Union Theological Seminary
Union Theological Seminary is an independent, ecumenical Christian graduate school founded in 1836 in New York City, offering M.Div., M.A., S.T.M., Ph.D., and D.Min. degree programs alongside online and lifelong-learning options, serving aspiring clergy, scholars, and social-justice leaders.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1836
- HeadquartersNew York, United States
- Headcount—
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Union Theological Seminary does
Union Theological Seminary is an independent, ecumenical Christian seminary and graduate school of theology founded in 1836 in New York City and incorporated in 1839 under a charter from the New York State Legislature. It delivers graduate theological education across seven degree programs — Master of Divinity (M.Div.), Master of Arts in Religion (M.A.R.), Master of Arts in Social Justice (M.A.S.J., offered online), Master of Sacred Theology (S.T.M.), Master of Professional Studies (M.P.S.), Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), and Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) — plus advanced certificate programs, lifelong-learning courses, and Clinical Pastoral Education. Instruction is delivered on the Manhattan campus in Morningside Heights (adjacent to Columbia University) and online via the Moodle learning management system, with field-education placements that include two New York State correctional facilities.
The institution is supported by three revenue streams: tuition and fees (with over 90% of students receiving scholarships or grants averaging 75% of tuition, and PhD fellows funded via full tuition plus a $30,000 annual stipend for four years), donations and charitable giving through annual funds and the 1836 Legacy Circle, and grants from foundations led by Lilly Endowment Inc. (including a $5 million grant for the TIDEL initiative in December 2022 and a $1.25 million eco-justice grant in November 2023). It maintains deep academic and physical integration with Columbia University (Burke Library is part of the Columbia Libraries system; dual-degree programs with Columbia School of Social Work and Hunter College CUNY), cross-registration agreements across the New York Theological Consortium, and partnerships with the Chaplaincy Innovation Lab, the Beacon, the Law Rights & Religion Project, and the Academic and Student Experience Collaborative. It is governed by an independent Board of Trustees, accredited by the Association of Theological Schools and the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, and led by its 17th president, Rev. Dr. Lisa L. Thompson, who succeeded Rev. Dr. Serene Jones in April 2026.
Union Theological Seminary firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Union Theological Seminary
- Legal name
- Union Theological Seminary
- Website
- https://utsnyc.edu
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1836
- Operating status
- Operating
- Short description
- Union Theological Seminary is an independent, ecumenical Christian graduate school founded in 1836 in New York City, offering M.Div., M.A., S.T.M., Ph.D., and D.Min. degree programs alongside online and lifelong-learning options, serving aspiring clergy, scholars, and social-justice leaders.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Union Theological Seminary industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Higher Education / Theological Education
- NAICS
- Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (61131)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Seminaries (Graduate Theology & Ministry) (EDAHAKAA)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Interfaith & Ecumenical Theological Colleges (EDAHAKAL)
Keywords
Where Union Theological Seminary is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- New York
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices3 records
Markets served
Union Theological Seminary business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Tuition and Fees: Graduate theological education with tuition varying by degree program and enrollment status (full-time vs. part-time). Over 90% of students receive scholarships or grants. PhD students receive full tuition fellowship plus $30,000 annual living stipend.
- Donations and Charitable Giving: Annual giving programs including the Union Fund (areas of greatest impact), financial aid support, and student support including emergency funds and summer stipends. Also includes planned giving through the 1836 Legacy Circle.
- Grants and Foundation Support: Major grants from Lilly Endowment Inc. including $5 million for TIDEL and $1.25 million for eco-justice initiatives. Also receives grants for various programmatic initiatives through Lilly Program's Pathways for Tomorrow Initiative.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Master's Programs (M.Div., M.A.R., S.T.M.) |
| Subscription | Annual | Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) |
| Subscription | Annual | Doctor of Ministry (DMin) |
| Subscription | Annual | Non-Degree and Advanced Certificate |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels6 records
Union Theological Seminary product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Union Theological Seminary is an independent, ecumenical Christian graduate school that delivers accredited theological degree programs including Master of Divinity, Master of Arts in Religion, Master of Arts in Social Justice, Master of Sacred Theology, Master of Professional Studies, Doctor of Philosophy, and Doctor of Ministry, alongside advanced certificate programs, lifelong learning, and field education. It serves aspiring clergy, working ministry professionals, doctoral scholars, and social justice advocates through on-campus and online learning with substantial financial aid.
Product overview
Union Theological Seminary offers a portfolio of graduate theological degree programs including Master of Divinity (M.Div.), Master of Arts in Religion (M.A.R.), Master of Arts in Social Justice (M.A.S.J. - available online), Master of Sacred Theology (S.T.M.), Master of Professional Studies (M.P.S.), Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), and Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.). The institution also provides Advanced Certificate Programs, Lifelong Learning non-credit offerings, and Field Education placements. Notable specialized offerings include the TIDEL technology initiative, Center for Earth Ethics, Encore Transition Program for midcareer professionals, and Clinical Pastoral Education. Dual degree options are available with Columbia University School of Social Work and Hunter College. The institution operates as a traditional seminary with online program capabilities, primarily using Moodle for course delivery and Jenzabar for student information management.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Master of Divinity (M.Div.)
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 90% of students receive scholarship or grant support
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Union Theological Seminary
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Union Theological Seminary technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration12 records
Feature2 records
Union Theological Seminary partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered strategic and core.
- The BeaconstrategicLandmark partnership between Union Theological Seminary and The Beacon to combat hateful policies and uplift multifaith voices of dissent. Together they equip a network of faith and community leaders with tools to fight for a better tomorrow.
- Columbia UniversitycoreLong-standing partnership allowing students to be part of a larger university community while immersed in seminary life. Includes MDiv/MSSW dual degree program with Columbia School of Social Work, cross-registration with Columbia's Graduate School of Arts and Sciences and School of International and Public Affairs. Burke Library is part of Columbia Libraries system. Students access Columbia Health, fitness center, and university programming.
- New York Theological ConsortiumcoreCross-registration agreements allowing students to enroll in courses at partner institutions enriching their Union degree with diverse electives. Partner institutions include General Theological Seminary, Jewish Theological Seminary (JTS), Fordham University Graduate School of Religion & Religious Education, Hebrew Union College (HUC), St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary, Teachers College Columbia University, and Drew University.
- Chaplaincy Innovation LabstrategicPartnership aims to enhance chaplaincy education, innovation, and impact in diverse contexts. Collaboration fosters innovative approaches to chaplaincy education and training, producing well-equipped professionals capable of navigating complex challenges.
- Academic and Student Experience Collaborative (ASEC)strategicFunded by Lilly Program's Pathways for Tomorrow Initiative. Collaborative initiatives with other independent seminaries in areas of student support, career development services, curricular development, course sharing, and academic office administrative operations. Partner institutions: Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School (CRCDS) and New York Theological Seminary (NYTS).
- Campus Service Alliance of Northern Manhattan (CSANM)strategicFunded by Lilly Program's Pathways for Tomorrow Initiative. Leverages opportunity to work with mission-aligned, physically proximate postsecondary institutions to increase quality of campus services and reduce costs. Partner institutions: International House (I-House), Manhattan School of Music (MSM), and The Riverside Church (TRC).
- Technology, Innovation, and Digital Engagement Lab (TIDEL)core5-year Lilly Endowment Pathways for Tomorrow-funded initiative aiming to expand capacity for theological schools and faith-based organizations to maximize their mission and confront critical challenges through creative and effective use of technology. Partnership with Pennsylvania College of Art & Design (PCA&D).
- Hunter College CUNYcoreMDiv/MSW dual degree program with Hunter College School of Social Work, providing students with integrated understanding of spiritual and social contexts and drawing upon entwined histories of social justice and community empowerment.
- Kairos Center for Religions, Rights and Social JusticestrategicAffiliated institute at Union working on religions, rights, and social justice issues, connecting academic study with grassroots organizing and movement building.
- Center for Earth EthicsstrategicUnion institute focused on environmental ethics and eco-justice, working to equip faith communities to address climate change and environmental degradation.
Scale indicators10 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Union Theological Seminary competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Yale Divinity School: Graduate professional school offering M.Div., M.A.R., and Ph.D. programs; directly comparable to Union in degree mix, ecumenical profile, and Northeast elite-scholar recruitment.
- Harvard Divinity School: Non-denominational graduate school of religion offering M.Div., M.T.S., and Ph.D.; comparable to Union in academic rigor, interdisciplinary theological scholarship, and progressive, pluralistic orientation.
- Duke Divinity School: Top-tier mainline Protestant seminary offering M.Div., Th.M., and Ph.D.; comparable in faculty reputation, scholarship funding, and ordination-track preparation.
- Iliff School of Theology: United Methodist seminary in Denver offering M.Div., M.A., and D.Min. with progressive Methodist orientation; comparable in degree mix, social-justice emphasis, and scholarship support.
- General Theological Seminary: New York City–based Episcopal seminary offering M.Div. and advanced degrees; a close geographic peer in the New York Theological Consortium cross-registration network and a direct M.Div. competitor.
- Princeton Theological Seminary: Elite mainline Protestant graduate seminary offering M.Div., Th.M., and Ph.D. programs; competes with Union for top doctoral candidates and ordination-track students in the Northeast U.S.
- Pacific School of Religion: Mainline, progressive multidenominational seminary in Berkeley offering M.Div. and doctoral programs; closely comparable in progressive theology brand and social-justice mission.
- Candler School of Theology (Emory): United Methodist seminary at Emory offering M.Div., Th.M., and Ph.D.; comparable in mainline Protestant identity, scholarship aid levels, and ordination-track programming.
- Vanderbilt Divinity School: Graduate theological school offering M.Div., M.T.S., and Ph.D. with a progressive, multi-faith orientation similar to Union; competes for the same cohort of ecumenically-minded students.
Regional players
- Jewish Theological Seminary: NYC-based graduate rabbinical and academic seminary; a New York Theological Consortium partner with cross-registration, offering parallel graduate theological degrees though in a Jewish tradition.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Union Theological Seminary social profiles
Digital presenceUnion Theological Seminary financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Union Theological Seminary leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles10 records
Union Theological Seminary funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Union Theological Seminary M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Union Theological Seminary
What does Union Theological Seminary do?
Union Theological Seminary is an independent, ecumenical Christian graduate school that delivers accredited theological degree programs including Master of Divinity, Master of Arts in Religion, Master of Arts in Social Justice, Master of Sacred Theology, Master of Professional Studies, Doctor of Philosophy, and Doctor of Ministry, alongside advanced certificate programs, lifelong learning, and field education. It serves aspiring clergy, working ministry professionals, doctoral scholars, and social justice advocates through on-campus and online learning with substantial financial aid.
Is Union Theological Seminary a public or private company?
Union Theological Seminary is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Union Theological Seminary founded?
Union Theological Seminary was founded in 1836.
Where is Union Theological Seminary based?
Union Theological Seminary is headquartered in New York, United States, in the North America region.
How does Union Theological Seminary make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Tuition and Fees are the primary driver. The others are donations and Charitable Giving and grants and Foundation Support.
Who are Union Theological Seminary's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Yale Divinity School, Harvard Divinity School, Duke Divinity School, Iliff School of Theology, General Theological Seminary, Princeton Theological Seminary, Pacific School of Religion, Candler School of Theology (Emory) and Vanderbilt Divinity School. Jewish Theological Seminary is listed as a regional player.
Does Union Theological Seminary have an API?
No public API is recorded for Union Theological Seminary.
What industry is Union Theological Seminary in?
Union Theological Seminary's product category is Higher Education / Theological Education. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAHAKAA, Seminaries (Graduate Theology & Ministry), with a secondary code of EDAHAKAL, Interfaith & Ecumenical Theological Colleges. Its NAICS code is 6113 and its SIC code is 8200.