AMBROSE SEMINARY
AMBROSE SEMINARY
Why Ambrose?
Pursue your calling with purpose and excellence. Ambrose Seminary provides accredited graduate theological education designed to combine academic rigour with real-world application. You will join a vibrant and diverse community of faculty, students, and practitioners dedicated to helping you achieve your personal, spiritual, and vocational goals.
Navigate your education with flexible learning options including online, in-person, hybrid courses, part-time and full-time studies.
Ambrose Seminary centers your learning experience around four goals:
• Nurture theological depth and breadth
• Cultivate a heart after God
• Foster vocational clarity and effectiveness
• Inspire redemptive action
61% PART-TIME STUDENTS
50% MALE-FEMALE DEMOGRAPHIC
45 AVERAGE AGE FACULTY STUDENT
PART-TIME STUDENTS
PROGAMS & COURSES
100 YEARS OF HIGHER EDUCATION
215 SEMINARY STUDENTS
16:1 FACULTY TO STUDENT RATIO
Master of Divinity (MDiv)
90 credit hours with a three to five-month internship. (Available in Chinese language)
Prepare for your future in pastoral ministry as a lead, associate, youth, or children’s pastor in a domestic or intercultural context.
Ambrose Seminary’s highly regarded Master of Divinity program offers two areas of focus: pastoral ministries and intercultural ministries. Examine the current issues of pastoral or intercultural ministry while you are immersed in biblical and theological studies.
Learn in an environment that both teaches and models the academic, spiritual, and practical aspects of ministry life from faculty that have vast experience in ministry settings.
MASTERS
An MDiv gives you the opportunity to engage in a wide variety of courses covering topics such as: biblical languages, biblical studies, theological studies, and personal and professional formation. The MDiv is a widely recognized ministry credential in many denominational settings.
Ambrose Bachelor of Arts: Christian Studies graduates receive 30 credits of Advanced Standing with Credit.
Master in Leadership & Ministry (MLM)
60 credit hours with a three to five-month internship. (Available in Chinese language)
This program is designed to enhance the ministries of experienced pastors and to prepare others for ministry roles such as education and discipleship, counselling or leadership, chaplaincy or community development.
Develop your leadership abilities alongside various ministry skills for effective Christian service in church ministry, non-profit work, chaplaincy, and other churchrelated ministries.
Specialize in spiritual care or poverty studies. You will be equipped to understand your vocation and identity in Christ, and to integrate the personal and theological dimensions of your life.
The flexibility of the program allows you to tailor the program to fit the areas that will make the most of your gifts, interests, and calling.
MASTERS
Master in Intercultural Ministries (MIM)
60 credit hours with a three to five-month internship
Complement your biblical and theological studies with an understanding of what it means to witness to people in different religious, social, and cultural contexts. Deepen your understanding of your faith and build practical skills to respond to cross-cultural needs in Christian ministry. The MIM program will equip you to serve in specialized cross-cultural ministries in North America or in international contexts. This program can fulfill the educational requirements to be licensed as an international worker with The Christian and Missionary Alliance.
Theological Studies in Chinese (TSC)
Four programs are offered entirely in Mandarin:
• Master of Divinity (90 credit hours)
• Master in Leadership and Ministry (60 credit hours)
• Master of Christian Studies (60 credit hours)
• Diploma in Christian Studies (30 credit hours)
• Certificate in Leadership (15 credit hours)
For more information, visit: ambrose.edu/program/tsc
Master of Christian Studies (MCS)
60 credit hours (Available in Chinese language)
Designed for students focused on personal growth and spiritual formation, the MCS program develops deeper knowledge in areas of interest such as biblical languages, Old Testament, New Testament, preaching, and theology. Invest in your spiritual formation, pursue roles in lay ministry, and develop greater biblical and theological fluency.
As an academic and professional program, no internship is included, instead students engage in a final capstone project that works to incorporate the full scope of their learning.
Master of Theological Studies (MTS)
60 credit hours (Includes thesis)
Build on your prior theological education as you broaden and deepen your understanding of the Bible and theology. Complete advanced studies in one of three program streams: New Testament, Old Testament, or theology.
Work closely with a supervisor to develop a thesis in your chosen stream, while building the skills needed to study at the doctoral level as you continue toward a career in academic research or teaching.
This thesis-based master’s program is designed for students with an academic background in biblical and theological studies who want to pursue further study or teaching. To enter the MTS program, you need an undergraduate degree that includes two classes in each of the following categories: Greek, Hebrew, New Testament, Old Testament, and theology.
Graduate Certificate in Spiritual Care 21 credit hours
This program is intended to develop skills for professional practice in the growing field of chaplaincy. Incorporate skills to provide spiritual and emotional support in pursuit of the spiritual health and well-being of individuals. The program enables you to pursue chaplaincy in a variety of contexts.
The Certificate in Spiritual Care can be taken concurrently with one of our full-length programs. Students can take courses that would meet the requirements for the Certificate in Spiritual Care as part of the MDiv or MLM program and earn both credentials.
• Clinical Psycho-spiritual Education (CPE)
Ambrose has partnered with AHS to enable students to take this AHS offering and incorporate it into an Ambrose Seminary program. For more information, or to apply to a CPE course of study visit: albertahealthservices.ca/ services/page13213.aspx.
To see how these CPE units can be incorporated into an Ambrose program visit ambrose.edu/ seminary-academiccalendar/internshipprogram/clinical-pastoraleducation)
Graduate Certificate in Intercultural Studies 21 credit hours
The Certificate in Intercultural Studies prepares students to work in a variety of intercultural vocations both domestically and internationally. Courses completed as part of the Certificate in Intercultural Studies program may be applied to the requirements of the Graduate Diploma in Christian Studies or to the requirements of the Master in Intercultural Ministries, Master in Leadership and Ministry, Master of Christian Studies, or the Master of Divinity programs. The Certificate in Intercultural Studies can meet the educational requirements for licensing as an international worker with The Christian and Missionary Alliance.
Graduate Certificate in Leadership
15 credit hours (Available in Chinese language)
Get equipped with the basics to serve in ministry. Courses taken as part of the Graduate Certificate in Christian Studies may be applied to the requirements of the Graduate Diploma in Christian Studies or to the requirements of the Master in Intercultural Ministries, Master in Leadership and Ministry, Master of Christian Studies, or the Master of Divinity programs.
FLEXIBLE STUDIES
Graduate Certificate in Christian Studies 15 credit hours (Available in Chinese language)
Get equipped with the basics to serve in ministry. Courses taken as part of the Graduate Certificate in Christian Studies may be applied to the requirements of the Graduate Diploma in Christian Studies or to the requirements of the Master in Intercultural Ministries, Master in Leadership and Ministry, Master of Christian Studies, or the Master of Divinity programs
Graduate Diploma in Christian Studies
30 credit hours (Available in Chinese language)
Become equipped to serve in ministry and direct your studies to the areas that interest you most. Courses completed as part of the Diploma in Christian Studies program may be applied to the requirements of the Master in Intercultural Ministries, Master in Leadership and Ministry, Master of Christian Studies, or the Master of Divinity program
Gain credentials with every class you take
We’re flexible! As your classes add up, so do your credentials. Five classes gives you a certificate. At ten you have a diploma and at 20 you’ve completed a full degree. Choose from a flexible schedule - regular daytime, week-long, evening, and weekend.
1 to 3
Start with one to three courses
(Open Studies)
Reach 5
Five classes earn you a certificate (Five total courses)
Plus 5
Take five more classes to earn a diploma (Ten total courses)
Plus 10
Take ten more classes to earn a full degree (Twenty total courses)
Flexible classes help accommodate various schedules allowing students to pursue their theological education amidst the complexities of life.
• Online (synchronous and asynchronous options)
• Evenings
• Weekends
• Week-long modular
• In-person
FLEXIBLE STUDIES
At every level of education, those that teach have an immense impact on the quality of your education. Ambrose Seminary faculty combine scholarly research with years of practical ministry experience to help ensure the quality and relevance of your studies.
QUALITY IMPACT FACULTY
FACULTY
Ambrose faculty continue to engage the issues that face the church and society through both their scholarly work and their involvement withing the broader community
Rob Snow PhD
Dean of Theology
Rob’s academic discipline is New Testament studies with a specialization in the Gospel of Mark, apocalyptic literature and the use of the Old Testament in the New Testament. Rob is particularly interested in the ways that the literature, culture, and religious environment of the later Second Temple period influences the theology of the New Testament writings, particularly the Synoptic Gospels.
Stuart Williams DMin
Associate Dean of Theology
Stuart holds a Doctorate of Ministry, from the Nazarene Theological Seminary where he was awarded a Dissertation of Distinction for his work. His dissertation work focuses on Intercultural ministry in the local church, and is titled “The Intercultural Congregation: Thinking, Living and Loving Racial Diversity with the Local Church: Developing an Intercultural Ministry Framework for Life Together.” Stuart also has over 15 years of pastoral ministry experience.
Mark Buchanan MCS
Associate Professor of Pastoral Theology
Mark’s most recent area of research is on Christian pacifist resistance to Nazi oppression in WWII France. He also has a deep love for Canada’s First Peoples. His writings gather and blend all of these influences.
Christina Conroy PhD
Associate Professor of Theology
Christina works in the area of contemplative and constructive theology with expertise in residential school history, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, and Indigenous-Settler relations. Current research interests include the intersection of neuroscience, epigenetics, and trauma with Christian theology.
Charles Cook PhD
Professor of Global Studies and Mission; Director, Jaffray Centre for Global Initiatives
Charles has been involved in establishing communities of faith in a variety of places around the world building on his own experience living in places like Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. On returning to Canada, he assumed the role of Professor of Global Studies and Mission at Ambrose University. His research revolves around Canadian Churches in mission.
Jon Coutts PhD
Associate Professor of Christian Theology
As a result of spending life with one foot in the systematic-political and the other in the pastoral-practical, Jon’s teaching tends toward these intersections. In his current research, Jon is looking into Bonhoeffer’s theology of “mandates,” Jesus’ teaching on inter-personal forgiveness, and the films of the Coen brothers (and other directors).
Jonathan Lo PhD
Associate Professor of New Testament
Jonathan has taught New Testament studies inter- nationally for over 10 years. His research interests include biblical intertextuality and the insight it yields into New Testament texts and beliefs, the historical origins of Christianity, and the phenomenon of contemporary biblical contextualization, especially within Hong Kong Christian communities.
Beth Stovell PhD
Professor of Old Testament and Chair, General Theological Studies
Beth specializes in biblical Hebrew poetry, biblical hermeneutics, the use of the Old Testament in the New Testament, and the use of biblical metaphors, particularly in Prophetic Literature and in John’s Gospel, John’s Letters, and Revelation. She cares about bridging the gap between the academy and the Church. Beth writes for scholarly journals and books, for commentaries, and for popular magazines such as Faith Today, Christianity Today, and Bible Study Magazine.
Ric Strangway DMin
Associate Professor of Theology, Chair of Continuing Education, Coordinator of Field Education
Ric cares deeply about the local church and formation for Christian ministry, particularly as it relates to the Story of God. With a passion for nurturing and equipping church leaders, Ric integrates his own experience into his teachings.
Arch Wong PhD
Professor of Practical Theology
Associate Director, Flourishing Congregations Institute
Arch’s current research is in the areas of discipleship/spiritual and character formation, pastoral care, congregational studies, flourishing congregations, pastoral and teacher well-being, qualitative and quantitative research methodologies for practical theology and education, and Western/Indigenous/Asian epistemologies.
Alice Kung MALM
Lecturer, Children and Family Ministries
Alice has continued her research with particular interest in current trends and movements in children and family ministry. Alice brings vast experience in children and family ministries in local church contexts.
Julie Dykes
Lecturer, Old Testament
Julie has a passion for studying and teaching the Old Testament as a vital, enriching, and necessary part of Christian theology, especially by discussing the metaphors of Scripture. Her dissertation focuses on the use of metaphors that describe Yahweh as creator in Isaiah 40-55, particularly those that draw on builder and familial language.
Paramount to the Ambrose experience is faculty Investment in the spiritual formation of students that is deeply formative, encouraging vitality and longevity, during their time at Ambrose and beyond.
FINANCE & SCHOLARSHIPS
19:1
STUDENT TO FACULTY RATIO
4 VARSITY TEAM SPORTS
60 MINUTES TO THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS
Ambrose University offers robust financial aid programs to help students pursue their academic goals, with average annual scholarships of $1,700. With a range of scholarships, grants, and work/study opportunities, Ambrose helps reduce financial barriers that may hinder students’ access to quality education.
50
Full Year Tuition and Fees
DENOMINATIONS REPRESENTED
1.7K AVERAGE SCHOLARSHIP
22.3 UNDERGRAD AVERAGE
(Based on a full course load -15 credits each semester)
Seminary
Single course
Full year (30 credit hours)
15 STUDENT CLUBS
#4
MOST LIVEABLE CITY WORLDWIDE
$1608.00
$17,430.00
40% INTERNATIONAL STUDENT BODY
Seminary Scholarships
Note: Tuition and fees are subject to change without notice. Listed tuition and fees are valid for 2023-2024 academic year.
700 KILOMETRES OF BIKE PATHS
To see a full breakdown of our tuition and fees, please visit ambrose.edu/tuition-fees
2.3K SUNLIGHT HOURS PER YEAR
37.6
AVERAGE AGE OF CALGARIAN
LOCAL PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS
[ 100% OF PROGRAMS INCLUDE WORK INTEGRATED LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES
71% OF STUDENTS SAID WORK INTEGRATED LEARNING HELPED THEM GET A JOB (Statistics Canada Survey, 2018)
General Entrance Scholarship: Academic and Leadership – receive up to $3,000
• $2,000 based on undergraduate GPA for students with a minimum GPA of 3.0
• $1,000 for involvement in leadership within ministry contexts
Church Servant Leadership Scholarship – up to $4,000
• For full-time students, based on church nomination and sponsorship; up to $2,000 yearly is matched by Ambrose
120 LANGUAGES SPOKEN 120+
Church Partner Program Scholarship – up to $600/ year
• Up to $100 of church donation per course is matched by Ambrose
Continuing Student Scholarship – between $500-$10,000
• For returning students based on academic achievement, leadership, and program funding
Student Financial Assistance – between $500-$10,000
• Supporting students with demonstrated financial need
Finish Free Scholarship – $16,080
• For MDiv students entering their third year who have completed 60 credits of the program at Ambrose, with a minimum GPA of 3.0
$1.4M ASSISTANCE AWARDED
88% OF STUDENTS RECEIVE A SCHOLARSHIP
NORTH AMERICA’S BUSIEST
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Personal Qualifications
Your application must demonstrate a personal commitment to Christ that has existed at least one year prior to your projected date of enrolment. You should also have reputable character, and a motivation to learn.
Upon submission of an application the following documentation will be required to demonstrate these criteria are met:
• A two to three-page testimony.
• A letter of reference from a pastor or denominational leader.
• A letter of reference from an employer or professional acquaintance.
Academic Qualifications
• A baccalaureate degree or its educational equivalent from a recognized or accredited university, college, or Bible college.
• A minimum GPA of 2.7 on a 4.0 scale in your last 60 credit hours of study.
Special Admission
Additional Requirements for Applicants to the Master of Theological Studies
• A baccalaureate degree or its educational equivalent from a recognized or accredited university, college, or Bible college with a 3.0 CGPA on a 4.0 scale.
• 30 credits in bible, theology, and language studies with a minimum 3.0 GPA in these courses.
• A writing sample in one of the concentration areas (Old Testament, New Testament, Theology.
• I nterview may be required.
English Language Proficiency
If English is not your first language, you must demonstrate English proficiency through one of the accepted options. For more details and information, visit: ambrose. edu/seminary/admissions
Mature Student Requirements
Should you not have an undergraduate degree there is the possibility to pursue admission via the mature student admissions pathway. Mature students are generally 28 years of age or older.
Anyone seeking admission to a Seminary program at Ambrose University as a mature student must first complete either the Graduate Certificate in Christian Studies, Graduate Certificate in Leadership or Graduate Diploma in Christian Studies, achieving a minimum CGPA of 2.7.
If successful, the individual can then pursue one of the following programs:
• Master of Christian Studies
• Master in Intercultural Ministries
• Master in Leadership and Ministry
• Master of Divinity
• Graduate Certificate in Spiritual Care
Additionally, students seeking mature student admission to the Master of Theological Studies are required to first complete the Master in Intercultural Ministries, Master in Leadership and Ministry, Master of Christian Studies, or Master of Divinity program with a 3.0 CGPA.
DEADLINES
Canadian Applicants
August 1
December 10
USA Applicants
July 15
November 15
Applicants from outside Canada or the USA
March 1
July 1
Master of Theological Studies
Early Deadline
January 15
Students who have completed a baccalaureate degree or its educational equivalent (with a minimum of 90 credit hours) from a recognized or accredited university, college, or Bible College with a GPA greater than 2.0 and less than 2.7 on a 4.0 scale may be considered for admission as a Special Admissions Student. Speak to an advisor for more information.
September 15
Regular Deadline for Fall Semester for Winter Semester for Fall Semester for Winter Semester for Fall Semester for Winter Semester for Fall Semester for Winter Semester for Fall Semester for Winter Semester
April 15
November 1
COMMUNITY & CULTURE
61% PART-TIME STUDENTS
Thrive academically, socially, and spiritually
Ambrose Seminary offers a vibrant campus life that fosters a close-knit community and rich cultural experience. Being embedded within Ambrose University allows seminary students to interact with seminary and undergraduate students utilizing the many resources campus has to offer.
Chapel services center the institution around communal worship. Seminary commons provides a place on campus for seminary students to participate in community events, study, and connect with one another. Our campus library provides students access to one of the largest private collections in Western Canada.
100 YEARS OF HIGHER EDUCATION 68% INCREASE IN INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
215 SEMINARY STUDENTS 50% MALE-FEMALE DEMOGRAPHIC 45 AVERAGE AGE 16:1 FACULTY TO STUDENT RATIO
29 DENOMINATIONS REPRESENTED
5 CONTINENTS REPRESENTED
1.64M MILLION PEOPLE
60 MINUTES TO THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS
2.3K SUNLIGHT HOURS PER YEAR #4 MOST LIVEABLE CITY WORLDWIDE
Ambrose University offers a vibrant campus life that fosters a close-knit community and rich cultural experience. Being embedded within Ambrose University allows seminary students to interact with seminary and undergraduate students utilizing the many resources campus has to offer. Chapel services center the institution around communal worship. Seminary commons provides a place on campus for seminary students to participate in community events, study, and connect with one another. Our campus library provides students access to one of the largest private collections in Western Canada.
Spiritual Formation
Ambrose prioritizes spiritual formation as an integral part of your educational journey. We provide intentional spaces and practices that invite you to deepen your relationship with God, nurture spiritual disciplines, and cultivate a vibrant faith. Your time at Ambrose will immerse you in a holistic approach to ministry and personal transformation.
Community
Our community is a vibrant tapestry of diverse backgrounds, passions, and callings. Students, staff, and faculty come together in a spirit of collaboration and mutual support. Ambrose Seminary promotes community-driven activities such as lunches, retreats, and times of worship. During your time at Ambrose, you will learn from your community as much as from your textbooks.
Support Services
Ambrose has many support services focused on assisting with resources for your personal, physical, spiritual, or academic well-being. You are able to access services such as counselling, crisis supports, and mental health services. Our Student Academic Success team provides tutoring, workshops, accessibility supports, and various other services to assist you in your studies. Seminary 101 courses can assist you in learning essential skills to help you succeed at the graduate level.
International Students
As you pursue theological studies, you will gain a global perspective, expand your cultural understanding, and forge lifelong connections with students from around the world. Ambrose is a designated learning institution with the Government of Canada, which opens up various opportunities for international students. International Student Advisor: internationaladmissions@ ambrose.edu
Find out more at: ambrose.edu/international
“Ambrose taught me a Rule of Life – personalized rhythms of prayer, Sabbath, hard work, and good rest – that is a platform I’ve continued to build on. It’s been critical as I navigate ministry with a full portfolio and raising a young family.”
Recruit Me
Justin Fox Local Pastor – Master of Arts in Leadership and Ministry (Class of 2023)
Ambrose campus is located on the traditional territories of the people of the Treaty 7 region in Southern Alberta, specifically the traditional land of the Blackfoot people. The City of Calgary is also home to the Metis Nation of Alberta, Region III.
Located in southwest Calgary, just minutes from public transportation, you can easily access the core of the city, as well as the nearby Rocky Mountains. Ambrose University seeks the health and well-being of the city. Faculty, staff, students, and alumni invest in local churches across the city and other organizations that continue to have an impact on countless people. Ambrose is home to the Canadian Poverty Institute, Flourishing Congregations Institute, and Jaffray Centre for Global Initiatives, all of which are invested in researching and implementing local, national, and global initiatives.
CALGARY & BEYOND
61% PART-TIME STUDENTS
50% MALE-FEMALE DEMOGRAPHIC
100 YEARS OF HIGHER EDUCATION
215 SEMINARY STUDENTS
45 AVERAGE AGE 16:1 FACULTY TO STUDENT RATIO
68% INCREASE IN INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
29 DENOMINATIONS REPRESENTED
5 CONTINENTS REPRESENTED
1.64M MILLION PEOPLE
60 MINUTES TO THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS
#4 MOST LIVEABLE CITY WORLDWIDE
2.3K SUNLIGHT HOURS PER YEAR
Come Visit Ambrose University
Come visit Ambrose University! Campus visits are an essential step for prospective students seeking an enriched educational experience. On your visit, you can take in the vibrant campus atmosphere, connect with faculty, explore our facilities, and get a glimpse of your future as part of our welcoming community. Learn more about programs, admissions, financial aid and more. Book through the QR code below or contact our Admissions team today to book an in-person or virtual campus tour, or sign up for our seminary events.
