The Archbishop’s Scholarship for Leadership in Catholic education was created to foster the pursuit of Catholic higher education for educators within the CISVA. The Archbishop’s Scholarship will reimburse successful applicants their tuition fees upon completion of each of three designated Catholic Core courses:

• Foundations of Theology (THEO 501)
• Christian Morality (THEO 530)
• Introduction to Scripture (SCRI 505)

Eligibility details and frequently asked questions can be found below.

Eligibility

1. Open to all TRB-certified teachers from CISVA and Affiliated schools within the Archdiocese of Vancouver. The scholarship is also open to Education Assistants, Vice-Principals and Principals.

2. Successful applicants will have demonstrated leadership experience or show promise in the areas of religious education, faith development, campus ministry, or working as department heads, vice-principals and principals.

3. Recipients of the Formation for Lay Ministry Scholarship are not eligible to apply for the Archbishop’s Scholarship for Leadership in Catholic Education.

4. The Archbishop’s Scholarship applies only to designated Catholic Core courses offered through St. Mark’s College at the University of British Columbia. It provides for full tuition reimbursement for these courses upon successful completion (defined as attaining a course grade of 70% or better). Scholarships are available for up to 3 courses.

5. Applicants must be employed by a Catholic school within the Archdiocese of Vancouver and be under contract at the time of course engagement.

6. Preference will be given to teachers on a continuing/grandfather contract but short-term contract holders are eligible to apply.

7. Funding for the Archbishop’s Scholarship for Leadership in Catholic Education is renewed annually and not guaranteed year to year.

8. Upon receiving the Archbishop’s Scholarship for Leadership in Catholic Education, recipients are encouraged to complete all three courses within three years of accepting the scholarship. Recipients may be asked to reapply for the scholarship if the courses are completed outside of this timeframe.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does taking these Catholic Core courses replace the Foundations of the Catholic Faith requirement?
Completing all three courses fulfills the Foundations of the Catholic Faith requirement except for the two-day retreat component which would remain.

Are Educational Assistants eligible to apply for this scholarship?
The scholarship is open to all TRB qualified teachers and contracted Educational Assistants at a Catholic school within the Archdiocese of Vancouver.

In taking these Catholic Core courses how does this impact the salary that I receive?
Successful completion of these 3 courses does not on its own lead to a salary adjustment. If the applicant is enrolled in an academic program and these courses can count toward the completion of that program the degree or certificate obtained would be assessed against the CISVA’s Teacher Salary Scale. In such cases please be sure to speak with your principal to allow for adequate budget planning should an adjustment be required.

For Affiliated school teachers, you need to check with your respective school to determine what impact, if any, taking these courses has on your salary.

When can I be reimbursed for taking these Catholic Core courses?
You will be reimbursed after successfully completing the course. If you have signed the waiver at the end of the application process, St. Mark’s College will inform the Superintendent’s Office of your successful completion. Successful completion is defined as attaining a course grade of 70% or better.

Who is eligible to apply for the Archbishop’s scholarship for Leadership in Catholic Education?
The Scholarship is open to all TRB certified teachers at a Catholic school in the Archdiocese of Vancouver, as well as Education Assistants, Principals and Vice-Principals. This includes Affiliated schools as well.

I am not interested in becoming a principal but do wish to deepen my knowledge and understanding of my faith in an academic context. Am I eligible to apply?
Yes. We encourage applicants from any TRB certified teacher, Education Assistant, Vice-Principal or Principal within the system who wishes to improve themselves in these areas.

I am currently enrolled in a program at St. Mark’s. Am I eligible to apply for this scholarship?
Yes. Students currently enrolled in a program at St. Mark’s are able to apply for the Archbishop’s Scholarship for the applicable courses.

I have recently completed one of the Catholic Core courses listed as eligible for the Archbishop’s Scholarship. Can the Scholarship be retroactively applied?
This Scholarship applies only to Introduction to Scripture (SCRI 505), Christian Morality (THEO 530), and Foundations of Theology (THEO 501). It is not retroactively applied.

Can the Archbishop’s Scholarship be applied to courses outside of the Catholic Core?
No. The Scholarship can only be used for the three Catholic Core courses.

Can I apply for the Archbishop’s Scholarship for all three Catholic Core courses?
Yes, provided you successfully complete each course, and provided you confirm with the Superintendent’s office that the funding is ongoing. 

Scholarship recipients are encouraged to complete the Catholic Core Courses within three years of accepting the scholarship.

Will these Catholic Core courses be offered online or in venues other than at St. Mark’s?
At the present time, the courses are all taught virtually, either one evening a week during Fall, Winter and Summer 1 (April-June) terms, and during an intensive 3-week period in July.

Archbishop’s Scholarship and potential students in Catholic Core courses
Archbishop’s Scholarship pays for the tuition fees for 3 graduate courses: 

• THEO 501: Foundations of Theology
• THEO 530: Christian Morality
• SCRI 505: Introduction to Scripture

All teachers, leaders and education assistants are encouraged to take the Catholic Core courses, particularly:

• Teachers interested in leadership in Catholic scholars
• Religion teachers
• Department heads
• Campus ministers

What are the fees a student would need to pay?
View tuition and fees for graduate students.