Spring 2027

Jan 11 - May 7

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Important Dates for Spring 2027:

  • Admissions Application Deadline: November 30, 2026 

  • Scholarship Application Deadline: December 4, 2026 

  • Course Registration Opens: December 14, 2026 

  • First Day of Class January 11, 2027

  • Last day of Class - May 7, 2027

Click here for a complete list of important dates in the student handbook.

Spring 2027 Course Descriptions - NOW AVAILABLE!

  • This seminar introduces seminary students to graduate-level research and writing skills with specific attention to academic writing, theological research, citations, and elements of writing style. The seminar introduces the nature of theological reflection and “thinking theologically” concerning various topics and issues they encounter in academic study and ministry. This course will also cover a basic introduction to Populi including how to use your school email account, access files, submit assignments etc... This course is a prerequisite for all certificates and degrees. 

  • This course is an introduction to the New Testament, the Orthodox understanding of the New Testament and its interpretation, as well as an introduction to the field of modern biblical studies. Together we will survey the history, culture, geography, literary aspects, authorship, theology and important themes of the New Testament and its books. We will also explore the formation of the New Testament canon, manuscripts and issues of translation. We will study the persons, interpretive style and techniques of important early patristic interpreters as well as the theories and methods employed in modern biblical studies. This course fulfills a core requirement for the MTS and the OSC certificate and is an elective for other certificates. 

  • This is a survey of the structure and content of the biblical books of the Old Testament, and associated literature. Additional topics covered include the manuscripts of the Holy Bible, development of the Old Testament Canon, different patristic methodologies for interpreting the Old Testament as well as modern interpretive approaches.This course fulfills a core requirement for the MTS and the OSC certificate and is an elective for other certificates. 

  • ASL + SYN (live sessions will be announced during Week 1)

    This course introduces students to the basics of reading Coptic (Sahidic dialect). No prior knowledge of the ancient Egyptian language or Greek is required. The course will include grammar, morphology, syntax, and hundreds of vocabulary words. Following this course, students should be able to read passages in the New Testament. This course is required for those who are seeking enrollment in the Coptic Studies or Masters' Degree Programs.This course fulfills a core requirement for the MTS and a general elective for all other certificates and programs. 

  • This course focuses on the Orthodox doctrine of the knowledge of God—the Trinity, the humanity and divinity of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the divinity of the Holy Spirit. Other topics discussed include the doctrine of Creation and cosmology, biblical inerrancy, the nature of the Church, and the means of grace and salvation, and eschatology. This course fulfills a core requirement for the MTS and Orthodox Studies certificate and  a general elective for all other certificates and programs. 

  • This course covers the life, writings, doctrines and thoughts of the early church Fathers. It presents the living story of the early church in all its aspects of worship, pastoral and social concepts, preaching and spirituality. This introductory core-course consists of two parts: (1) a general introduction to the Fathers and the main periods of Patristic Literature from post-apostolic times to the beginnings of the Schism between the Oriental and Eastern Orthodox Churches; and (2) a brief profile of some of the most important Fathers of this period and their writings and doctrines focusing on the most influential of them. This course fulfills a core requirement for both MTS and OCL certificate and is an elective for other certificates.

  • This course explores the instructional methods of the Catechetical School of Alexandria and how its practices shaped the development of Christian education. Students will analyze the characteristics of Alexandrian teachers such as Clement, Origen, Athanasius, and Didymus the Blind, and learn how to apply these methods to contemporary Coptic Orthodox education and various church services. Instruction will integrate extrapolating the Orthodox Fathers on education, Jerome Bruner’s constructivist learning theory, adult learning principles, and Orthodox praxis.This course fulfills a church history or general elective for all programs and certificates

  • ASL + SYN Live Online Sessions (on Tuesdays from 5:00pm-8:00pm)

    This course introduces students to the basics of reading Coptic (Sahidic dialect). No prior knowledge of the ancient Egyptian language or Greek is required. The course will include grammar, morphology, syntax, and hundreds of vocabulary words. Following this course, students should be able to read passages in the New Testament. This course is required for those who are seeking enrollment in the Coptic Studies or Masters' Degree Programs. This course fulfills a general elective for all courses and programs.

 

Distributive Learning and Course Modalities  

All of our courses are formatted in a distributive learning, which is an educational and formational model that allows a member of a learning community (students, faculty, and staff) to access content and community life while being located in different, non-centralized locations. Elements may occur synchronously (at the same time from either the same or different places/spaces), asynchronously (at different times from the same place or different places/spaces), or in a blended format. See the course syllabus for more information.

ACTS uses the following terms to better express how the course will occur:

Synchronously (SYN)– a course where instruction takes place with student and instructor physically present or online at the same time. Attendance and participation are typically taken for these courses from the live sessions.

Asynchronously (ASL)- Asynchronous Learning model is a pre-constructed model where students watch pre-recorded material during the week and on their own time schedule such that they meet the weekly requirements in the syllabus. Instructors provide materials, lectures, tests, and assignments throughout the course.

Intensive Courses – a course where classes gather face-to-face over a short period of time, either live online or in person usually for 1 or 2 weeks, but other formats have been done.  Almost all instruction is classroom-based, engaged in these intensive periods, this is a synchronous course.  

Hybrid Courses – a course that meets 3 to 7 times live, on-campus , on different days, plus online asynchronous learning.  

Seminars (SEM)--Seminars do NOT fulfill any requirements for the MTS or ThM degrees. These supplemental seminars are open to all who are interested, regardless of typical registration requirements (undergraduate degree GRE test scores, language requirements, etc. 

Cancellation/Withdrawal Policy

Students who cancel their enrollment within five (5) calendar days after signing the enrollment agreement will receive a full refund, including the application/registration fee and any other tuition or fees paid. Students who withdraw more than five days after signing the enrollment agreement, through the start of the semester, will receive a full refund of all tuition and fees paid, minus the application/registration fee. After the semester has begun, withdrawal is subject to the institution’s refund policy. Students must convey their cancellation or withdrawal by contacting either registrar@acts.edu or finance@acts.edu via email. Any money due to students will be refunded within 30 days of withdrawal.