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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
United Lutheran Seminary is an accredited institution and a member of the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE or the Commission) www.msche.org.United Lutheran Seminary accreditation status is a Non-Compliance Warning. The Commission’s most recent action on the institution’s accreditation status on November 21, 2024 was to warn the institution regarding compliance to Standard V (Educational Effectiveness Assessment). MSCHE is recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education to conduct accreditation and pre-accreditation Non-Compliance Warning activities for institutions of higher education including distance, correspondence education, and direct assessment programs offered at those institutions. The Commission’s geographic area of accrediting activities is throughout the United States.
United Lutheran Seminary continues under the charter of the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg (Gettysburg Seminary). ULS Seminary has now received re-accreditation with the next accreditation cycle to take place in 2028.
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 prepares persons for service in a variety of pastoral settings as ordained pastors or for service in similar leadership positions. The program provides the necessary tools and resources for the spiritual, vocational, professional, and theological requirements of pastoral leadership. The degree normally requires the equivalent of three years of full-time classroom study and the equivalent of a year of full-time field placement.
Of the 242 students admitted to the MDiv program from Fall 2017 through Spring 2023, 110 have since graduated and 86 others continue to be engaged in MDiv studies, a retention rate of over 80%. From 2018 through 2022, ULS awarded MDivs to 189 students, at least 167 of whom have found pastoral placements. While many of these students engaged studies on a part-time basis, those graduating nonetheless completed the degree in an average of just over 4 years.
Master of Arts in Ministerial Leadership
This degree program prepares persons for leadership service in the church and requires two years of full-time study. Of the 19 students admitted from Fall 2017 through Spring 2023, 4 have earned their degrees, while 9 are still in their programs, a retention rate of 68%. From 2018 to 2022 the degree was awarded to 11 students, at least 8 of whom are known to have found placements in keeping with their vocational goals. The degree was completed in an average of 4 years.
Master of Arts
This degree program provides students the opportunity to pursue a specialization in an area of theological interest while also providing a broad foundation for further graduate study, general educational background, or to pursue personal vocational goals. It requires the equivalent of two years of full-time study. Of the 44 students admitted from Fall 2017 through Spring 2023, 11 have already earned degrees, while 26 are still in their programs, a retention rate of over 90%. The MA was awarded to 19 students between 2018 and 2023. Students completed the program in an average of under 4.5 years.
Master of Arts in Public Leadership
This program enables students to enhance their competencies to serve in faith-based public service agencies through a two-year program of coursework and field work at a faith-based institution. Nine students were admitted to the MAPL program from Fall 2017 through Spring 2023, with 3 completing the degree and 4 others continuing in the program, a retention rate of nearly 80%. From 2018 to 2022, the degree was awarded to 3 students, at least 2 of whom are known to have found positions in keeping with their goals. These students completed their programs in an average of 2.75 years.
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 enhanced understanding in a particular theological discipline, increases knowledge and competency for ministry in all of its variety, and provides a foundation for further advanced study. Normally undertaken part-time, the degree may be completed within one year if pursued full-time. From Fall 2017 through Spring 2023, 34 students were admitted to the STM program, with 4 earning the degree and 19 others remaining in the program, a retention rate of 68%. From 2018 through 2023 the degree was awarded to 10 students, many in full-time ministry, who completed the program in an average of less than 5.5 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. Students establish individualized learning goals and devote intensive study to some task or issue in the practice of ministry. From Fall 2017 through Spring 2023, 88 students were admitted to the DMin program, 16 of whom have earned their degrees, while 66 more remain in the program, a retention rate of 95%. From 2018 through 2023 the degree was awarded to 32 students, most of them full-time pastors, who completed the program in an average of 5.5 years.
Doctor of Philosophy
This degree program equips persons for vocations of teaching and research and for the scholarly enhancement of ministerial practice. Students select major and minor fields of study as the focus of course work and the dissertation. The program is not currently accepting new students. However, from the inception of the program in 2005 through 2017, 34 students were admitted into the program. Degrees have been awarded to 27 students, who completed the program in an average of 6.5 years. At least 13 of our graduates have found faculty appointments or regular teaching positions, while most others are actively engaged as adjuncts or doing enhanced parish ministry.
