Application Procedures

Master of Divinity and Master of Arts in Religion: Applicants are required to hold a four-year bachelor’s 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.

Master of Sacred Theology: Applicants 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 its equivalent from another country. We expect that the applicant will have received 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. Please complete the form in the Applicant 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 questions in the order they are listed.

1. Union is a diverse community that reflects the cooperative cultivation of spirituality, activism, leadership, and social justice.  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 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 strengths did you draw on to overcome the challenge? (500 words)

Faculty Interest:
Tell us about a faculty member whose work interests you.  Why? (250 words)

Video Reflection (MDiv and MAR only):
Record a video of approximately one (1) minute in length. The video must be of the applicant. A simple phone or webcam video recording is perfectly acceptable. We are interested in learning more about you, not your video editing skills!

Please select one of the four following prompts for your reflection:

1. How can faith and scholarship work together to address issues like climate change, racial justice, queer justice, and women’s rights? Pick an issue and share with us your thoughts.
2. Some applicants have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is imperative to their vision for the future. If this is you, please tell us about it.
3. We all have to deal with stereotypes. Tell us how you deal with the stereotypes that are projected upon you.
4. Describe a time that you have experienced culture shock.

Please provide information on your complete post-secondary academic history, including transcript(s), through the online application.  Submitted documents should meet the following criteria:

• Upload transcripts from all college or university programs attended in which you earned grades and/or academic credits, including undergraduate, transfer, graduate, certificate, study abroad, non-degree, etc.
• Unofficial transcripts are accepted for the review process.  All transcripts uploaded by the applicant are considered unofficial.
• Transcripts must clearly display your full legal name, the name of the college or university attended, and the degree program(s).
• Transcripts must show all courses taken, all credits earned, and all grades received.
• Transcripts must be written in English. Please obtain a notarized English translation if the institution does not provide an English translation.
• 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). Do not submit Word documents and HTML documents.
• 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.

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 envelope and electronic copies if your institution uses eSCRIP-SAFE, Parchment, or National Student Clearinghouse). Electronic transcripts should be sent to [email protected]; hard copies can be mailed to Union Theological Seminary Admissions, 3041 Broadway, New York, NY 10027.

Your résumé should summarize your past work experience, extracurricular and/or vocational activities, church or campus ministry activities, teaching experience, and/or publication record. 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 and provide short answers to a few questions. Once you submit this form, you will receive a confirmation email.

Please contact the admissions office at [email protected] with any questions.

Presently, all classroom lectures are conducted in English. Because we want all students 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. Over 90% of Union students receive some form of financial assistance, with the average award covering 75% of tuition or more.

Merit scholarship awards are generally awarded at the time of admission. To be considered, students must have submitted an application to a relevant Union degree program.

You must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to be considered for need-based financial aid. Please use G02890 as your school code. Please submit your FAFSA the same day you submit your application to ensure timely processing of your financial aid award.

We recommend that you submit your FAFSA on the same day that you submit your application to ensure timely processing of your financial aid award.

Master of Arts in Social Justice: Applicants are required to hold a four-year bachelor’s 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. Please complete the form in the Applicant 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)

Please provide information on your complete post-secondary academic history,including transcript(s), through the online application.  Submitted documents should meet the following criteria:

• Upload transcripts from all college or university programs attended in which you earned grades and/or academic credits, including undergraduate, transfer, graduate, certificate, study abroad, non-degree, etc.
• Unofficial transcripts are accepted for the review process.  All transcripts uploaded by the applicant are considered unofficial.
• Transcripts must clearly display your full legal name, the name of the college or university attended and the degree program(s).
• Transcripts must show all courses taken, all credits earned, and all grades received.
• Transcripts must be written in English. If the institution does not provide an English translation, please obtain a notarized English translation.
• 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). Do not submit Word documents and HTML documents.
• 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.

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 [email protected]; hard copies can be mailed addressed to Union Theological Seminary Admissions, 3041 Broadway, New York, NY 10027.

Your résumé should summarize your past work experience, extracurricular and/or vocational activities, church or campus ministry activities, teaching experience, and/or publication record. 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 [email protected] 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

All MASJ applicants who submit a complete application for admission will be considered for scholarship funding. As a part-time program for working professionals, financial aid is limited.

To be considered for need-based financial aid, you must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Please use G02890 as your school code. Please submit your FAFSA on the same day that you submit your application to ensure timely processing of your financial aid award.

Doctor of Philosophy in Theology: Applicants are required to hold a four-year bachelor’s degree, as well as a graduate degree in fields related to religion and theology, such as a Master of Divinity or Master of Arts in Religion degree from an accredited college or university in the U.S. or an equivalent degree from a foreign country.  Strong candidates 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. Please complete the form in the Applicant 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.

Please provide information on your complete post-secondary academic history, including transcript(s), through the online application.  Submitted documents should meet the following criteria:

• Upload transcripts from all college or university programs attended in which you earned grades and/or academic credits, including undergraduate, transfer, graduate, certificate, study abroad, non-degree, etc.
• Unofficial transcripts are accepted for the review process.  All transcripts uploaded by the applicant are considered unofficial.
• Transcripts must clearly display your full legal name, the name of the college or university attended and the degree program(s).
• Transcripts must show all courses taken, all credits earned, and all grades received.
• Transcripts must be written in English. If the institution does not provide an English translation, please obtain a notarized English translation.
• 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). Do not submit Word documents and HTML documents.
• 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.

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 [email protected]; hard copies can be mailed addressed to Union Theological Seminary Admissions, 3041 Broadway, New York, NY 10027.

Your résumé should summarize your past work experience, extracurricular and/or vocational activities, church or campus ministry activities, teaching experience, and/or publication record. 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 [email protected] 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

Admitted PhD students receive a doctoral fellowship that includes a full tuition fellowship and a $30,000 annual living stipend for four years of study. PhD students may also apply for a fifth year of funding and up to two years of summer funding.

If you would like to be considered for federal student loans, you will be required to file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Please use G02890 as your school code. Please submit your FAFSA on the same day that you submit your application to ensure timely processing of your financial aid award.

Doctor of Ministry in Spirituality, Leadership, and Justice: Applicants are required to hold a four-year bachelor’s degree, as well as a Master of Divinity (MDiv) from an ATS-accredited seminary or its equivalent.

Applicants should also have significant ministry experience, consisting of at least three years of experience in a lay or ordained ministry position or a leadership role within a religious community, faith-based organization, or spiritual life setting.

Those possessing a master’s other than an MDiv (or equivalent) will be considered for admission, assuming they meet the professional experience requirement and demonstrate readiness for doctoral-level theological study in the following areas (assessed through a faculty interview and documented professional experience):

• Interpretation of scripture/sacred text and theological traditions
• Understanding of vocational calling
• Readiness for personal and spiritual formation
• Competency in cultural contextualization

There is a $75 application fee.

Fee waivers are considered on a case by case basis. Please complete the form in the Applicant 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 1,000 words (approximately 4 pages, double-spaced). You need not address these questions in the order listed.

1. 1. Provide a brief autobiography that describes the formation of your spiritual and theological interests, as well as the development and future growth of your work in ministry;
   2. Articulate your current sense of the relationship between spirituality and social justice work. How does said relationship impact your public ministry?
   3. Describe the special area of interest or particular concerns upon which your study would focus;
   4. Explain how your past experience, work in ministry, and professional/vocational training has prepared you to pursue to a Doctor of Ministry at Union.

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.

Please provide information on your complete post-secondary academic history, including transcript(s), through the online application.  Submitted documents should meet the following criteria:

• Upload transcripts from all college or university programs attended in which you earned grades and/or academic credits, including undergraduate, transfer, graduate, certificate, study abroad, non-degree, etc.
• Unofficial transcripts are accepted for the review process.  All transcripts uploaded by the applicant are considered unofficial.
• Transcripts must clearly display your full legal name, the name of the college or university attended and the degree program(s).
• Transcripts must show all courses taken, all credits earned, and all grades received.
• Transcripts must be written in English. If the institution does not provide an English translation, please obtain a notarized English translation.
• 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). Do not submit Word documents and HTML documents.
• 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.

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 [email protected]; hard copies can be mailed addressed to Union Theological Seminary Admissions, 3041 Broadway, New York, NY 10027.

Your résumé should summarize your past work experience, extracurricular and/or vocational activities, church or campus ministry activities, teaching experience, and/or publication record. 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 [email protected] with any questions.

Admitted PhD students receive a doctoral fellowship that includes a full tuition fellowship and a $30,000 annual living stipend for four years of study. PhD students may also apply for a fifth year of funding and up to two years of summer funding.

If you would like to be considered for federal student loans, you will be required to file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Please use G02890 as your school code. Please submit your FAFSA on the same day that you submit your application to ensure timely processing of your financial aid award.

Non-Degree and Advanced Certificate: Applicants must have a four-year bachelor’s 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. Please complete the form in the Applicant 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?

Please provide information on your complete post-secondary academic history,including transcript(s), through the online application.  Submitted documents should meet the following criteria:

• Upload transcripts from all college or university programs attended in which you earned grades and/or academic credits, including undergraduate, transfer, graduate, certificate, study abroad, non-degree, etc.
• Unofficial transcripts are accepted for the review process.  All transcripts uploaded by the applicant are considered unofficial.
• Transcripts must clearly display your full legal name, the name of the college or university attended and the degree program(s).
• Transcripts must show all courses taken, all credits earned, and all grades received.
• Transcripts must be written in English. If the institution does not provide an English translation, please obtain a notarized English translation.
• 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). Do not submit Word documents and HTML documents.
• 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.

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 [email protected]; hard copies can be mailed addressed to Union Theological Seminary Admissions, 3041 Broadway, New York, NY 10027.

Your résumé should summarize your past work experience, extracurricular and/or vocational activities, church or campus ministry activities, teaching experience, and/or publication record. 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 [email protected] 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