Ecumenical Theological Seminary

What Ecumenical Theological Seminary does

Ecumenical Theological Seminary (ETS) is a private, nonprofit theological seminary headquartered at 2930 Woodward Avenue in Detroit, Michigan, operating continuously for over 60 years as an ecumenical institution serving primarily Michigan and Southeast Michigan. ETS offers an ATS-accredited portfolio spanning the Doctor of Ministry (DMin), Master of Divinity (MDiv, 112 quarter credits), Master of Arts in Pastoral Ministry (MAPM), Master of Arts (Academic) in Biblical Studies, and a Master of Arts in Theological Studies (MATS) concentration, with the MDiv and MAPM offered in two tracks: Traditional Ecumenical Ministry and Urban Transformation and Renewal. The seminary also operates a Certificate in Theological Studies, the Leadership in Ministry Diploma (LMD) with three specialty tracks, the Urias Beverly Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) Center, and a Continuing Education program offering CEUs and Continuing Education Certificates at $600 (audit) and $1,000 (CEU) per 4-credit class.

ETS serves non-traditional adult learners — predominantly second and third-career students balancing work, family, and active ministry — with flexible part-time study options and 5-7 year MDiv completion timelines common. Revenue is generated primarily through tuition and continuing education fees, supplemented by charitable contributions processed through NeonCRM and ancillary merchandise revenue via a Shopify-hosted Spirit Shop. Operational infrastructure is built on Populi (student information system), NeonCRM (donor management), and Shopify (e-commerce). Recruitment is sales-led through the institutional website, email, phone outreach, and denominational network referrals. The faculty comprises practicing pastors, chaplains, and published scholars, several of whom concurrently serve in congregational and chaplaincy roles that reinforce the seminary's practitioner-oriented positioning.

Name

Ecumenical Theological Seminary

Legal name

Ecumenical Theological Seminary

Website

https://etseminary.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1960

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Ecumenical Theological Seminary is an ATS-accredited nonprofit theological seminary in Detroit offering graduate degree, certificate, diploma, and continuing education programs in ministry and biblical studies for non-traditional, second-career adult learners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Theological Education / Higher Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (611310), Religious Organizations (8131)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYEDAHAKAL

Interfaith & Ecumenical Theological Colleges

Education/Higher Education (Colleges & Universities)/Religious & Theological Colleges

SECONDARYEDAHAKAA

Seminaries (Graduate Theology & Ministry)

Education/Higher Education (Colleges & Universities)/Religious & Theological Colleges

Keywords

• Theological education
• Ministerial training
• Seminary degrees
• Pastoral ministry
• Divinity education

Headquarters

HQ city

Detroit

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Fees: The seminary generates revenue through tuition payments for degree programs including Master of Divinity, Master of Arts in Pastoral Ministry, Master of Arts (Academic), and Doctor of Ministry. Continuing education courses are offered at $1000 per 4-credit class. Certificate programs and various course fees also contribute to revenue.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Ecumenical Theological Seminary delivers ATS-accredited theological education through degree programs (Doctor of Ministry, Master of Divinity, Master of Arts in Pastoral Ministry, Master of Arts Academic, Master of Arts in Theological Studies), certificate programs, diploma programs (Leadership in Ministry Diploma), and continuing education courses with CEUs/CECs. Programming emphasizes urban ministry, ecumenical dialogue, social justice, and ordination preparation, delivered primarily through on-campus classroom and seminar-based instruction in Detroit with intensive emergent weeks for doctoral students.

Product overview

Ecumenical Theological Seminary is a theological education institution in Detroit, Michigan, offering a portfolio of degree programs and professional development offerings. The core programs include the Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.), Master of Divinity (MDiv) at 112 quarter credits, Master of Arts in Pastoral Ministry (MAPM) at 56 quarter credits, and Master of Arts (Academic) in Biblical Studies. The seminary also offers the Certificate in Theological Studies (36 quarter hours), Leadership in Ministry Diploma (LMD), and Continuing Education with CEUs and CECs. Students can pursue specialized concentrations including Pastoral Care, Pre-Chaplaincy Studies, Family Ministry, Community Worship, Social Justice, Environmental Justice, African American Religion, Race/Racism/Diversity, and Interfaith Dialogue. The institution is ATS-accredited and serves non-traditional students with part-time study options.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Leadership in Ministry Diploma (LMD): Formerly known as Urban Ministry Diploma Program, a non-degree course of study in theology and ministry designed for clergy and laypeople with emphasis on urban church ministry
• Urias Beverly CPE Center

Products and services

• Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) Advanced professional doctorate for ministers seeking renewal and deeper theological formation beyond initial pastoral commitment. The three-year program includes two Emergent Weeks per year (August and January), theme courses, core courses, and colleague groups, with a Professional Education and Leadership concentrate designed as a two-year program for those with four units of CPE.
• Master of Divinity (MDiv) Comprehensive 112 quarter credit hour seminary degree designed to be completed in 3 years of full-time study (5-7 years part-time). Includes two tracks: Traditional Ecumenical Ministry and Urban Transformation and Renewal, with courses in biblical studies, theology, ethics, church history, and pastoral/professional skill formation. Required Field Education component in supervised ministry settings.
• Master of Arts in Pastoral Ministry (MAPM) 56-quarter hour professional degree program grounded in ethics-praxis and social justice orientation, preparing students for ministry beyond the local congregation. Available in Traditional Ecumenical Ministry and Urban Transformation and Renewal tracks. ATS approved in 2010.
• Master of Arts (Academic) 56 quarter credit hour academic degree program in Biblical Studies intended to prepare students for further graduate study (Th.M. and Ph.D.) and careers in teaching and scholarly endeavors.
• Certificate in Theological Studies 36 quarter-hour certificate program consisting of eight required courses from the masters' level curriculum plus one elective, designed for individuals wanting to deepen their spiritual life through theological study or explore their call to ministry.
• Continuing Education Professional development courses for pastors and lay leaders offering Continuing Education Units (CEUs). Four classes in a specific area earn a Continuing Education Certificate (CEC). Classes available for audit or CEU credit at reduced tuition rates ($600 audit / $1000 CEU per 4-credit hour class).
• Leadership in Ministry Diploma (LMD) Non-degree course of study in theology and ministry for clergy and laypeople, previously called the Urban Ministry Diploma. Features multicultural, cross-cultural, and ecumenical focus with three specialized tracks: Urban Ministry, Lay Ministry, and Women in Ministry.
• Masters Concentrations Specialized concentration areas within the MDiv and MAPM programs, including Pastoral Care, Pre-Chaplaincy Studies, Family Ministry, Community Worship, Social Justice, Environmental Justice, African American Religion, Race/Racism/Diversity, and Interfaith Dialogue. Each concentration requires 3-4 interconnected courses.
• Urias Beverly CPE Center Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) center operated by the seminary, offering professional spiritual care training and certification preparation for ministry practitioners.

Quantifiable outcome

• Graduates prepared for parish ministry and chaplaincy roles
• +2 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Chicago Theological Seminary: ATS-accredited progressive, multiracial seminary in Chicago with strong urban ministry, social justice, and interfaith orientation. Most directly comparable to ETS on ecumenical/urban positioning, size, and mission.
• McCormick Theological Seminary: ATS-accredited Presbyterian-affiliated seminary in Chicago with urban ministry programs and continuing education tracks. Comparable to ETS on degree portfolio (MDiv, DMin) and Midwestern urban ministry focus.
• Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary: United Methodist seminary on Northwestern University's Evanston campus offering MDiv, MA, and DMin programs with a strong connectional church pipeline. Comparable to ETS on degree portfolio and Midwestern location.
• United Theological Seminary: Dayton, Ohio-based ecumenical seminary offering MDiv, DMin, and doctoral programs with strong online/hybrid delivery. Comparable to ETS on ecumenical positioning, DMin intensives model, and degree stack.
• Iliff School of Theology: United Methodist seminary in Denver offering MDiv, MA, and DMin programs with justice-focused curriculum. Comparable to ETS on small scale, ecumenical reach, and social-justice orientation.
• Hartford Seminary: Interreligious and ecumenical seminary in Hartford, CT known for its multifaith/interfaith focus. Comparable to ETS on ecumenical and interfaith differentiation and small institution scale.
• Pacific School of Religion: Berkeley-based progressive Christian seminary with strong social justice and interfaith orientation. Comparable to ETS on mission, ecumenical positioning, and urban/justice-focused degree offerings.
• Wesley Theological Seminary: United Methodist seminary in Washington, DC offering MDiv, MA, and DMin programs with continuing education and urban ministry emphases. Comparable to ETS on degree portfolio and continuing education diversification.

Broad incumbents

• Candler School of Theology (Emory): Larger United Methodist seminary at Emory University with comprehensive degree programs and extensive continuing education. Comparable to ETS on theological education portfolio but materially larger in scale and resources.

Others

• Association of Theological Schools (ATS): Accrediting body for ETS and ~270 peer seminaries in the U.S. and Canada. Relevant as the ecosystem regulator whose accreditation standards shape ETS's program structure and eligibility for denominational ordination.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ets_detroit
• Facebookfacebook.com/etseminary
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ecumenical-theological-seminary

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles17 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Ecumenical Theological Seminary