Torch Trinity Graduate University

What Torch Trinity Graduate University does

Torch Trinity Graduate University (TTGU) is a private theological graduate university located in Seocho-gu, Seoul, South Korea, founded under the governance of the Torch Trinity Educational Foundation (학교법인 횃불학원), a Korean academic-research-institution parent. It is accredited by the Asia Theological Association and affiliated with the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI), and operates under the regulatory oversight of the Korean Ministry of Education. The university delivers graduate-level theological and ministry education exclusively at the Master's and Doctoral levels, including MDiv, MA in Christian Counseling and Psychology, MA in Christian Education, MEd, MWCM, MTS, ThM (in both English and Korean), PhD in Theology, and PhD in Christian Counseling and Psychology. Its single primary customer segment is graduate students in theology and ministry, including those preparing for pastoral, missionary, counseling, and educational vocations; an English-language ThM program extends access to international students.

The institution is led by President O Deok-gyo (오덕교) and Board Chairman Choi Ji-seon (최지선), supported by a small administrative team (18 employees reported) under Head of Administration Park Jong-seok. Faculty are organized into eight discipline-specific departments covering Old Testament, New Testament, Church History, Systematic Theology, Practical Theology, Mission, Christian Education, and Christian Counseling & Psychology. TTGU distributes education directly through its Seoul campus, supported by two dormitory facilities — Yangjae Dormitory at 900,000 KRW per semester and Giheung Dormitory at 150,000 KRW per semester — and operates an in-house Academic Management System and Learning Management System branded EDUvance 3.0. The university does not provide publicly disclosed tuition or revenue figures.

TTGU's commercial model is tuition-and-fee based, supplemented by donations channeled through the Torch Trinity Educational Foundation and its founding partner, Christianity Mission Torch Foundation. Recruitment relies on the university's website, open house events, and referral partnerships with churches and federations (notably Onnuri Church and the Korea Independent Church and Mission Federation), with international reach enabled by the Westminster Theological Seminary MOU (2026) and the Handong Global University partnership (June 2026). The institution reports itself as actively operating, with Spring 2027 admissions open across Master's and Doctoral programs.

Name

Torch Trinity Graduate University

Legal name

Torch Trinity Graduate University

Website

https://ttgu.ac.kr

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Torch Trinity Graduate University is a private Seoul-based graduate theological institution offering Master's and Doctoral programs (MDiv, MA, ThM, PhD) in theology, Christian counseling, education, and mission to Korean and international graduate students, under the Torch Trinity Educational Foundation.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Theological Higher Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (611310)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Theological Universities & Pontifical Universities (EDAHAKAD)

akta.pro secondary industry

Seminaries (Graduate Theology & Ministry) (EDAHAKAA)

Keywords

• Theological education
• Graduate theology
• Christian counseling
• Ministry training
• Biblical studies

Headquarters

HQ city

Seoul

HQ country

South Korea

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Pricing tiers

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Torch Trinity Graduate University delivers graduate-level theological education, awarding Master's (MDiv, MA in Christian Counseling and Psychology, MA in Christian Education, MEd, MWCM, MTS, ThM in English and Korean) and Doctoral (PhD in Theology, PhD in Christian Counseling and Psychology) degrees. Courses are delivered on its Seoul campus with supporting services including dormitory housing, library access, chapel programs, and the EDUvance 3.0 academic/learning management platform.

Product overview

Torch Trinity Graduate University (TTGU) is a theological graduate university offering a comprehensive range of graduate-level theological and ministry education programs. The institution provides multiple degree paths including MDiv, MA in Christian Counseling and Psychology, MA in Christian Education, MEd, MWCM, MTS, ThM (English and Korean programs), PhD in Theology, and PhD in Christian Counseling and Psychology. The university operates an internal Academic Management System (AMS) and Learning Management System (LMS) branded as EDUvance 3.0 for student academic services. Additional student services include dormitory facilities (Yangjae and Giheung), library services, and various campus centers.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• MDiv (Master of Divinity) Graduate theological degree program preparing students for pastoral ministry, with curriculum covering biblical, theological, and practical ministry disciplines.
• MA in Christian Counseling and Psychology Master's degree program combining theology with counseling and psychology training for Christian counselors and ministry professionals.
• MA in Christian Education Master's degree program focused on training educators for Christian schools and church education ministries.
• MEd (Master of Education) Master's degree in Education offered as part of TTGU's graduate theological programs.
• MWCM (Master of World Christian Mission) Master's degree program oriented toward global Christian mission training and cross-cultural ministry preparation.
• MTS (Master of Theological Studies) Master's degree program providing academic theological studies for students preparing for further research or specialized ministry roles.
• ThM (Master of Theology) - English Program English-language Master of Theology degree offered for international students at TTGU.
• ThM (Master of Theology) - Korean Program Korean-language Master of Theology degree offered at TTGU.
• PhD in Theology Doctoral research degree in theology for advanced academic research and teaching careers in biblical and theological studies.
• PhD in Christian Counseling and Psychology Doctoral degree in Christian Counseling and Psychology for advanced clinical, research, and teaching careers in counseling and psychology from a Christian perspective.
• Yangjae Dormitory On-campus dormitory housing available to enrolled TTGU students at 900,000 KRW per semester (not including meals).
• Giheung Dormitory On-campus dormitory housing available to enrolled TTGU students at 150,000 KRW per semester (not including meals).

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Asia Theological AssociationcoreOthersAccreditation and association membership for theological education standards.
• ACSIcoreOthersAssociation of Christian Schools International - partnership for Christian education standards.
• Overseas CouncilminorOthersInternational partnership supporting global theological education initiatives.
• Good of allminorOthersPartnership organization supporting the university's mission.
• Ministry of EducationcoreOthersKorean government education ministry - regulatory oversight and accreditation.
• Christianity Mission Torch FoundationcoreOthersFounding foundation supporting the university's mission and operations.
• Onnuri ChurchminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerChurch partnership supporting theological education and student placement.
• Korea Independent Church and Mission FederationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with independent churches for mission training and placement.

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Handong Global University: Korean private university with an international, faith-informed mission and active cross-border partnerships. Comparable to TTGU as a Korean institution pursuing international higher-education innovation and a TTGU partner.

Regional players

• Asia United Theological University: Asian regional theological graduate institution offering accredited Master's and Doctoral programs across Asia. Comparable to TTGU as a graduate theological provider serving the broader Asian Christian market with cross-border recruitment.

Broad incumbents

• Fuller Theological Seminary: Large U.S.-based evangelical graduate seminary offering extensive Master's and Doctoral programs across theology, psychology, and intercultural studies. Comparable as a broader, established theological graduate institution with significantly greater scale.

Direct peers

• Chongshin Theological Seminary (장로회신학대학교): Korean Presbyterian graduate theological university offering MDiv, MA, ThM, and PhD programs in theology and ministry. Direct peer in terms of graduate theological education in Korea and overlapping denominational positioning.
• Westminster Theological Seminary: A U.S.-based graduate theological seminary offering Master's and Doctoral programs in theology and ministry. Directly comparable to TTGU as a graduate-only, confessional/evangelical seminary with similar degree architecture and TTGU's international MOU partner.
• Korea Theological Seminary (한국장로회신학대학교): Korean Presbyterian theological university offering graduate-level programs in theology, Christian education, and counseling. Closely comparable to TTGU in mission, denomination, program structure, and target student base.
• Seoul Theological Seminary (서울신학대학교): Korean theological university located in the Seoul region offering graduate programs in theology, Christian counseling, and ministry. Direct domestic peer sharing the same Seoul geography and overlapping program mix.
• Hanshin University (한신대학교): Korean Christian university offering graduate theological programs including ThM and PhD in theology. Comparable as a faith-based Korean graduate theological provider competing for the same denominationally-affiliated student pool.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights5 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCrBh7qeEFec4ZY8b7IYy4Kw
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/torch-trinity-graduate-university

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Torch Trinity Graduate University