This page contains various academic-related resources. Students are expected to be familiar with, and regularly visit and review, this information as appropriate.
Master’s Students Program Guides
See below based on entrance year into the degree program for the appropriate academic materials.
2023-24: Current Academic Year
Master of ARTS in religion
The Master of Arts in Religion (MAR) is a two-year, full-time degree program with a 51-credit minimum requirement. Students are provided with a “basic understanding of theological disciplines for further graduate study or for general educational purposes” that will enrich students’ work in their chosen professions. View the Program Guide for a detailed overview of the degree requirements including core requirements and available concentrations: Program Guide
Select the appropriate Degree Planner based on vocational goals and selected concentration:
Master of ARTS in SOCIAL JUSTICE
The Master of Arts in Social Justice (MASJ) is a part-time, online degree program with a 36-credit minimum requirement. The degree includes distribution requirements of courses across five different social justice domains. View the Program Guide for a detailed overview of the degree including requirements: Program Guide
Master of Divinity
The Master of Divinity (MDiv) is a full-time, residential, three-year graduate professional degree that requires 78-credit, including core distribution requirements across five fields. View the Program Guide for a detailed overview of the degree requirements including core requirements and available concentrations: Program Guide
Select the appropriate Degree Planner based on vocational goals and intended track and concentration.
Ministerial Leadership:
- Ministerial Leadership concentrations
- Anglican Studies
- Chaplaincy
- Social Work dual degree with Columbia
- Social Work dual degree with Silberman
Buddhism & Interreligious Engagement:
- Buddhism & Interreligious Engagement (BIE)
- BIE Chaplaincy
- BIE Social Work dual degree with Columbia
- BIE Social Work dual degree with Silberman
Islam & Interreligious Engagement:
- Islam & Interreligious Engagement (IIE)
- IIE Chaplaincy
- IIE Social Work dual degree with Columbia
- Social Work dual degree with Silberman
Master of SACRED THEOLOGY
The Master of Sacred Theology (STM) is normally a one-year degree requiring satisfactory completion of 24-credits in advanced courses (200 level and higher), modern language exam, and extended paper. View the Program Guide for a detailed overview of the degree requirements including core requirements and available areas of focus: Program Guide
View the Degree Planner for details and specific requirements: Degree Planner
2022 - 2023
Master of ARTS in religion
The Master of Arts in Religion (MAR) is a two-year, full-time degree program with a 51-credit minimum requirement. Students are provided with a “basic understanding of theological disciplines for further graduate study or for general educational purposes” that will enrich students’ work in their chosen professions. View the Program Guide for a detailed overview of the degree requirements including core requirements and available concentrations.
Select the appropriate Degree Planner based on vocational goals and selected concentration:
- Master of Arts concentrations
- Buddhism & Interreligious Engagement
- Islam & Interreligious Engagement
Master of ARTS in SOCIAL JUSTICE
The Master of Arts in Social Justice (MASJ) is a part-time, online degree program with a 36-credit minimum requirement. The degree includes distribution requirements of courses across five different social justice domains. View the Program Guide below for a detailed overview of the degree including requirements.
Master of Divinity
The Master of Divinity (MDiv) is a full-time, residential, three-year graduate professional degree that requires 78-credit, including core distribution requirements across five fields. View the Program Guide for a detailed overview of the degree requirements including core requirements and available concentrations.
Select the appropriate Degree Planner based on vocational goals and intended track and concentration.
Ministerial Leadership:
- Ministerial Leadership concentrations
- Chaplaincy
- Anglican Studies
- Social Work dual degree with Columbia
- Social Work dual degree with Silberman
Buddhism & Interreligious Engagement:
- Buddhism & Interreligious Engagement (BIE)
- Chaplaincy
- Social Work dual degree with Columbia
- Social Work dual degree with Silberman
Islam & Interreligious Engagement:
- Islam & Interreligious Engagement (IIE)
- Chaplaincy
- Social Work dual degree with Columbia
- Social Work dual degree with Silberman
Master of SACRED THEOLOGY
The Master of Sacred Theology (STM) is normally a one-year degree requiring satisfactory completion of 24-credits in advanced courses (200 level and higher), modern language exam, and extended paper. View the Program Guide for a detailed overview of the degree requirements including core requirements and available areas of focus.
View the Degree Planner for details and specific requirements:
2021 - 2022
Master of Divinity
Select the appropriate Degree Planner based on vocational goals and intended track and concentration.
Ministerial Leadership
- Ministerial Leadership concentrations
- Chaplaincy
- Anglican Studies
- Social Work dual degree with Columbia
- Social Work dual degree with Silberman
Buddhism & Interreligious Engagement
- Buddhism & Interreligious Engagement (BIE)
- Chaplaincy
- Social Work dual degree with Columbia
- Social Work dual degree with Silberman
Islam & Interreligious Engagement
- Islam & Interreligious Engagement (IIE)
- Chaplaincy
- Social Work dual degree with Columbia
- Social Work dual degree with Silberman
Master of ARTS
Select the appropriate Degree Planner based on vocational goals and selected concentration:
- Master of Arts concentrations
- Buddhism & Interreligious Engagement
- Islam & Interreligious Engagement
Master of SACRED THEOLOGY
View the Degree Planner for details and specific requirements:
2020 - 2021
Master of Divinity
Degree Planners:
Ministerial Leadership
- Ministerial Leadership concentrations
- Chaplaincy
- Anglican Studies
- Social Work dual-degree with Columbia
- Social Work dual-degree with Silberman
Buddhism & Interreligious Engagement
- Buddhism & Interreligious Engagement (BIE)
- Chaplaincy
- Social Work dual-degree with Columbia
- Social Work dual-degree with Silberman
Islam & Interreligious Engagement
- Islam & Interreligious Engagement (IIE)
- Chaplaincy
- Social Work dual-degree with Columbia
- Social Work dual-degree with Silberman
Master of ARTS
Degree Planners:
- Master of Arts concentrations
- Buddhism & Interreligious Engagement
- Islam & Interreligious Engagement
Master of SACRED THEOLOGY
2019 - 2020
Master of Divinity
Degree Planners:
- Ministerial Leadership concentrations
- Anglican Studies
- Buddhism & Interreligious Engagement
- Islam & Interreligious Engagement
- MDiv/Social Work with Columbia University
Master of arts
Master of SACRED THEOLOGY
Advanced Certificate Program Guide
See below based on the entrance year for the appropriate academic materials.
2023-24: Current Academic Year
The following advanced certificate programs are reflected in the below program guide: Interreligious Engagement, Spirituality, Social Justice
Doctoral Students Degree Handbooks
See below based on the degree program for the appropriate academic materials.
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) prepares individuals for careers in teaching and research at colleges, universities, and seminaries. The program also trains students for leadership positions in religious institutions, or at social service or social justice agencies.
Degree Handbook Academic Year 2023-24: (Current)
- Advisor Assessment (Yearly)
- Self-Assessment (Yearly)
- Comprehensive Exam
- Dissertation Proposal
- Dissertation Defense
- Program Plan
- Teaching Fellow Evaluation
Comprehensive Exam Templates
- Biblical Field I – Old Testament
- Biblical Field II – New Testament
- History Field
- Interreligious Engagement Field
- Theology and Ethics Field
- Psychology and Religion
Previous Handbooks:
Doctor of Ministry (DMin)
Union Theological Seminary offers the Doctor of Ministry (DMin) degree in Spiritual Care Education and Leadership for students who want to become Certified Educators to teach Clinical Pastoral Education programs, to demonstrate competences for Clinical Educators who want to be certified as National Faculty, or to fill positions of leadership in religious or social service or social justice agencies.
Read about the origin of Union’s DMin program here.
Degree Handbook: DMin Handbook 2020-21 (Current)
DMin Degree Archive:
Thesis & Project
Master of Arts in Religion(MAR) students are required to write a thesis. Master of Divinity (MDiv) students may compose a final project or write a thesis. Master of Arts in Social Justice (MASJ) students are required to complete a final project. The thesis and project are completed in the final year of the program. Review the appropriate information below based on your academic program and final assignment before graduation.
MAR & MDiv Thesis & Project Instructions – includes links to Overview forms
MAR & MDiv Proposal Template
MAR Thesis Overview Form
MDiv Project/Thesis Overview (or Additional Electives) form
Grading Guidelines
If your research involves work with live human subjects (e.g., interviews, focus groups), review Union’s Institutional Review Board (IRB) guidelines and complete the required Research Ethics Training. IRB FAQ.
Extended Paper
Master of Sacred Theology (STM) students are required to write an extended paper related to one of their courses. Review the form and instructions below.
Extended Paper Overview form
Proposal Template
Online Learning Guidelines
View this page for expectations as Union’s 2020-21 instruction moves to an online delivery method. Students are expected to be familiar with the online learning guidelines.
Writing Resources
Visit this page to access the various writing and technology resources available to students.