Graduate Theological Union

What is the accreditation of Graduate Theological Union?

GTU is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) and by the Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools (ATS). WSCUC provides institutional accreditation; ATS accreditation addresses graduate theological education within its scope.

Accreditation involves external review against an accreditor's standards, but it does not guarantee that credits will transfer, that a graduate will qualify for a particular job, or that a program satisfies a licensing board's rules. Member schools are distinct institutions and may have their own accreditations. Applicants should verify the accrediting status of the institution that will award their degree, especially if they plan to pursue ordination, professional licensure, or further study.

What are the admission requirements at Graduate Theological Union?

Admission to GTU degree programs is a graduate-school process. Applicants generally need a completed bachelor's degree or its equivalent, academic transcripts, and materials showing their preparation and fit for the program. GTU is not a route for first-time applicants seeking a bachelor's degree.

Requirements vary by credential. A master's application may call for a statement of purpose and recommendations; research-focused doctoral admission can require more detailed evidence of scholarly interests and writing ability. Applicants educated in another language may need to document English proficiency under the program's current rules. SAT and ACT scores are undergraduate admissions measures and are not the relevant tests for evaluating GTU's graduate admissions. Before applying, confirm the current program-specific checklist, deadline, and any requirements for prior theological or language study.

What are the application fees and waivers at Graduate Theological Union?

Application charges should be checked in the current application portal for the specific GTU program. An applicant should not assume that a fee quoted by a consortium member school applies to a GTU-awarded degree, or vice versa.

If cost is a barrier, ask the admissions office about fee-waiver eligibility and how to request a waiver before submitting the application. An application fee is separate from tuition and from any later enrollment deposit.

What types of ROTC programs are available at Graduate Theological Union?

GTU does not operate its own Army, Air Force, or Navy ROTC unit. ROTC is primarily an undergraduate officer-training pathway, so it should not be treated as a standard feature of GTU graduate enrollment.

A student interested in military service or an ROTC arrangement through another institution would need to ask the potential host program whether graduate participation is permitted and whether any cross-enrollment agreement applies. Scholarship eligibility and service obligations are determined by the relevant military program, not by admission to GTU.

What are the requirements for transfer students at Graduate Theological Union?

For GTU applicants, "transfer" usually means asking whether previous graduate coursework can count toward a new graduate degree. It is not the same process as transferring into a bachelor's program: GTU recorded no transfer-in undergraduate students in the 2024-25 IPEDS figures.

Applicants seeking graduate transfer credit should submit official records of prior study and obtain a program-specific evaluation. Admission to GTU does not itself establish that earlier credits will satisfy degree requirements. The decisive questions include the level and content of the course, its grade, how recently it was completed, and any limit on credits earned outside the degree-granting institution. Cross-registration within the consortium is a separate arrangement and should also be approved against the student's degree plan.

What types of study abroad programs are available at Graduate Theological Union?

GTU students interested in overseas study should plan it through their degree program rather than assume that a conventional semester-abroad package is built into the curriculum. Religion and theology research can involve international fieldwork, language study, or courses at another institution, but academic approval matters.

Before committing to a program or travel expense, students should establish whether the work will fulfill a requirement, who will evaluate it, and whether their funding can be used for it. Doctoral students should also consider how travel fits their research supervision and expected time to degree. A program offered by a member school or outside partner should not be assumed to be a GTU-operated program.