What Trinity Evangelical Divinity School does

Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (TEDS) is a graduate theological education institution founded in 1944, currently operating as the divinity school of Trinity Western University following a 2025 transition from Trinity International University. It is headquartered in Bannockburn, Illinois, and offers an academically rigorous evangelical theological curriculum from certificates through doctoral degrees.

TEDS's product portfolio spans three 13-credit graduate certificates (Old Testament Hebrew, Biblical and Theological Studies, and Scripture), three master's degrees (the 82-credit Master of Divinity as the flagship professional degree, the 49-credit Master of Arts in Theological Studies, and the 24-credit Master of Theology), and three doctoral programs (30-credit Doctor of Ministry with a specialized Thriving Immigrant Churches track, 50-credit PhD in Theological Studies, and PhD in Educational Ministry Studies). Programs are delivered through on-campus, hybrid, and fully online modalities with 6 annual start dates (August, October, January, March, May, June) and a primary 8-week course format. Core technology consists of the Canvas learning management system and the myTIU student portal; no proprietary technology stack or AI capabilities are disclosed.

The institution operates a traditional academic admissions go-to-market model, primarily targeting prospective seminary students and mid-career ministry leaders. Revenue is generated through tuition and fees, with nearly 95% of students receiving some form of financial aid (scholarships, grants, rebates, or loans), and pricing is not publicly disclosed. Distribution leverages church partnerships, an affiliate program, content marketing (TEDS Bulletin newsletter, podcasts, student stories), and events. TEDS is led by Dean David W. Pao, who also serves as Professor of New Testament.

Name

Trinity Evangelical Divinity School

Legal name

Trinity Evangelical Divinity School

Website

https://divinity.tiu.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1944

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Trinity Evangelical Divinity School is a graduate evangelical theological seminary founded in 1944, now part of Trinity Western University, offering certificates through doctoral degrees to prospective students and ministry leaders in on-campus, hybrid, and online formats.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Theological Education / Graduate Seminary

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (61131), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (611310)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Seminaries (Graduate Theology & Ministry) (EDAHAKAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Christian Colleges with Theological Programs (EDAHAKAG)

Keywords

• Theological education
• Graduate seminary programs
• Divinity school
• Ministry training
• Doctoral theology programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Deerfield

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Fees: Revenue generated from student tuition for degree programs including Master of Divinity (82 credits), Master of Arts in Theological Studies (49 credits), Master of Theology (24 credits), Doctor of Ministry (30 credits), and various certificate programs. The institution receives nearly 95% of students receiving some form of financial aid.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Trinity Evangelical Divinity School delivers graduate-level evangelical theological education through certificate, master's, and doctoral degree programs. Programs are offered on-campus in Bannockburn, IL, as well as in hybrid and fully online formats using an 8-week course format with 6 annual start dates. Core offerings include the Master of Divinity (82 credits), Master of Arts in Theological Studies (49 credits), Master of Theology (24 credits), Doctor of Ministry (30 credits), PhD in Theological Studies (50 credits), PhD in Educational Ministry Studies, and three 13-credit certificates.

Product overview

Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (TEDS) offers a comprehensive portfolio of theological education programs ranging from certificate programs to doctoral degrees. The portfolio includes three graduate certificates (Old Testament Hebrew, Biblical and Theological Studies, and Scripture at 13 credits each) that serve as entry points or stepping stones to graduate study; three master's degrees (Master of Divinity at 82 credits as the flagship professional degree, Master of Arts in Theological Studies at 49 credits for academic formation, and Master of Theology at 24 credits for advanced theological study); and three doctoral programs (Doctor of Ministry at 30 credits for professional ministry leadership, PhD in Theological Studies at 50 credits for academic careers, and PhD in Educational Ministry Studies). Programs are delivered through flexible formats including on-campus, hybrid, and online options with multiple start dates throughout the year.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Certificate in Old Testament Hebrew A 13-credit graduate-level certificate program that equips students to read, translate, and interpret Old Testament texts in Hebrew. Designed for pastors, ministry leaders, and lifelong learners seeking to engage Scripture in its original language, with coursework applicable toward the MA Theological Studies, MA Linguistics and Translation, or Master of Divinity.
• Certificate in Biblical and Theological Studies A 13-credit certificate offering introductory graduate-level theological education through courses in Bible and theology, providing a foundation for ministry preparation or further graduate study.
• Certificate in Scripture A 13-credit certificate providing comprehensive engagement with the Bible through historical, theological, and Christ-centered lenses, designed for lifelong learners and ministry leaders seeking personal enrichment.
• Master of Divinity (MDiv) An 82-credit professional degree rooted in Scripture, theology, pastoral leadership, and cultural engagement, preparing students for lifetime faithful ministry and scholarship.
• Master of Arts in Theological Studies (MATS) A 49-credit academic degree providing deep formation in Scripture and historic Christian theology with concentrations in Old Testament, New Testament, or theology and history, preparing students for teaching or research-informed ministry.
• Master of Theology (ThM) A 24-credit graduate program equipping students with advanced skills in theological research, critical analysis, and integrative thinking for Christian leaders seeking to deepen theological understanding and enhance ministry practice.
• Doctor of Ministry (DMin) A 30-credit professional doctoral program designed for experienced ministry leaders seeking to deepen their impact through applied learning, spiritual formation, and Christ-centered leadership in their current ministry context.
• Doctor of Philosophy in Theological Studies A 50-credit doctoral program preparing graduates for academic teaching, writing, and various forms of church, parachurch, and denominational leadership through rigorous theological scholarship.
• PhD in Educational Ministry Studies A doctoral program preparing graduates for academic and leadership roles in educational ministry contexts.
• DMin Thriving Immigrant Churches Track A specialized track within the Doctor of Ministry program focused on serving and leadership development for immigrant church communities.

Quantifiable outcome

• Nearly 95% of students receive financial aid

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Trinity Western UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025TEDS has officially transitioned from Trinity International University to become the divinity school of Trinity Western University. This transition represents a new institutional chapter for TEDS, aligning with TWU's academic mission.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Fuller Theological Seminary: Fuller Theological Seminary is an evangelical multi-denominational seminary offering master's and doctoral degrees with a strong online footprint. Comparable to TEDS in evangelical identity, graduate theological programs, and global student body.
• Dallas Theological Seminary: Dallas Theological Seminary is a leading evangelical graduate seminary offering master's and doctoral programs with on-campus, online, and hybrid options. Directly comparable to TEDS in mission, program mix, and target student of working ministry leaders.
• Southern Baptist Theological Seminary: Southern Baptist Theological Seminary is a flagship Southern Baptist seminary offering MDiv, ThM, DMin, and PhD programs with extensive online delivery. Closely comparable in program breadth and evangelical identity to TEDS.
• Reformed Theological Seminary: Reformed Theological Seminary operates a multi-campus, globally networked model of evangelical Reformed theological education with extensive online offerings. Comparable to TEDS in program mix, target student, and distributed delivery model.
• Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary: Gordon-Conwell is an interdenominational evangelical seminary offering master's and doctoral degrees across multiple campuses and online. Directly comparable to TEDS in evangelical orientation, program ladder, and global student recruitment.
• Asbury Theological Seminary: Asbury Theological Seminary is a Wesleyan-evangelical seminary offering master's and doctoral programs with significant online enrollment. Comparable to TEDS in evangelical identity, program structure, and target audience of ministry leaders.
• Liberty University John W. Rawlings School of Divinity: Liberty's divinity school offers a broad portfolio of online and on-campus MDiv, MA, DMin, and doctoral programs at aggressive price points. Comparable to TEDS in program mix and audience, and a key online competitor.
• Biola University Talbot School of Theology: Talbot School of Theology is Biola University's graduate school of theology, offering master's and doctoral programs rooted in an evangelical Christian framework. Comparable to TEDS in program ladder and mission alignment.
• Moody Theological Seminary: Moody Theological Seminary is an evangelical seminary offering MDiv, MA, and doctoral programs with strong online and hybrid options. Comparable to TEDS in mission, degree mix, and emphasis on accessible ministerial formation.

Broad incumbents

• Wheaton College Graduate School: Wheaton College Graduate School offers MA and doctoral programs in theology and related fields at a closely related evangelical institution in Illinois. Comparable to TEDS in evangelical identity and graduate theological programs, and a regional peer in the same Illinois evangelical higher-education ecosystem.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/trinity-international-university

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Trinity Evangelical Divinity School