Graduate Theological Foundation

What Graduate Theological Foundation does

Graduate Theological Foundation (GTF) is an ecumenical and interreligious 501(c)(3) non-profit educational foundation chartered by the State of Indiana in 1962, with administrative headquarters at 8388 S. Tamiami Trail in Sarasota, Florida. It serves ministry professionals — ordained clergy, lay ministers, chaplains, spiritual directors, pastoral counselors, and other practitioners with at least five years of ministry experience — offering undergraduate through doctoral degrees in theology, ministry, pastoral counseling, sacred music, psychotherapy, tribunal studies, Buddhist and Islamic studies, and related fields. GTF does not hold accreditation from a U.S. Department of Education-recognized accreditor, which materially constrains its addressable market in the U.S. but does not impede its international positioning.

The institution's core technology is an email-based, one-on-one tutorial system: online courses are delivered entirely via email between students and faculty, with students submitting 500–1,000 word response papers across six sessions plus a final edited paper. This is supplemented by week-long residential institutes at the Sarasota campus (6 credits each, equivalent to two online courses) and a global P.R.I.M.E. (Partnering Resources in Ministry Education) network of 15+ affiliate institutions — including Oxford University's Department for Continuing Education (since 1994) and Centro Pro Unione in Rome — through which students complete coursework locally worldwide. GTF also operates a Center for Advanced Interfaith Spiritual Direction offering a 30-credit M.A. completed in 18 months to 3 years.

GTF's business model is tuition-driven, with degree program prices ranging from approximately $11,645 (M.P.C. with WVIS transfer credits) to $25,170 (Ph.D. with WVIS), plus a non-refundable $65 application fee. Pricing varies by degree level, delivery format, and PRIME partner. Distribution relies on direct admissions (phone/Zoom interviews), the institutional website, email newsletter, Facebook, SEO, and referrals from faculty, alumni, and partner institutions. The institution maintains named professorships bearing the names of Paul Tillich, Karl Rahner, Carl Rogers, Viktor Frankl, Karen Horney, Gerald May, and François-Xavier Durrwell, and has received recognition from the World Congress on Logotherapy for educational leadership.

Name

Graduate Theological Foundation

Legal name

Graduate Theological Foundation

Website

https://gtfeducation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1962

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Graduate Theological Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit founded in 1962 offering undergraduate through doctoral degrees in theology and ministry to experienced practitioners, delivered via email-based online tutorials, Sarasota residential institutes, and a global network of 15+ PRIME partner institutions including Oxford University and Centro Pro Unione.

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

Ministerial Training Institutes (Clergy Formation) (EDAHAKAE)

akta.pro secondary industry

Christian Colleges with Theological Programs (EDAHAKAG)

Keywords

• Theological education
• Ministry training programs
• Pastoral counseling degrees
• Graduate seminary education
• Online theological courses

Headquarters

HQ city

Sarasota

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Degree Program Tuition: GTF generates revenue through tuition for academic and professional degree programs including Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees in theology, ministry, counseling, and related fields. Programs have varying tuition rates based on degree level and delivery format.
2. Application Fees: Non-refundable application fee of $65.00 required for all applicants to process their admission applications.
3. PRIME Partner Institution Programs: Students can complete coursework through PRIME partner institutions with separate tuition paid to those institutions plus GTF administrative and degree program costs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The Graduate Theological Foundation (GTF) is an ecumenical and interreligious nonprofit educational foundation that delivers graduate theological and ministry education through email-based one-on-one online tutorials, week-long residential institutes in Sarasota, Florida, and a global network of P.R.I.M.E. partner institutions. It offers bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degree programs in theology, pastoral counseling, spiritual direction, sacred music, and related fields, recognizing five or more years of ministry experience as equivalent to 90 undergraduate credits.

Product overview

Graduate Theological Foundation is an ecumenical and interreligious 501(c)(3) non-profit educational foundation that offers graduate theological education primarily through online email-based courses and residential institutes. The institution provides a comprehensive portfolio of degree programs spanning undergraduate certificates, bachelor's, master's (academic and professional), and doctoral degrees (academic and professional) in areas including theology, spiritual direction, pastoral counseling, psychology, sacred music, and tribunal studies. The product ecosystem includes: Online Courses (E-Tutorials) as the primary distance learning format with one-on-one faculty tutorials; Residential Institutes in Sarasota, Florida offering intensive on-site study weeks; the Center for Advanced Interfaith Spiritual Direction providing specialized interfaith training; and P.R.I.M.E. partnerships with affiliate institutions worldwide. Students may also complete portions of their coursework through Oxford University and Centro Pro Unione affiliations. The institution does not hold accreditation from a Department of Education approved accrediting agency.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Online Courses (E-Tutorials) Email-based one-on-one tutorial courses between students and faculty covering theology, spirituality, counseling, and ministry topics. Students submit 500-1,000 word response papers for six sessions plus a final edited paper with bibliography.
• Residential Institutes On-site intensive week-long seminars held at GTF offices in Sarasota, Florida. Each institute runs five days (Monday-Friday) on a specific theme with morning and afternoon seminars, providing 6 credits of study.
• Center for Advanced Interfaith Spiritual Direction Graduate-level studies for ministry professionals offering a Master of Arts in Interfaith Spiritual Direction degree program focused on deepening knowledge and experience in offering spiritual direction in interfaith settings.
• Academic Doctoral Degrees Doctoral degrees including Ph.D. (Biblical Studies, Islamic Studies, Clinical Pastoral Psychotherapy, Pastoral Psychology, Theological Studies, Pastoral Logotherapy, Church History) and Th.D. (Anglican/Episcopal, Methodist, Baptist, Roman Catholic Studies).
• Professional Doctoral Degrees Professional doctoral degrees including Doctor of Education (Ed.D.), Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.), Doctor of Mediation (D.Med.), Doctor of Sacred Music (D.S.M.), Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.), and Doctor of Tribunal Studies.
• Academic Master's Degrees Master's degrees including Master of Theology (M.Th.), Master of Theology in Buddhist Studies, Master of Theology in Islamic Studies, and Master of Tribunal Studies.
• Professional Master's Degrees Professional master's degrees including M.B.A. in Pastoral Planning and Church Management, Master of Mediation (M.Med.), Master of Pastoral Counseling (M.P.C.), Master of Religious Education (M.R.E.), and Master of Sacred Music (M.S.M.).
• Undergraduate Degrees Bachelor's degrees including Bachelor of Theology (B.Th.), Bachelor of Theology in Islamic Studies, B.Th. for Roman Catholic Deacons, Bachelor of Religious Education (B.R.E.), and Bachelor of Sacred Music (B.S.M.). Portfolio-based credit awarded for prior ministry experience.
• P.R.I.M.E. (Partnering Resources in Ministry Education) An affiliation allowing students to earn GTF degrees by completing coursework through P.R.I.M.E. affiliate institutions providing specialized curricula for specific degree concentrations worldwide.
• Oxford Theology Summer School Affiliation with Oxford University's Department for Continuing Education (OUDCE) allowing students to complete graduate studies during the Oxford Theology Summer School hosted at Christ Church College, Oxford.
• Centro Pro Unione Summer Course Affiliation with Centro Pro Unione in Rome allowing students to complete graduate studies during the annual Summer Course at the ecumenical research and action center.

Quantifiable outcome

• 90 credits awarded for five or more years of professional-level ministry experience
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

21 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Oxford University - Department for Continuing Education (OUDCE)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1994Formalized in 1994, this affiliation allows GTF students the opportunity to complete part or all of their graduate studies during the Oxford Theology Summer School of the OUDCE hosted at Christ Church College, Oxford.
• Centro Pro Unione - RomecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFor over two decades, GTF has enjoyed an affiliation with Centro Pro Unione in Rome, an ecumenical research and action center engaged in education. Students can complete graduate studies during the annual Summer Course.
• West Virginia Institute for SpiritualitycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPRIME partner allowing students to complete partial coursework requirements for M.P.C., D.Min., Ph.D., and D.S.M. degrees. The institute provides space and opportunities for deepening mindfulness, prayer practice, interior peace, and integrating moral and ethical values.
• The Haden InstitutecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLeading edge organization engaging in education, experiences, and relationships for spiritual life and direction. Specializes in the art of spiritual guidance and dreamwork guidance. Full certificate program can fulfill all but the doctoral project for D.Min. in Spiritual Direction or Dream Work Guidance.
• The Metta CentercoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEducational institution rooted in the Perennial Tradition providing specialized training in spiritual companionship including customized certificate completion training in spiritual direction and Grief Companion Training for caring professionals.
• Academy for Psychotherapy and Logotherapy (APL)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPostgraduate educational institution in Radomlje, Slovenia dedicated to education in psychotherapy, logotherapy, existential analysis, counseling, supervision, and human development. Based on Viktor E. Frankl's Logotherapy and Existential Analysis. Offers Specialist Program in Psychotherapy with approximately 900 contact hours.
• LIFE MOVEMENT (Leven Institute for Expressive Movement)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOffers somatic training programs to help enrich talents and realize potential as students bring healing and transformation to clients. The 500-hour combined training programs include SomaSoul Somatic Therapy Training and Shake Your Soul: The Yoga of Dance.
• Alamance Institute for Pastoral CounselingminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPRIME partner institution providing specialized curricula for specific degree concentrations in ministry education.
• Blue Lotus School of Mindfulness ArtsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPRIME partner institution offering training in mindfulness arts and contemplative practices.
• Center for Religious Education and Musica SacraminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPRIME partner institution specializing in religious education and sacred music training.
• Christian Contemplative Spirituality InstituteminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPRIME partner institution focused on Christian contemplative spirituality and spiritual direction.
• Institute for Psychodynamic Pastoral Supervision, LLC (IPPS)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPRIME partner institution providing psychodynamic pastoral supervision training.
• Dominican Center at MarywoodminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPRIME partner institution offering spiritual direction and ministry training programs.
• The Guild for Spiritual GuidanceminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPRIME partner institution dedicated to spiritual guidance training and formation.
• Hartford Family InstituteminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPRIME partner institution providing family-focused ministry and counseling training.
• International Institute of Theological and Tribunal Studies, IITTSminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPRIME partner institution specializing in theological studies and tribunal studies.
• Society of Catholic Social ScientistsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPRIME partner institution bringing together Catholic social scientists for interdisciplinary research and education.
• The Spiritual Guidance Training InstituteminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPRIME partner institution training spiritual directors and guides with inter-contemplative focus.
• Tao Fong Shan Christian CentreminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPRIME partner institution in Hong Kong providing Christian formation and theological education.
• Viktor Frankl Institute of LogotherapycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPRIME partner institution specializing in logotherapy and existential analysis based on Viktor Frankl's work. GTF accepts logotherapy courses from VFIL as transfer or elective credits.
• Worklife InstituteminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPRIME partner institution focused on work-life integration and professional ministry development.

Scale indicators3 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Ashland Theological Seminary: An evangelical graduate theological seminary offering master's and doctoral degrees with online and residential formats. Comparable to GTF in offering flexible online theological education and a D.Min. program for working ministers.
• Chicago Theological Seminary: A progressive, multiracial, multi-denominational graduate theological seminary in Chicago offering Ph.D., D.Min., and master's degrees. Comparable to GTF in ecumenical graduate theological education for ministry professionals.
• Iliff School of Theology: A United Methodist-affiliated graduate theological school in Denver offering master's and doctoral programs in theology, ministry, and counseling. Comparable to GTF in offering graduate-level theological degrees for ministry professionals, though denominational rather than interreligious.
• Hartford Seminary: Hartford International University for Religion and Peace (formerly Hartford Seminary) is an interreligious, ecumenical graduate school offering master's and doctoral degrees in theological and interfaith studies. Directly comparable to GTF's interreligious, graduate-only model and target audience of ministry professionals.
• Claremont School of Theology: An ecumenical graduate theological school offering Ph.D., Th.D., D.Min., and master's degrees in theology, religion, and pastoral counseling. Highly comparable to GTF in academic/professional doctoral mix and interreligious positioning.
• Brite Divinity School: A progressive Christian theological school affiliated with Texas Christian University offering master's and doctoral degrees. Comparable to GTF in serving ministry professionals with graduate theological education and a focus on practical ministry training.
• Wesley Theological Seminary: A United Methodist graduate theological seminary in Washington, D.C. offering master's and doctoral programs including D.Min. Comparable to GTF in serving ministry professionals with graduate theological education and hybrid delivery formats.
• Pacific School of Religion: A progressive, multi-denominational graduate theological school in Berkeley offering master's and doctoral degrees in theology, divinity, and ministry. Comparable to GTF in serving ministry professionals across denominations with graduate theological programs.

Broad incumbents

• Boston College School of Theology and Ministry: A Roman Catholic graduate theological school within Boston College offering master's and doctoral degrees in theology and ministry. Comparable to GTF in graduate theological education, though GTF is interreligious and BCSTM is Catholic-sponsored; serves as a broader, accredited incumbent.

Emerging players

• Viktor Frankl Institute of Logotherapy: An organization dedicated to logotherapy and existential analysis training. Already a P.R.I.M.E. partner of GTF, but operates its own training programs that overlap with GTF's pastoral counseling and psychotherapy degrees, making it both a partner and adjacent educational peer.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/graduatetheologicalfoundation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Graduate Theological Foundation