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United Lutheran Seminary is accredited by the Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada, and the following degree programs are approved: MDiv, MA in Ministerial Leadership, MA, MA in Public Leadership, STM, DMin and PhD.
10 Summit Park Drive,
Pittsburgh, PA 15275
Tel: 412-788-6505
United Lutheran Seminary is also accredited by The Commission on Higher Education of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (MSCHE) for Pennsylvania.
1007 North Orange Street
4th Floor, MB #166
Wilmington, DE 19801
MSCHE reaffirmed the Accreditation of United Lutheran Seminary in November 2025.
A follow-up monitoring report is due August 1, 2026.
The next Self-Study visit is scheduled for 2028-2029.
United Lutheran Seminary (ULS) seeks to educate and train faithful, capable and creative persons for public leadership in Christ’s church to enable the church to fulfill its mission. Our various degree programs combine high academic standards with practical experience to prepare graduates for both lay and ordained ministries. Although the seminary is a Lutheran seminary, it strives to be ecumenical, multicultural, and hospitable in all aspects of campus life. Our faculty is comprised of professors from various faith traditions, and ULS welcomes students from a wide range of denominational backgrounds.
The following degree programs are approved: MDiv, MA in Ministerial Leadership, MA, MA in Public Leadership, STM, DMin and PhD.
Master of Divinity
This program is designed to meet the demands of public ministry and public leadership for Christian churches. A foundation in Biblical studies, theology, history, pastoral, homiletic, and spiritual formation, is attained through classroom work, and then accompanied by an application of skills and expertise through work with supervisors and ministry professionals in a wide variety of settings in congregations and ministry services. The degree is completed through three years of classroom study and a year under trained supervision in a field placement.
Of the 155 students admitted to the MDiv program from Spring 2020 through Spring 2026, 58 have since graduated and 79 others continue to be engaged in MDiv studies, a retention rate of over 89%. From 2020 through 2026, ULS awarded MDivs to 210 students, at least 185 of whom have found pastoral placements or remained in placements. While many of these students engaged in studies on a part-time basis, those graduating nonetheless completed the degree in an average of just over 4 years.
Master of Arts
This degree program offers both an Academic Track of study, that culminates in a thesis, and a Professional Track with field education (no thesis). Students on both tracks have access to robust academic studies and professional formation pertinent to their vocational goals, which may range from research, writing and teaching, to service in social ministry organizations, congregations, and ELCA Deacon Ministry.
Master of Arts– Academic Track
This degree path gives students a deep dive into an area of theological interest while also providing a broad foundation for further graduate study or other personal vocational goals. It requires the equivalent of two years of full-time study. Of the 67 students admitted from Spring 2020 through Spring 2026, 33 earned degrees, while 13 are still in their programs, a retention rate of 80%. Students completed the program on an average of under 4.5 years. In Fall Semester 2025, when the Master of Arts degree became available in two tracks, four students previously admitted to the Master of Arts-Academic Track moved to the Master of Arts-Professional Track.
Master of Arts – Professional Track
This degree path is normally a two-year program when taken full-time. There are three specializations:
· Deacon Ministry: This specialization prepares for Diaconal Ministry in the ELCA, which requires Entrance to the candidacy process from an ELCA Synod. In addition to academic credits, it requires Clinical Pastoral Education, Ministerial Field Work, and Ministerial Immersion, in keeping with ELCA requirements for Deacon Ministry. The first graduate from this specialization completed the degree in 2026. Of two students admitted to the program in Fall 2025, one student remained in the program.
Of 15 students admitted to the former MAML (the predecessor to the MA-Academic Track) from Spring 2020 through Spring 2026, 14 earned their degrees, while one is still in their program—a retention rate of 98%. All the graduates found placements in keeping with their vocational goals. Completion of the degree was on an average of 4 years. One student remains in the MAML program after May 2026.
· Congregational Leadership: This program will prepare students for congregational leadership and service in the church. In addition to academic credits, it requires Clinical Pastoral Education and Ministerial Immersion. One student entered this program in Fall 2025.
· Public Leadership: This specialization provides theological and practical training for leadership in faith-based non-profit organizations. In addition to academic credits, it requires public leadership fieldwork. Three students entered this program in Fall 2025, and three students chose to move from the former MAPL degree program into the Master of Arts-Professional Track with the Public Leadership Specialization.
Master of Sacred Theology
This degree program offers an opportunity for advanced theological inquiry for those who have completed a first theological degree. The program promotes deeper theological investigation and specialization in service of the church and the world. The program promotes critical, and constructive engagement with theological traditions while attending to diverse disciplinary and cultural perspectives and development for research and application for public leadership and academic integrity. The degree may be completed within one year if pursued full-time. From Spring 2020 through Spring 2026, 33 students were admitted to the STM program, with 7 earning the degree and 10 others remaining in the program, a retention rate of 58%. From 2020 through 2026 the degree was awarded to 9 students, many in full-time ministry, who completed the program in an average of 6 years.
Doctor of Ministry
This degree program is designed to enhance the practice of ministry for those who have been serving in ordained ministry for at least three years. This degree offers church leaders within ministry contexts the opportunity for deeper reflection academically and pastorally on their vocation and ministry, toward transformative praxis for culturally competent public leadership. The program promotes the integration theological concepts and critical thinking for the practice of ministry, cultural competency for responding to ministry issues, and personal and spiritual maturity. From Spring 2020 through Spring 2026, 137 students were admitted to the DMin program, 31 of whom have earned their degrees, while 67 more remain in the program, a retention rate of 80%. From 2020 through 2026 the degree was awarded to 64 students, most of them full-time pastors, who completed the program in an average of 5.5 years.
Doctor of Philosophy
The ULS Ph.D. in Public Theology and Public Witness prepares persons in a distinctive way for teaching, research, the scholarly enhancement of ministerial practice and spiritually engaged public leadership. Students complete four "Seminars in PublicTheology," in addition to more specialized courses, work in one of three areas of specialization, complete three comprehensive exams (one in PublicTheology) and a dissertation. ULS admitted three students to the program in 2024, all of whom have now successfully completed course work. Four new students were admitted in 2025, and five will join the program in 2026. All admitted students remain in the program, with a retention rate of 100%.
