Columbia Theological Seminary

Name

Columbia Theological Seminary

Legal name

Columbia Theological Seminary

Website

https://ctsnet.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1828

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Theological Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (61131), Religious Organizations (8131)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Seminaries (Graduate Theology & Ministry) (EDAHAKAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Denominational Theological Colleges (e.g., Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant, Evangelical) (EDAHAKAM)

Keywords

• Graduate theological education
• Seminary degree programs
• Continuing education clergy
• Ministry formation
• Presbyterian theological training

Headquarters

HQ city

Decatur

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Graduate Tuition and Fees: Revenue from six graduate degree programs (MDiv, MA in Practical Theology, MA in Theological Studies, ThM, Doctor of Ministry, Doctor of Educational Ministry) including continuing education and certificate programs.
2. Donations and Charitable Giving: Annual fund (Meet the Call), capital campaigns, endowed scholarships, planned giving, and Columbia Friendship Circle contributions from alumni, individuals, congregations, and denominational bodies.
3. Financial Aid: Student financial aid programs including grants, loans, and scholarships to support degree program enrollment.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Columbia Theological Seminary is a graduate theological institution of the Presbyterian Church (USA) that delivers six graduate degree programs (Master of Divinity, Master of Arts in Practical Theology, Master of Arts in Theological Studies, Master of Theology, Doctor of Ministry, and Doctor of Educational Ministry) alongside dual-degree options, graduate certificates, and a Center for Lifelong Learning providing continuing education, spiritual formation, and pastoral excellence programs for clergy and lay professionals. The seminary educates and nurtures pastoral leaders, chaplains, counselors, nonprofit leaders, and academic researchers through residential, hybrid, and online formats from a 57-acre LEED-certified campus in Decatur, Georgia.

Product overview

Columbia Theological Seminary offers a comprehensive suite of graduate theological education products centered around six degree programs: the Master of Divinity (MDiv), Master of Arts in Practical Theology (MAPT), Master of Arts in Theological Studies (MA/TS), Master of Theology (ThM), Doctor of Ministry (DMin), and Doctor of Educational Ministry (DEdMin). These core programs are complemented by dual degree options (MDiv/MAPT and MDiv/MA(TS)), the Graduate Certificate in Intercultural Chaplaincy, and non-degree offerings through the Center for Lifelong Learning including Spiritual Formation and Older Adult Ministry certificates. Additional services include the Ministering to Ministers support program, John Bulow Campbell Library, and Center for Academic Literacy. The institution operates as a unified theological education platform serving pastoral leaders through both residential graduate programs and continuing education for working clergy.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Center for Lifelong Learning: The Center for Lifelong Learning (CLL) at Columbia Theological Seminary offers online and in-person continuing education opportunities for clergy and church professionals, including workshops, seminars, and certificate programs.
• Ministering to Ministers (MTM)
• Harrington Center
• John Bulow Campbell Library

Products and services

• Master of Divinity (MDiv) A graduate-level degree program engaging students in rigorous academic study and intentional contextual learning to serve a multidimensional Church in an ever-changing public sphere. Designed for individuals preparing for ordained ministry and pastoral leadership roles.
• Master of Arts in Practical Theology (MAPT) A graduate program focused on the practice of educational ministries, pastoral care, pastoral theology, worship, preaching, and the arts. Designed for students preparing for specialized ministry roles beyond ordained parish ministry.
• Master of Arts in Theological Studies (MA/TS) A flexible graduate program for those preparing for doctoral studies, church leadership positions, or specialized forms of lay ministry. Provides broad theological studies grounding across biblical, historical, and theological disciplines.
• Master of Theology (ThM) A graduate program designed for those who want additional academic preparation for professional ministry and/or training for an academic vocation. Provides post-MDiv advanced study in a theological discipline.
• Doctor of Ministry (DMin) A hybrid, part-time leadership development program designed for experienced pastoral leaders of any denomination currently engaged in ministry. Combines online coursework with on-campus intensives.
• Doctor of Educational Ministry (DEdMin) A hybrid, part-time program designed for those actively involved in a position of educational ministry to enhance the practice of educational ministry. Combines online and on-campus components.
• MDiv/MAPT Dual Degree Combined MDiv and MAPT degrees offering students a robust opportunity to explore depth and breadth of theological education, pursuing both degrees concurrently to reduce overall time required to graduate with both.
• MDiv/MA(TS) Dual Degree Combined MDiv and MA(TS) degrees allowing students to concurrently pursue both degrees, reducing overall time to graduation.
• Graduate Certificate in Intercultural Chaplaincy A certificate program teaching students to provide effective spiritual care and leadership across diversity and differences. Designed for individuals preparing for chaplaincy roles in intercultural contexts.
• Center for Lifelong Learning Offers continuing education, certificate programs, spirituality programs, pastoral excellence programs, online learning, scholar programs, and continuing education courses for church professionals and lay people. Delivered online and in-person through the Harrington Center.
• Spiritual Formation Certificate A certificate program that enriches spiritual insights and growth through diverse courses of the participant's choosing, offered through the Center for Lifelong Learning for clergy and lay people.
• Older Adult Ministry Certificate

Quantifiable outcome

• 50 students graduated Class of 2026 with 55 degrees/diplomas conferred
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• ARCHÉ Cross Registration ProgramcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Atlanta Higher Education institutions allowing cross-registration for students to access courses across participating schools in the Atlanta area.
• Presbyterian Theological Seminaries (PCUSA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration among Presbyterian Church (USA) seminaries for student exchange, shared resources, and denominational formation in theological education.
• BibleProjectminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMichelle Navarrete serves as Scholar Fellow contributing to translation, research, and content production for BibleProject's educational materials.
• Candler School of Theology (Emory University)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMichelle Navarrete serves as junior faculty at Candler School of Theology's La Mesa Academy for Theological Studies.
• Forum for Theological ExplorationminorOthersProvides Doctoral Fellowship funding to support diverse scholars in theological education.
• Louisville InstituteminorOthersProvides Doctoral Fellowship funding for research in biblical studies and theology.
• Hispanic Theological InitiativeminorOthersSupports Hispanic/Latino scholars in theological education and research.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Princeton Theological Seminary: The flagship PC(USA) seminary offering MDiv, MA, ThM, and PhD programs in a residential graduate theological format. Direct denominational peer and historical comparability for faculty caliber, ATS-accredited credentials, and donor base.
• Iliff School of Theology: United Methodist graduate theological seminary in Denver offering MDiv, MA, and DMin programs. Comparable small scale graduate theological institution with similar emphasis on justice-oriented pastoral leadership and continuing clergy education.
• Yale Divinity School: University-affiliated non-denominational graduate theological school offering MDiv and MAR degrees. Comparable in graduate theological education, faculty credentials, and ATS-accredited preparation for ministry.
• Candler School of Theology (Emory University): United Methodist graduate theological school at Emory in Atlanta, offering MDiv, ThM, and PhD programs and sharing the same Atlanta recruitment market. Direct overlap on faculty profile, degree portfolio, and continuing education for clergy.
• Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary: A PC(USA) graduate theological seminary of comparable small scale, offering a similar MDiv and Doctor of Ministry portfolio and competing for the same denominational student and donor pool.
• Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary: Another PC(USA) seminary offering graduate theological degrees with a similar MDiv/MA/DMin portfolio, serving the same denominational pipeline and overlapping faculty/research networks.
• McCormick Theological Seminary: PC(USA) affiliated graduate theological seminary in Chicago offering MDiv and doctoral programs. Comparable in mission, ATS-accredited graduate offerings, and recruitment competition in mid-sized markets.
• San Francisco Theological Seminary: PC(USA) graduate theological institution offering MDiv and DMin in hybrid and residential formats, overlapping with CTS on denomination, degree programs, and continuing education/clergy formation offerings.

Broad incumbents

• Asbury Theological Seminary: Large Wesleyan/evangelical graduate theological seminary offering similar MDiv, ThM, and DMin programs online and in hybrid formats. Comparable continuing education and Lifelong Learning offerings; broader Wesleyan rather than Reformed tradition.
• Fuller Theological Seminary: Large multi-denominational evangelical graduate theological institution offering MDiv, ThM, DMin, and PhD programs. Larger and broader in scope but overlapping heavily on graduate theological education and continuing education markets.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/CTSeminary
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/ctsmedia
• Facebookfacebook.com/CTSeminary
• Instagraminstagram.com/ctseminary
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/columbia-theological-seminary

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles16 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Columbia Theological Seminary