
The seminary identifies the Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools as its institutional accreditor. This is accreditation of the theological school; it should not be confused with a separate license to practice a profession or with ecclesiastical approval for ordination.
Accreditation provides an external review of a school against the accreditor's standards, but it does not guarantee that another institution will accept particular credits. Federal financial-aid eligibility also depends on the institution's participation in applicable programs and the student's individual eligibility. Applicants making a decision based on accreditation should check the commission's current institutional listing and the approval status of their intended degree.
Admission is oriented toward graduate theological study rather than entry directly from high school. An applicant should expect the seminary to review prior college education and the applicant's reasons for pursuing theological study. Preparation for priesthood can involve an additional process with church authorities beyond admission to an academic program.
A prospective student should obtain the requirements for the specific degree and applicant category before assembling an application. In particular, confirm which transcripts, references, personal statements, interviews, and evidence of English proficiency apply. Applicants considering priestly formation should ask how a bishop's or other church authority's sponsorship fits into the process; admission to coursework alone should not be interpreted as acceptance for ordination.
Applicants should confirm the seminary's current application charge for their intended program before submitting a form. A charge for applying, if assessed, is different from tuition, a registration charge, or a deposit due after admission.
Anyone for whom an application charge would be a barrier should ask the admissions office about a waiver before submission, when a waiver may need to be approved or entered as part of the application process. Applicants sponsored for priestly formation should also clarify whether the sponsor handles application expenses.
ROTC is not a defining part of the seminary's graduate theological education. Applicants should not assume that its Pittsburgh location gives them access to Army, Air Force, or Navy ROTC through another institution.
ROTC participation generally requires enrollment in an approved program, compliance with its eligibility rules, and acceptance of any associated service obligation. A prospective student seeking both theological study and an officer-commissioning path would need confirmation from the relevant ROTC host institution and the seminary that the two programs can be combined.
For this graduate seminary, the practical transfer question is usually whether prior graduate theology coursework can count toward a particular degree. Admission as a student and acceptance of individual courses for credit are separate decisions.
Applicants with previous coursework should provide official transcripts and request a course-by-course evaluation before relying on a projected graduation date. The seminary may need syllabi or catalog descriptions to compare content and credit levels. Requirements tied to ministry formation or study in the Byzantine tradition may still need to be completed through the seminary even when other coursework is accepted.
Students should not assume that a conventional semester-abroad program is part of the seminary's graduate curriculum. Its specialized coursework and, for some students, formation commitments make advance academic approval especially important for any study elsewhere.
An applicant interested in overseas theological study should ask whether the seminary approves particular outside courses, how those credits would apply to the degree, and whether travel would conflict with required on-campus activities. Financial-aid eligibility for study at another institution would require a separate determination; approval to travel is not the same as approval for credit or aid.
Open admission policy
NoDual credit
YesCredit for life experiences
NoAdvanced placement (AP) credits
NoStudent can complete their preparation in certain areas of specialization
NoPreparation at another institution required
NoApproved by the state for initial certification or licensure of teacher
NoData last updated on November 2, 2026
Data sources: IPEDS 2024-25, Peterson 2026, College Scorecard 10/2026, Clery 2024 (2023-24), OpenAlex 2026
Figures on this profile come from federal and third-party datasets in the editions listed above and are refreshed periodically, so they may differ from what the institution currently reports. Confirm costs, deadlines and requirements with the school before making decisions.