Graduate Theological Union

The Graduate Theological Union (GTU) is a nonprofit graduate institution in Berkeley built around a rare idea: students and scholars from different religious traditions share an academic consortium while retaining the identities of its member schools. Its subject matter ranges from Christian theology to Buddhism, Islam, Hinduism, and Judaism. The model is especially useful for students who want rigorous study of religion in dialogue across traditions, rather than training within only one denominational setting. GTU is next to UC Berkeley and has cross-registration and research connections there, but it is a separate institution; its library is not part of UC Berkeley.

Programs and the Berkeley consortium

GTU directly offers a Master of Arts in Religious Studies, a PhD in Theology and Religious Studies, and graduate certificates. The MA is designed for about 1.5 years and can be pursued in person, hybrid, or online; the four-year PhD is an in-person research degree. Certificate areas include Interreligious Chaplaincy and specialized study developed with GTU centers. These options suit different goals: the MA can support further doctoral work, ministry, chaplaincy, or other paths that value advanced religious-studies training, while the PhD is aimed at original scholarship and careers in research, teaching, or academic leadership. Review the current degree and certificate directory before choosing a track, since requirements and delivery modes vary.

GTU’s eight member schools include Berkeley School of Theology, Church Divinity School of the Pacific, Dominican School of Philosophy and Theology, Jesuit School of Theology of Santa Clara University, Institute of Buddhist Studies, Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary, Pacific School of Religion, and San Francisco Theological Seminary. Academic centers and affiliates add focused work in areas such as Islamic, Jewish, Buddhist, and Orthodox studies, arts and religion, and theology and science. This network expands the range of faculty, courses, libraries, and religious perspectives available to students. Cross-registration is subject to approval and course availability; it does not make a GTU student a UC Berkeley degree candidate.

Tuition, scholarships and aid

For 2026–27, listed tuition is $1,148 per credit for the MA and $1,645 per credit for the PhD, with annual full-time estimates of $27,540 and $39,462 respectively. Students who have completed coursework and enter continuing status pay $5,375 per fall or spring semester. Application, graduation, and other charges may apply. These figures are for GTU-enrolled students; students attending a member school should ask that school about its own tuition and aid. Compare the full program plan and living expenses with GTU’s current tuition and fee schedule.

GTU says MA applicants are automatically considered for scholarships, which cover an average of about half of tuition. Top doctoral applicants may receive full-tuition scholarships and an annual living stipend, and all PhD applicants are automatically considered for these merit awards. FAFSA may open eligibility for federal loans, work-study, and institutional aid; the school code is G01207. Priority aid deadlines are April 15 for fall-entry MA students, November 1 for spring-entry MA students, and December 15 for fall-entry PhD students. Funding is competitive and varies by program, so ask the financial-aid office to explain the award conditions and likely net cost. The financial-aid page has program-specific details.

Accreditation status to weigh before enrolling

GTU remains accredited by WSCUC, but its current status is “Accredited with Notice of Concern,” following the commission’s February 2026 action. WSCUC says the institution currently meets its standards but is in danger of falling out of compliance with one or more standards; it continued the notice after a special visit. Applicants should read the commission’s current record and ask GTU how the required follow-up could affect their particular program. Separately, the Association of Theological Schools lists GTU as accredited in good standing for its approved theological degree programs. These are distinct accreditation reviews, so both records matter when comparing programs and planning how credentials may be used.

Campus, application and student perspectives

The main office and library are at 2400 Ridge Road, Berkeley, CA 94709-1212; the general number is (510) 649-2400. Admissions can be reached at (510) 649-2460. In-person admissions meetings are by appointment, and the financial-aid team works remotely; general walk-in hours are not published. Contact staff before traveling, especially because the Admissions Office lists a separate meeting location at 2465 LeConte Avenue. Prospective students can review application steps and apply online, or contact admissions and financial aid with program-specific questions.

Independent student-review material is unusually sparse: Niche currently lists no reviews for GTU. That leaves little basis for a broad claim about satisfaction, advising, workload, or student life. The institution’s interreligious consortium and access to a broad scholarly community are central to its offer, but applicants should test how those advantages work in their intended program. Ask current students about faculty advising, course availability, cross-registration, funding continuity, and the day-to-day experience of a small graduate school.