Frequently Asked Questions

I am not planning to be a pastor. Is seminary for me?
Yes! Seminary education is for anyone looking for a learning community that will help you learn what it means to live out the Gospel more fully in everyday life.

I don’t have any formal training in Bible or theology. Am I eligible to apply?
Students with a completed bachelor's degree in any discipline are invited to apply. In fact, most of our students come with no previous Bible or theology education.

I have been away from school for a long time. Will I be the oldest one in the classroom?
The average age of an ACTS Seminaries student is 36, but we have students in their 20s, all the way to students in their 70s. Many ACTS students have been away from formal education for a decade or more. Having students with a wealth of life experience in the classroom provides the opportunity for incredibly rich and meaningful conversation.

I have been away from school for a long time. Will I have the skills to succeed at the seminary level?
The application assessment process is designed to help both ACTS staff and prospective students decide whether you are ready for seminary. If ACTS admits you to a program, take that as our vote of confidence in your ability to succeed! We have a variety of academic support services through the Learning Commons to help ease you back into study.

I don’t have a completed Bachelor's degree. Am I eligible to apply?
Our goal in the admissions process is to help make sure you’re ready to succeed in your studies. If you don’t have a bachelor's degree, we can look at whether your work experience, ministry experience and formal or informal education have prepared you to succeed at seminary. Your enrolment advisor will walk with you through this process.

How can I afford seminary?
There is no doubt that a seminary education is a significant expense. Enrolment advisors are happy to talk to you about funding options, which can include personal finances, government/bank loans, seminary financial aid, external financial aid, and on-campus employment. We can also set up a monthly tuition payment plan, to help break up the payments into something more manageable.

How does ACTS deliver its classes and degrees?
ACTS offers classes in a variety of formats for most programs. We offer regular weekly classes that can be attended either on campus or remotely via live-stream; on-campus one-week intensive classes; and online classes based on pre-recorded lectures and web-based interaction with peers and faculty that allow for maximum scheduling flexibility throughout the week.

How much time do I need to devote to studies?
Depending on the class format chosen, expect to spend 8-10 hours per week per course on everything related to your studies.

How is ACTS related to Trinity Western University?
ACTS Seminaries is a partnership of four seminaries that together form a graduate school of theological studies at TWU. ACTS students are TWU students, and ACTS alumni are TWU alumni. This means that as an ACTS student, you get access to all services provided by TWU.

ACTS Seminaries is made of up four seminaries representing different denominations. Do I need to be part of one of those denominations to attend?
Nope! ACTS Seminaries students are from dozens of different denominational backgrounds. That’s one of the great things about studying at ACTS - you learn and worship together with fellow students and faculty from many different traditions, all united by our desire to follow Jesus.