The Graduate Theological Union educates innovative leaders for the academy, religious organizations, and the nonprofit sector, equipping scholars to embody the critical thinking, ethical frameworks, compassionate values, and spiritual foundations essential to building a more just, peaceful, and sustainable world.
With a focus on interreligious and interdisciplinary perspectives, GTU students & faculty engage the world’s great religions and wisdom traditions in contemporary contexts. The GTU offers academic PhD and MA degrees and certificate programs with over 30 concentrations of focus that allow for diverse educational interests and vocational goals; in addition, students have the opportunity to tailor their program in consultation with their advisor.
Students can focus their studies within a single tradition—including Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Islamic, Jain, Jewish, Wiccan, neo-pagan, and more—or explore interreligious themes. The GTU also offers unique opportunities for groundbreaking interdisciplinary scholarship, bringing religion into dialogue with disciplines like the arts and sciences.
Discover Our Degree Programs
PhD Program
This advanced academic degree builds on the ecumenical, interreligious, and interdisciplinary strengths of the GTU, and offers enhanced opportunities for both specialization and cross-disciplinary study. Students have access to courses across the union of schools, including UC Berkeley. Our students are trained for professional careers in teaching, writing, and scholarship, as well as leadership opportunities with religious organizations, social service agencies, foundations, museums, libraries, publishing, and in educational institutions.
MA Program
This academic degree is offered in cooperation with the member schools and centers of the GTU. The program provides ecumenical and interreligious learning opportunities, and students have access to courses offered throughout the union, and many courses at UC Berkeley. The 2-year program provides a basic understanding of theological or religious studies as preparation for doctoral study or as an academic foundation or secondary school teaching, educational or social justice ministries, or religious leadership in the nonprofit sector.
Certificates & More
Prospective degree students or community members who want to begin coursework may apply to take a single class as a Special Student or 6-8 classes for a specialized Certificate in a particular discipline. Community Education courses are offered at a discounted rate for those who wish to take a course for non-academic credit.