Seminary Facts
Facts about Pittsburgh Seminary
- Pittsburgh Theological Seminary was founded in 1794.
- It is affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
- The Rev. Dr. Asa Lee is the Seminary's seventh president and professor of theological formation for ministry.
- The Seminary is located on a beautiful 10-acre campus in the East Liberty/Highland Park section of the city of Pittsburgh.
- The Barbour Library is the largest theological library in the three state region, offering more than 300,000 volumes for research and exploration. Additionally, the Library houses the desk at which Karl Barth wrote his theological works and an autographed copy of his Kirchliche Dogmatic I/1.
- Fifteen full-time faculty members provide a low student/faculty ratio.
- Students in the M.Div. and M.A.P.S.programs participate in Field Education in a variety of settings including churches (urban, suburban, and rural), hospitals, and other nonprofits and special agencies.
- Resident students can choose to live in an apartment building or residence hall. Apartments range in size from efficiency to four bedroom.
Degree Programs
- Master of Divinity, including emphases in forming new faith communities, Episcopal/Anglican studies, and urban ministry
- Master of Theological Studies, including emphasis in urban ministry
- Master of Arts in Pastoral Studies, including emphases in Episcopal/Anglican studies and urban ministry
- Joint degrees in social work (University of Pittsburgh) and law (Duquesne University)
- Doctor of Ministry
Certificate Programs
- Graduate Certificate in Adaptive and Innovative Ministry
- Graduate Certificate in Ministry
- Graduate Certificate in Missional Leadership
- Graduate Certificate in Theological Studies
- Graduate Certificate in Urban Ministry
- Certificate in Spiritual Formation (non-credit)
Student Population
- Our current students come from 28 U.S. states and international locations including, Colombia, Ghana, Nigeria, Nicaragua, and Scotland.
- Since 2001 the Seminary's World Mission Initiative has sent 961 individuals on intercultural learning and missional formation trips to 60 countries.
- Students who graduate from Pittsburgh Seminary pursue a wide variety of creative ministries in church, parachurch, and professional settings.
| Composition by Racial Ethnic Background | |
|---|---|
| Caucasian | 71 percent |
| African American | 20 |
| Two or more races | 3 |
| Asian | 2 |
| Hispanic/Latinx | 2 |
| International Students | 2 |
| Composition by Denomination | |
|---|---|
| Presbyterian (U.S.A.) | 39 percent |
| Other | 15 |
| United Methodist | 12 |
| Baptist | 11 |
| Nondenominational | 8 |
| Anglican/Episcopal | 5 |
| Presbyterian (Other) | 5 |
| Orthodox | 3 |
| Lutheran | 2 |
| Composition by Gender | |
|---|---|
| Male | 51 percent |
| Female | 49 |
| Composition by Age | |
|---|---|
| Master's Median Age | 35 |
| D.Min. Median Age | 50 |
| Composition by Hours | |
|---|---|
| Full-time | 78 percent |
| Part-time | 22 |
Preparing with Rich Campus Resources
In addition to course work, students prepare for ministry through the Seminary's resource programs.
Seminary Costs
- Annual full-time master’s tuition in 2022-2023 is $470/credit.
- The Seminary awards financial aid in the forms of merit scholarships, need-based tuition grants, housing grants, and work-support to master’s students.
- Aid is available to both full- and part-time students.
- Students who qualify for aid can also participate in the work-support program and typically receive $12 per hour for up to 10 hours of on-campus work per week.
- Residence hall and apartment living areas are available at the Seminary at rental rates below market value for the area. PTS underwrites the cost of providing food services.
- Students supplement the Seminary-provided funds with income from field work, gifts from home congregations and judicatories, support from parents and others, and student loans.
- Doctor of Ministry tuition is $358/credit.
- Full-time D.Min. students can also qualify for need-based aid.
- Learn more about Financial Aid at PTS.