How to Apply

Statement of Non-Discrimination

Union Theological Seminary admits students regardless of race, color, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin or disability, to all the rights, privileges, and programs generally accorded to students at the Seminary.  It does not discriminate on the basis of any of these distinctions in the administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, or other programs administered by the Seminary. 

Eligibility

A student is eligible to apply for Union’s First Degree Programs, Master of Arts (M.A.), Master of Divinity (M.Div.), Master of Divinity and Master of Science in Social Work (M.Div/M.S.S.W.), if they have a B.A. degree or its equivalent from an accredited college or university, and a record of high achievement.  Prior study in the field of religion is not required, but strong preparation in liberal arts studies is expected. 

Applicants to Union’s Advanced Degree Programs, Master of Sacred Theology (S.T.M.) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), must also have completed, or must be in the process of completing, the M.Div. or the M.A. degree (or its equivalent as determined at the time of application) with distinction in an accredited seminary or will have completed at least 2 years of distinguished graduate studies in religion and obtained a very thorough grounding in biblical, theological and historical subjects.

Students from the United States who do not have a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent, or who come from an unaccredited institution, should write to the Associate Dean of Admissions & Financial Aid at the Seminary concerning eligibility for admission. All students from outside the United States should contact the Associate Dean of Admissions & Financial Aid in sufficient time to determine eligibility and to complete the application process.

General Application Procedures

Each degree program at Union has different application requirements. However, generally, a completed Application for Admissions includes the following items:

1. Online Application Form. (please contact the Office of Admissions if you need a hard-copy)

2. Personal Statement (this may be uploaded as a PDF or Word Document during the online application process):  

Master of Arts Personal Statement 

Master of Divinity Personal Statement

Master of Sacred Theology Personal Statement 

Doctor of Philosophy Personal Statement

Non-Degree Personal Statement

   

3. Official copies of all transcripts from each undergraduate and graduate institution attended must be sent directly from the Registrar to the Office of Admissions, Union Theological Seminary.

If the institution does not provide an English translation, please obtain a notarized English translation.

Unofficial transcripts may be uploaded as a PDF document during the online application process.  However, prior to official enrollment official transcripts must be sent directly from the degree-granting institution to the Seminary.

4. Résumé
(this should be uploaded as a PDF or Word Document during the online application process)

Your résumé should include extracurricular and/or vocational activities, church or campus ministry activities in which you participated, jobs you have held starting with the most recent. Military experience, time rearing children and volunteer work should also be included when applicable. 

5. Recommendation Letters.

Submit recommendations from faculty members, professional persons, members of the clergy, and Union alumni/ae who are familiar with your academic background, discernment process, and vocational aspirations.  Preferably at least one of the recommendations will be written by a former professor.

Upon completion of the online application, the applicant will receive instructions on how to submit letters of recommendation. Union provides recommenders with a recommendation form (online or print) that indicates to the recommender the pertinent areas we consider when reviewing the recommendation.

PLEASE NOTE: If you would like to have your recommenders submit letters of recommendation prior to the completion of the online application, please follow these instructions. 

5. $75 non-refundable application fee.

6. Test Scores.

Applicants to the Ph.D. program who reside in the U.S. or Canada at the time of application are required to submit official scores on the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) general test. Scores more than five years old are unacceptable.

International students and non-native English speakers may need to fulfill additional application requirements

Union will retain the credentials of non-matriculants and applicants not admitted for three years.  After that period, all materials are destroyed.

Union's ETS school code is 2922.

Applicants are encouraged to submit all application materials through the online application system. Unofficial documents will be used for admission consideration. If you wish to fill out paper application please contact admissions@uts.columbia.edu

Applications are not considered complete until all required materials listed above (official transcripts and test scores when applicable) have been received.

Only complete applications will be reviewed. 

All mailed materials should clearly bear the applicant’s name and the name of the program to which he or she is applying.

Mailing Address:

Office of Admissions
Union Theological Seminary

3041 Broadway

New York, NY 10027