What McCormick Theological Seminary does

McCormick Theological Seminary is a private, nonprofit theological seminary founded in 1829 and headquartered in Chicago's Hyde Park neighborhood. It is one of 10 schools related to the Presbyterian Church (USA) and delivers ATS- and HLC-accredited graduate theological education, including the Master of Divinity (MDiv), Master of Arts in Ministry (MAM), Master of Theological Studies (MTS), and Doctor of Ministry (DMin) programs, alongside certificate offerings such as the Certificate in Environmental Leadership and Ministry. Course delivery is hybrid, supported by the Brightspace learning management system, with on-site programs at the Hyde Park campus and distance-learning options serving students globally.

The seminary's revenue model blends tuition and fees from degree programs, recurring donations from approximately 302 donors (FY25 gifts totaled $931,300), and grant funding primarily from the Lilly Endowment (supporting the Trauma Healing Initiative and Sacred Memory Project) and the Wabash Center (supporting hybrid course delivery and faculty development). The institution operates with a $35M+ endowment dedicated primarily to student scholarships and reported debt-zero status in FY24 with a budget surplus.

Its portfolio is augmented by differentiated centers and initiatives, including El Centro (Latinx theology), the Center for African American Ministries & Black Church Studies, the Trauma Healing Initiative (a Lilly-funded trauma-informed ministry program), the Sacred Memory Project (focused on HIV/AIDS and migration memory work), and Scholars Within (theological education at Cook County Department of Corrections). The seminary partners with peer institutions including Auburn Theological Seminary, Faith Compass Center at Wake Forest University School of Divinity, Faith in Place, and 1Love Festival to co-develop experiential learning programming, and distributes thought leadership through the Back Talk podcast, Artists Forum, and Facebook livestream channels under President Dr. Maisha Handy.

Name

McCormick Theological Seminary

Legal name

McCormick Theological Seminary

Website

https://mccormick.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1829

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

McCormick Theological Seminary is a 196-year-old PC(USA)-affiliated nonprofit seminary in Chicago delivering accredited MDiv, MAM, MTS, and DMin programs with hybrid and distance formats, serving ministry-bound students, faith leaders, and justice-focused community organizers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Theological Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industry

Seminaries (Graduate Theology & Ministry) (EDAHAKAA)

Keywords

• Theological education
• Graduate theological degrees
• Seminary education
• Religious leadership formation
• Trauma-informed ministry training

Headquarters

HQ city

Chicago

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, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Degree Programs: Revenue from Master of Divinity (MDiv), Master of Arts in Ministry (MAM), Master of Theological Studies (MTS), and Doctor of Ministry (DMin) programs through tuition and fees.
2. Donations and Fundraising: Annual gifts and donor contributions. In FY25, McCormick received $931,300 in gifts and pledges from 302 donors. The current endowment exceeds $35M dedicated to student scholarships.
3. Grants and Foundation Support: External funding from foundations including Lilly Endowment grants for Trauma Healing Initiative and Sacred Memory Project, and Wabash Center grants for hybrid course delivery.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

McCormick Theological Seminary delivers accredited graduate theological education, primarily through Master of Divinity (MDiv), Master of Arts in Ministry (MAM), Master of Theological Studies (MTS), and Doctor of Ministry (DMin) degree programs, supplemented by certificate programs and hybrid/distance learning options. It also offers signature non-degree initiatives such as the Trauma Healing Initiative (with micro-credential), Sacred Memory Project, Scholars Within (incarcerated education), and specialized centers for African American Ministries and Latinx Theology (El Centro).

Product overview

McCormick Theological Seminary is a theological seminary offering a comprehensive portfolio of educational products and programs. The core offerings include Master's degree programs (MDiv, MAM), a Doctor of Ministry program, and various Certificate programs. Distinctive programmatic products include the Trauma Healing Initiative (THI), which provides trauma-informed ministry training with a micro-credential; the Sacred Memory Project focused on HIV/AIDS and migration memory work; and specialized centers for Latinx theology (El Centro) and African American Ministries & Black Church Studies. Additional educational products include the Artists Forum public lecture series and Back Talk podcast hosted by the President.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Master's Degree Programs (MDiv, MAM, MTS) Graduate-level theological degree programs preparing individuals for ministry, including Master of Divinity (MDiv), Master of Arts in Ministry (MAM), and Master of Theological Studies (MTS). Delivered through in-person and hybrid formats via Brightspace for students discerning or pursuing pastoral ministry, chaplaincy, community organizing, or academic scholarship.
• Doctor of Ministry (DMin) Program Doctoral-level intensive program for working ministry leaders seeking advanced formation and theological reflection, with intensives, travel seminars, and justice-focused coursework. Fall 2025 enrollment increased 19% over the prior year.
• Certificate Programs Specialized certificate programs including the Certificate in Environmental Leadership and Ministry (delivered in collaboration with Faith in Place) and other continuing-education certificates for ministry professionals.
• Trauma Healing Initiative (THI) with Community Healing Practices Micro-Credential Program equipping pastors, changemakers, and community leaders with trauma-informed ministry practices, including a Micro-credential in Community Healing Practices (MCHP). Funded by the Lilly Endowment's Pathways to Tomorrow Initiative and currently serving a cohort of 26 learners.
• Sacred Memory Project Lilly Endowment–funded initiative supporting faith-rooted leaders in reclaiming erased histories, resisting harmful narratives, and creating transformative truth-telling practices around HIV/AIDS and migration; current MTS cohort of 17 learners.
• Scholars Within Program Solidarity Building Initiative program providing theological education at the Cook County Department of Corrections for incarcerated individuals; formerly known as Seminary in Jail.

Quantifiable outcome

• 19% increase in Doctor of Ministry enrollment for fall 2025
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments4 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.

• Auburn Theological SeminarycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 August 2026Collaboration on THI Montana Travel Seminar (August 10-17, 2026), an immersive learning experience with Northern Cheyenne and Crow Nations focused on restorative justice and trauma-informed ministry. Auburn's Director of Storytelling and Narrative Change, Erica Littlewolf, serves as faculty co-lead alongside Dr. Stephanie Crumpton.
• Faith in PlacecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative partnership delivering the Certificate in Environmental Leadership and Ministry program. Faith in Place provides programmatic content and site visit opportunities across Chicago for McCormick students exploring ecological ministry and sustainable community engagement.
• Faith Compass Center at Wake Forest University School of DivinitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-host of the Re-Storying Institute: Weaving New Worlds (June 25-27, 2026) in Winston-Salem, NC. Partnership gathers leaders, practitioners, and community members for collaborative learning around care, connection, and collective thriving.
• 1Love FestivalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-host of Re-Storying Institute with Sacred Memory Project and Faith Compass Center. Partnership brings together diverse voices for reimagining leadership and living grounded in dignity, healing, and shared well-being.
• Presbyterian Church (USA)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMcCormick is one of 10 schools related to PC(USA), preparing leaders primarily for Presbyterian ministry. Partnership provides pathway for denominational leaders and supports Seminary Sunday recognition annually.
• The Gathering (Dallas, TX)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner congregation for 2025 MTS-Public Spaces Distance Program Micro-Grant recipient Natasha L. Robinson's 'From Water & Ash' baptism project. Co-pastored by Dr. Irie Lynne Session and Dr. Kamilah Hall Sharp.
• The Endeleo InstituteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTrinity United Church of Christ-based nonprofit led by alumna Rev. Veronica Johnson. Partnership in community development through 95th Street Corridor Plan initiative combining faith-based organizing with urban renewal.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Princeton Theological Seminary: Largest PC(USA)-affiliated seminary and McCormick's most direct denominational peer. Both compete for Presbyterian students in the Northeast/Mid-Atlantic corridor, offering MDiv and DMin programs with Reformed theological orientation.
• Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago: Co-located on the Chicago ACTS cluster with McCormick. Offers parallel graduate theological degrees (MDiv, MAM, DMin) and shares cross-institutional ACTS programming, serving as a near-direct local competitor.
• Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary: United Methodist seminary also located on the Chicago ACTS campus cluster alongside McCormick. Directly comparable in geography, degree offerings (MDiv, MAM, DMin), and engagement with mainline Protestant formation.
• Columbia Theological Seminary: Another PC(USA)-related seminary offering MDiv, MAM, MTS, and DMin programs. Dr. Stephanie Crumpton, McCormick's THI Director, is a Columbia Theological Seminary alumna, illustrating direct talent and curricular overlap between the two institutions.
• Union Theological Seminary: Historically Reformed/progressive Protestant seminary in New York offering MDiv and doctoral programs. Comparable in progressive theological orientation, justice-centered curriculum, and Reformed heritage emphasis to McCormick's positioning.
• Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary: PC(USA)-related seminary offering similar graduate theological degrees. Both institutions compete for the same Presbyterian ministerial candidates and rely on similar denominational recruitment channels like Seminary Sunday.
• Wake Forest University School of Divinity: Reformed-tradition divinity school with McCormick's Faith Compass Center partner. Offers comparable MDiv and certificate programs with justice/community-engagement orientation overlapping McCormick's curriculum.

Broad incumbents

• Fuller Theological Seminary: Largest multi-denominational seminary in the U.S. with significantly broader scale and geographic reach than McCormick. Overlaps on MDiv/DMin offerings but extends well beyond Reformed/Presbyterian tradition into evangelical constituencies.
• Vanderbilt Divinity School: University-affiliated divinity school offering MDiv and doctoral programs with progressive theological orientation comparable to McCormick's positioning. Larger research university backing and broader non-denominational draw differentiate it from McCormick's seminary model.
• Candler School of Theology (Emory University): United Methodist-affiliated school of theology within a major research university. Comparable in MDiv/DMin offerings and progressive mainline theological orientation, but with substantially larger institutional backing and brand recognition.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/24530558613
• Xx.com/McCormickSem
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/mccormick-theological-seminary

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Subsidiaries5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about McCormick Theological Seminary