Application Procedures

A student is eligible to apply for Union’s First Degree Programs, Master of Arts in Religion (M.A.R.), Master of Divinity (M.Div.), 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 the Master of Sacred Theology (S.T.M.)  must also have completed, or must be in the process of completing, the M.Div. or the M.A.R. 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.

There is a $75 application fee.

Fee waivers are considered on a case by case basis. Once you begin your application, please complete the form in the Applicant Status Portal to be considered for a fee waiver.

Essay 1:
Please address the following questions in a narrative of no more than 1000 words (approximately 4 pages, double-spaced). You need not address these question in the order they are listed.

1. Tell us about yourself, and in doing so, describe a unique perspective, skill set, or life experience you have. Articulate how your unique perspective might benefit your classmates, enhance discourse in the classroom, and/or contribute to the UTS community.
2. What are your academic and vocational goals? How will graduate study at UTS help you meet them?
3. State a major theological question that you wish to explore during your studies at UTS. Explain in detail the importance of this intellectual problem for you.

 Essay 2: 

Tell us about a challenge you experienced in your personal, spiritual, academic, or professional life. How did you respond? What did you learn about yourself? What actions did you take to overcome the challenge? In retrospect, would you have done things differently? (500 words)

Applicants to Union are required to hold a four-year bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in the U.S. or an equivalent degree from a foreign country. If you submit your application prior to the conferral of your bachelor’s degree or equivalent, we will accept and evaluate your application with the understanding that your degree completion is in progress. If an offer of admission is made, it will be contingent upon receiving your degree conferral prior to enrollment.

During the application process, you are permitted to upload an unofficial copy of your transcript(s) directly into your application portal. Unofficial transcripts are required from all colleges or universities attended in which you earned grades and/or academic credits at the college-level, including undergraduate, study abroad, transfer credits, continuing education, etc.

·       Uploaded files must be scanned copies of transcript(s) received from the college/university registrar OR electronic transcripts (such as those available through eSCRIP-SAFE, Parchment, and National Student Clearinghouse).

·      Unofficial transcripts may be uploaded as a PDF document during the online application process. Word documents and HTML documents are not acceptable.

·       Transcripts must show all courses taken, all credits earned, and all grades received.

·       Transcripts must include your full legal name and the name of the college or university attended.

·       Transcripts must be written in English. If the institution does not provide an English translation, please obtain a notarized English translation.

If you are admitted, you must submit official transcripts from all degree-granting programs you have completed. We accept hard copies mailed directly from each school’s registrar in a sealed envelop, and electronic copies if your institution uses eSCRIP-SAFE, Parchment, or National Student Clearinghouse). Electronic transcripts should be sent to admissions@utsnyc.edu; hard copies can be mailed addressed to Union Theological Seminary Admissions, 3041 Broadway, New York, NY 10027.

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.

(Upload as a PDF or Word Document during the online application process.)

All recommendations must be submitted online and should come directly from the recommender.

Instructions to the Applicant

As you are working on your application, please make sure to save your Programs and Uploads page. Once you have done this, go to the ‘Recommendations’ page within your application and provide the contact information for your Recommenders. Once you have saved this page the system will automatically email each recommender. You will then be notified as each letter is successfully submitted on your behalf.

Instructions to the Recommender

Once an applicant has informed you that you will be their recommender, please keep an eye out for a system email from ‘Union Theological Seminary’.

This email will contain a hyperlink to a recommendation form. The form will require you to upload a letter of support for the applicant in a PDF format, as well as provide short answers to a few questions. Once you submit this form, you will receive a confirmation email.

Please contact the admissions office at admissions@utsnyc.edu with any questions.

Presently, all classroom lectures are conducted in English. Because we want all students to be able to thrive in such an academic setting, all applicants must demonstrate proficiency in English during the application process. Note: English Language Test scores are waived if you previously attended a school where the main language of instruction was English.

Union accepts the following score reports:

• TOEFL (School Code: 2922)
• IELTS
• Duolingo English Test

Both merit and need-based scholarships are available to new and continuing full-time students enrolled in a qualifying degree program. Over 90% of Union students receive some form of financial assistance, with the average award covering 50% of tuition or more. Please refer to your Funding Letter for more information about your award.

To be considered for financial aid, you will be required to file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or via the myStudentAid app on IOS or Android. Please use G02890 as your school code.

A student is eligible to apply for Union’s Master of Arts in Social Justice (M.A.S.J.) 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.

There is a $75 application fee.

Fee waivers are considered on a case by case basis. Once you begin your application, please complete the form in the Applicant Status Portal to be considered for a fee waiver.

Essay 1:
Please address the following questions in a narrative of no more than 1000 words (approximately 4 pages, double-spaced). You need not address these question in the order they are listed.

1. Tell us about yourself, and in doing so, describe a unique perspective, skill set, or life experience you have. Articulate how your unique perspective might benefit your classmates, enhance discourse in the classroom, and/or contribute to the UTS community.
2. What are your academic and vocational goals? How will graduate study at UTS help you meet them?
3. Identify a major social justice issue that you wish to explore during your studies at UTS. Explain in detail the importance of this issue to you and the potential role that faith communities can play in addressing this issue.

 Essay 2: 

Tell us about a challenge you experienced in your personal, spiritual, academic, or professional life. How did you respond? What did you learn about yourself? What actions did you take to overcome the challenge? In retrospect, would you have done things differently? (500 words)

Applicants to Union are required to hold a four-year bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in the U.S. or an equivalent degree from a foreign country. If you submit your application prior to the conferral of your bachelor’s degree or equivalent, we will accept and evaluate your application with the understanding that your degree completion is in progress. If an offer of admission is made, it will be contingent upon receiving your degree conferral prior to enrollment.

During the application process, you are permitted to upload an unofficial copy of your transcript(s) directly into your application portal. Unofficial transcripts are required from all colleges or universities attended in which you earned grades and/or academic credits at the college-level, including undergraduate, study abroad, transfer credits, continuing education, etc.

·       Uploaded files must be scanned copies of transcript(s) received from the college/university registrar OR electronic transcripts (such as those available through eSCRIP-SAFE, Parchment, and National Student Clearinghouse).

·      Unofficial transcripts may be uploaded as a PDF document during the online application process. Word documents and HTML documents are not acceptable.

·       Transcripts must show all courses taken, all credits earned, and all grades received.

·       Transcripts must include your full legal name and the name of the college or university attended.

·       Transcripts must be written in English. If the institution does not provide an English translation, please obtain a notarized English translation.

If you are admitted, you must submit official transcripts from all degree-granting programs you have completed. We accept hard copies mailed directly from each school’s registrar in a sealed envelop, and electronic copies if your institution uses eSCRIP-SAFE, Parchment, or National Student Clearinghouse). Electronic transcripts should be sent to admissions@utsnyc.edu; hard copies can be mailed addressed to Union Theological Seminary Admissions, 3041 Broadway, New York, NY 10027.

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.

(Upload as a PDF or Word Document during the online application process.)

All recommendations must be submitted online and should come directly from the recommender.

Instructions to the Applicant

As you are working on your application, please make sure to save your Programs and Uploads page. Once you have done this, go to the ‘Recommendations’ page within your application and provide the contact information for your Recommenders. Once you have saved this page the system will automatically email each recommender. You will then be notified as each letter is successfully submitted on your behalf.

Instructions to the Recommender

Once an applicant has informed you that you will be their recommender, please keep an eye out for a system email from ‘Union Theological Seminary’.

This email will contain a hyperlink to a recommendation form. The form will require you to upload a letter of support for the applicant in a PDF format, as well as provide short answers to a few questions. Once you submit this form, you will receive a confirmation email.

Please contact the admissions office at admissions@utsnyc.edu with any questions.

Presently, all online courses are conducted in English. Because we want all students to be able to thrive in such an academic setting, all applicants must demonstrate proficiency in English during the application process. Note: English Language Test scores are waived if you previously attended a school where the main language of instruction was English.

Union accepts the following score reports:

• TOEFL (School Code: 2922)
• IELTS
• Duolingo English Test

A limited number of Social Justice Scholarships are available to new students enrolling in the online MASJ program. All scholarships are awarded at the time of admission. Please refer to your Funding Letter for more information about your award.

To be considered for financial aid, you will be required to file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or via the myStudentAid app on IOS or Android. Please use G02890 as your school code.

Applicants to Union’s Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) program must 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 two years of distinguished graduate studies in religion and obtained a very thorough grounding in biblical, theological, and historical subjects.

There is a $75 application fee.

Fee waivers are considered on a case by case basis. Once you begin your application, please complete the form in the Applicant Status Portal to be considered for a fee waiver.

Please provide a personal statement that addresses the following areas in a narrative of no more than 1000 words (approximately 4 pages, double-spaced). You need not address these questions in the order they are listed.

1. Provide a brief intellectual autobiography describing the formation of your scholarly interests and present intellectual and/or spiritual concerns;

2. Describe the special area of interest or particular problems, theories, movements, periods, etc., upon which your study would focus;

3. Describe your tentative research plans, including specific problems or general intellectual fields in which you hope to work;

4. Explain how your past experience, academic training or research experience has prepared you to pursue graduate work in your area of interest.

In an additional 300 words, please describe as precisely as possible your reasons for applying to study in the program and the field/discipline you have indicated in your application.

Please submit a research paper or an essay that is representative of your work. The paper should be about 20 pages in length, double spaced.

Ph.D. applicants to Union are required to hold a four-year bachelor’s degree, as well as a graduate degree in fields related to religion and theology from an accredited college or university in the U.S. or an equivalent degree from a foreign country.

During the application process, you are permitted to upload an unofficial copy of your transcript(s) directly into your application portal. Unofficial transcripts are required from all colleges or universities attended in which you earned grades and/or academic credits at the college-level, including undergraduate, study abroad, transfer credits, continuing education, etc.

·       Uploaded files must be scanned copies of transcript(s) received from the college/university registrar OR electronic transcripts (such as those available through eSCRIP-SAFE, Parchment, and National Student Clearinghouse).

·      Unofficial transcripts may be uploaded as a PDF document during the online application process. Word documents and HTML documents are not acceptable.

·       Transcripts must show all courses taken, all credits earned, and all grades received.

·       Transcripts must include your full legal name and the name of the college or university attended.

·       Transcripts must be written in English. If the institution does not provide an English translation, please obtain a notarized English translation.

If you are admitted, you must submit official transcripts from all degree-granting programs you have completed. We accept hard copies mailed directly from each school’s registrar in a sealed envelop, and electronic copies if your institution uses eSCRIP-SAFE, Parchment, or National Student Clearinghouse). Electronic transcripts should be sent to admissions@utsnyc.edu; hard copies can be mailed addressed to Union Theological Seminary Admissions, 3041 Broadway, New York, NY 10027.

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.

(Upload as a PDF or Word Document during the online application process.)

All recommendations must be submitted online and should come directly from the recommender.

Instructions to the Applicant

As you are working on your application, please make sure to save your Programs and Uploads page. Once you have done this, go to the ‘Recommendations’ page within your application and provide the contact information for your Recommenders. Once you have saved this page the system will automatically email each recommender. You will then be notified as each letter is successfully submitted on your behalf.

Instructions to the Recommender

Once an applicant has informed you that you will be their recommender, please keep an eye out for a system email from ‘Union Theological Seminary’.

This email will contain a hyperlink to a recommendation form. The form will require you to upload a letter of support for the applicant in a PDF format, as well as provide short answers to a few questions. Once you submit this form, you will receive a confirmation email.

Please contact the admissions office at admissions@utsnyc.edu with any questions.

GRE test scores are encouraged but not required for applicants.  Should you decide to submit scores, Union’s ETS institution code is 2922. The Faculty Admissions Committee welcomes any graduate level standardized tests you might have taken.

TOEFL/IELTS and Duolingo Test Scores
Presently, all classroom lectures are conducted in English. Because we want all students to be able to thrive in such an academic setting, all applicants must demonstrate a proficiency in English during the application process. Note: English Language Test scores are waived if you previously attended a school where the main language of instruction was English.

Union accepts the following score reports:

• TOEFL (School Code: 2922)
• IELTS
• Duolingo English Test

Both merit and need-based scholarships are available to new and continuing full-time students enrolled in a qualifying degree program. Over 90% of Union students receive some form of financial assistance, with the average award covering 50% of tuition or more. Please refer to your Funding Letter for more information about your award.

To be considered for financial aid, you will be required to file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or via the myStudentAid app on IOS or Android. Please use G02890 as your school code.

There is a $75 application fee.

Fee waivers are considered on a case by case basis. Once you begin your application, please complete the form in the Applicant Status Portal to be considered for a fee waiver.

Applicants may apply to the Non-Degree program at  Union Theological Seminary in order able to pursue a limited number of courses as a Special Student.  Please tell us about your specific plans for pursuing coursework at Union:

1. What courses do you plan to take?  Please review our Academic Catalog (add link) and note the course title and/or course description.  If you have not yet determined a specific course of study, please let us about your interests.
2. How will your studies at Union contribute to your vocational goals, or enhance your intellectual/spiritual development?

Applicants to Union are required to hold a four-year bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in the U.S. or an equivalent degree from a foreign country. If you submit your application prior to the conferral of your bachelor’s degree or equivalent, we will accept and evaluate your application with the understanding that your degree completion is in progress. If an offer of admission is made, it will be contingent upon receiving your degree conferral prior to enrollment.

During the application process, you are permitted to upload an unofficial copy of your transcript(s) directly into your application portal. Unofficial transcripts are required from all colleges or universities attended in which you earned grades and/or academic credits at the college-level, including undergraduate, study abroad, transfer credits, continuing education, etc.

·       Uploaded files must be scanned copies of transcript(s) received from the college/university registrar OR electronic transcripts (such as those available through eSCRIP-SAFE, Parchment, and National Student Clearinghouse).

·      Unofficial transcripts may be uploaded as a PDF document during the online application process. Word documents and HTML documents are not acceptable.

·       Transcripts must show all courses taken, all credits earned, and all grades received.

·       Transcripts must include your full legal name and the name of the college or university attended.

·       Transcripts must be written in English. If the institution does not provide an English translation, please obtain a notarized English translation.

If you are admitted, you must submit official transcripts from all degree-granting programs you have completed. We accept hard copies mailed directly from each school’s registrar in a sealed envelop, and electronic copies if your institution uses eSCRIP-SAFE, Parchment, or National Student Clearinghouse). Electronic transcripts should be sent to admissions@utsnyc.edu; hard copies can be mailed addressed to Union Theological Seminary Admissions, 3041 Broadway, New York, NY 10027.

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.

(Upload as a PDF or Word Document during the online application process.)

Your recommendation must be submitted online and should come directly from the recommender.

Instructions to the Applicant

As you are working on your application, please make sure to save your Programs and Uploads page. Once you have done this, go to the ‘Recommendations’ page within your application and provide the contact information for your Recommenders. Once you have saved this page the system will automatically email each recommender. You will then be notified as each letter is successfully submitted on your behalf.

Instructions to the Recommender

Once an applicant has informed you that you will be their recommender, please keep an eye out for a system email from ‘Union Theological Seminary’.

This email will contain a hyperlink to a recommendation form. The form will require you to upload a letter of support for the applicant in a PDF format, as well as provide short answers to a few questions. Once you submit this form, you will receive a confirmation email.

Please contact the admissions office at admissions@utsnyc.edu with any questions.

Presently, all classroom lectures are conducted in English. Because we want all students to be able to thrive in such an academic setting, all applicants must demonstrate a proficiency in English during the application process. Note: English Language Test scores are waived if you previously attended a school where the main language of instruction was English.

Union accepts the following score reports:

• TOEFL (School Code: 2922)
• IELTS: E-delivery account name –
  E-delivery address –
• Duolingo English Test