Graduate Theological Union

History: Established in 1962, the Graduate Theological Union (GTU) in Berkeley, California, is a consortium of eight independent theological schools and eleven centers and affiliates. It was founded to promote ecumenical and interfaith dialogue, fostering collaboration among diverse religious traditions. Over the years, GTU has become a leading center for the graduate study of religion in North America.

Member Schools and Centers: The consortium includes the following member schools:

• Berkeley School of Theology (American Baptist Churches USA)
• Church Divinity School of the Pacific (Episcopal)
• Dominican School of Philosophy and Theology
• Institute of Buddhist Studies
• Jesuit School of Theology of Santa Clara University
• Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary (ELCA)
• Pacific School of Religion (United Church of Christ, Disciples of Christ, and United Methodist Church)
• San Francisco Theological Seminary (Presbyterian Church (USA))

Additionally, GTU hosts various academic centers and affiliates, including the Center for the Arts and Religion, Center for Islamic Studies, Center for Swedenborgian Studies, Center for Theology and the Natural Sciences, and the Richard S. Dinner Center for Jewish Studies.

Academic Programs: GTU offers a range of academic programs designed to prepare students for scholarly and professional roles in religious and theological fields:

• Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.): An advanced research degree with concentrations in areas such as Sacred Texts and Interpretation, Historical and Cultural Studies of Religion, Theology and Ethics, and Religion and Practice.
• Master of Arts (M.A.): Offered in cooperation with member seminaries, this program allows students to focus on specific areas of interest within religious studies.
• Online Master of Arts: A fully online M.A. program designed to engage the world's great religions and wisdom traditions in contemporary contexts.
• Certificates: Non-degree certificates in Interreligious Chaplaincy and Interreligious Studies are available for those seeking specialized training.

Faculty: GTU's faculty comprises scholars from its member schools and centers, bringing diverse religious and academic perspectives. Notable faculty members include:

• Christopher Ocker: Professor of Church History at San Francisco Theological Seminary and affiliate Professor of History at the University of California, Berkeley.
• Ted Peters: Distinguished Research Professor of Systematic Theology at Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary and Affiliate Professor at the Center for Theology and the Natural Sciences.
• Robert John Russell: Ian Barbour Professor of Theology and Science and Director of the Center for Theology and the Natural Sciences.

Location: GTU is situated in Berkeley, California, adjacent to the University of California, Berkeley. The central campus includes the Flora Lamson Hewlett Library, one of the largest theological libraries in the world, housing approximately 529,000 volumes.

Denominational Affiliation: While GTU itself is ecumenical and multireligious, its member schools represent various Christian denominations, including American Baptist, Episcopal, Roman Catholic, Lutheran, and Presbyterian traditions. The consortium also includes centers dedicated to Jewish, Islamic, Buddhist, and Hindu studies, reflecting its commitment to interfaith engagement.

Additional Information: GTU is accredited by the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada. Students have access to courses and resources across the consortium, as well as at the University of California, Berkeley. The institution emphasizes interdisciplinary and interreligious scholarship, preparing students for leadership in diverse religious and academic settings.