacred

The human effort to express the experience of the sacred and to name our sense of the “Beyond”. The different forms such expressions have taken: cosmic wonder and its symbols, foundations stories, ritual life. The meaning of this effort for understanding the quest of the human spirit and its attempts to build order in society and community.

THO 1307 - Understanding the Bible

The Bible: book or library, history or story? History of the Jewish people and of the culture in which the Bible was written. The Bible and its content. Interpreting the text. The Jesus event. The influence of the Bible on history and on contemporary culture.

THO 2119 - Selected Topics in the Practice of the Church I:

Study of a particular topic in the practice of the Church.

THO 2147 - Selected Topics in Ethics I

Study of a particular area of ethics.

THO 2152 - Selected Topics in the New Testament I

Study of a particular area of the New Testament.

THO 2155 - Selected Topics in the Old Testament I

Study of particular area of the Old Testament.

THO 2189 - Introduction to Theology

An introduction to basic questions and fields of inquiry in Christian theology.

THO 2315 - Ethics and the Human Person

What is ethics? Introduction to the key ethical ideas that shape our lives. Ethical riches of the Christian tradition to understand ourselves and our responsibilities to other persons.

THO 2316 - Religion, Culture and Diversity

Exploring the challenges of religious, cultural, and gender diversity. Canadian context and globalization. Feminist approaches, social justice, liberation, religions and cultures.

THO 2317 - Religious Imagination and History

An introduction to the history of Christianity through an exploration of its religious imagination. The use of biblical narratives, liturgy, symbolism, and visual expressions throughout the different periods.

THO 3125 - Contemporary Church History

History of the Church from the 18th century to the present.

THO 3160 - Pentateuch and Historical Books

The Old Testament in its historical and cultural contexts. The Pentateuch: oral traditions; the Yahwistic, Elohistic, Deuteronomistic and Priestly traditions. The Deuteronomistic History.

THO 3161 - Gospel Interpretation - Mark

The cultural and religious context of the New Testament history of the formation of the Gospels. Various methods of interpreting the Gospel texts. Special study of Mark.

THO 3162 - Christian Revelation and Faith

The Revelation of God in the history of Israel and its fulfillment in Jesus Christ. Revelation and the early Christian communities. Theology of revelation. Inspired Scripture and Tradition. Word of God and the response of faith. Christian revelation and world religions.

THO 3164 - Jesus the Christ

Approaches to Jesus of Nazareth. His message and works. Theological interpretation of his death. His resurrection, exaltation, and the eschatological event of salvation. Jesus, Messiah and Saviour. Jesus, son of Mary and Son of God.

THO 3166 - Moral Existence

Introduction to the field of ethics within theology. Historical development of ethical approaches within theology. Constitutive elements of moral existence. Moral existence and Christian faith.

THO 3167 - History of the Church: The First Five Centuries

Relationship between history and theology. Methodology of historical research. Overview of the historical evolution of Christianity from its beginnings to the end of the fifth century.

Contact Us

Office of Admissions and Student Services
Room 154
Saint Paul University
223 Main Street
Ottawa, ON
K1S 1C4
CANADA

Telephone: 613-236-1393
Fax: 613-782-3014
admission@ustpaul.ca

Hours of Operation

August 15 to May 31

Monday to Thursday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Friday 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

June 1 to August 14

Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
1 p.m. to 4 p.m.