Application Deadline
Applications and supporting documents must be submitted by the deadline. All applicants are automatically considered for a full-tuition scholarship and generous living stipend during their four years in the doctoral program.
- Priority deadline: December 1, 2024
- Final deadline: December 15, 2024
In addition to the Online Admissions Application, applicants are required to submit the following:
- Personal statement
- Research Proposal
- Writing sample, relevant to the research you would like to pursue
- 1 relevant language requirement completed by the time of enrollment
- 3 letters of recommendation
- Official transcripts from all previous college-level work
- TOEFL/IELTS scores for international applications
Instructions for Completing the GTU PhD Application
Degree requirements for admission:
- BA or BS degree from an accredited institution
- MDiv or MA degree in Theology, Religion, or a closely related field from an accredited institution
All GTU doctoral applicants must apply with a Research Collaborative. Your proposed field of study must align with the topic of your chosen research collaborative. A critical factor for the faculty making the admissions decision is the fit between the applicant and the research collaborative to which they are applying.
An applicant should also identify faculty within the research collaborative that closely connect with the applicant's interest. It is highly recommended that each applicant makes contact with faculty members who align with their proposed research.
In 250 words or less, please explain...
- How your previous study has led you to the research you are proposing
- How your previous study has prepared you for this research
- Why you wish to pursue your research at the GTU
The proposal should be clearly written and structured in exactly this manner.
- Research Collaborative: name the research collaborative within which you wish to pursue this study.
- Field of Study: name the principal field of study with whose methodology, questions, and goals you most directly wish to identify. The field of study should correspond to a field of study indicated for the research collaborative.
- Research topic: In 150 words or less, name the topic you wish to research and succinctly define the topic in 150 words or less.
- Research Context: In 250 words or less, describe the relationship of your proposed research to the driving question of the Research Collaborative and to other relevant work in the field of study.
- Contribution: In 500 words or less, describe why the field of study you have named needs the research you are proposing.
- Methodology: In 250 words or less, describe the methods and the methodology you intend to apply in your study. Methods refers to what exactly you will do to achieve an understanding of, or solution to, your topic or problem. Methodology refers to the reason these methods constitute an effective strategy, that is, why you believe these methods are best suited to your research topic.
- Faculty: In 200 words or less, explain why and how your research complements the interests and expertise of your potential advisor. Indicate whether you have discussed this proposal with the potential advisor.
The academic writing sample should be a maximum of 20 pages, including a bibliography.
Ensure the sample is as close to 20 pages as possible, without exceeding that limit. The writing sample may be an essay written for the application, a paper submitted during coursework, or an excerpt from a paper or thesis. It should include footnotes or endnotes as well as a bibliography. Please do not submit an entire thesis. We will not include more than 20 pages in your application.
The writing sample must be:
- Individually authored (not co-authored or written by AI or with AI assistance)
- Represent one’s best work
- Demonstrate knowledge and research skills that are relevant to the research focus of the application
Students admitted are expected to have at least 1 relevant modern language requirement completed at the time of enrollment. If indicated by a Research Collaborative's requirements, then applicants should have at least 1 ancient or medieval language at the time of enrollment.
Students may be admitted without this requirement but must prove completion of the requirement before enrollment. Languange requirements can be fulfilled via coursework or exam.
Three letters of recommendation are required.
Choose people who can speak knowledgeably and articulately about your academic and intellectual potential and will write specific letters. Academic references are different from general character references. Letters are requested by the applicant and submitted by the recommender via the online application system.
Note: Once the application has been submitted, the online application system will send an email to the recommenders listed by the applicant asking them to submit a letter of recommendation.
The applicant can also download the recommendation form (PDF updated December 8, 2020) and email it to the recommender to submit to the GTU by email (admissions@gtu.edu).
PhD applicants must submit official transcripts of all college-level work.
If an applicant is currently enrolled in a program, an in-progress transcript showing work to-date needs to be submitted. Upon admittance, final transcripts demonstrating the conferral of degree need to be submitted before enrollment in the doctoral program. An applicant should also list all post-secondary schools attended, with the most recent listed first.
Institutions can send official digital transcripts directly to the GTU's Admissions Office at admissions@gtu.edu or mail to:
Graduate Theological Union, Admissions Office
2400 Ridge Road
Berkeley, CA 94709
Note: unofficial, opened, or self-scanned transcripts may be used as "placeholders" to populate an application but must be replaced with official transcripts before a file is considered complete. We strongly encourage students to order transcripts well in advance of the application deadline.
International applicants from a country where English is not the official language must submit scores from the TOEFL or IELTS examination. Applicants are expected to have a TOEFL score of at least 80 (internet-based) or 550 (paper-based) from an exam taken within the last two years. For registration information visit www.toefl.org.
Applicants are expected to have a IELTS minimum score of at least 7.0. For registration information visit www.ielts.org.
Ph.D. applicants should submit a non-refundable fee:
- $135 for domestic students
- $155 for international students
Most applicants will submit this fee through the online applicant system, unless a credit card payment is not available to the applicant, in which case he or she may submit a check or money order.
If an applicant submits a check or money order, the name must be imprinted or written legibly on the front of the checks. We do not accept cash payments.
We offer application fee waivers for current GTU students or GTU graduates applying to the doctoral program. When prepared to submit your application, simply write to admissions@gtu.edu and request your fee waiver.
In some extenuating circumstances we offer fee waivers to non-GTU applicants as well. Contact the Admissions Office for more information.
- Submit official records from each academic institution attended after secondary school. Official records are original documents issued by the institution which bear the actual signature of the registrar and the seal of the issuing institution. Photocopies are acceptable only if 1) each copy is signed by an academic official who certifies that it is an exact copy of the original document; and 2) it bears the seal and title of the authorizing official. Photocopies of the official’s signature, stamp, or seal are not acceptable. Note: Specialized diplomas or certificate programs recognized by governments abroad may not necessarily be recognized as equivalent to the requirements for an academic bachelor’s degree. If your academic records do not include conferral date and official evidence of the award of your degree, you must also submit additional documents that verify the degree conferral.
- Submit official academic records in the original language, accompanied by English translations. Specially prepared English versions are not acceptable in place of documents issued in the original language. Academic records must show the dates of your enrollment, all subjects or courses, units, credits or hours, and grades in each subject. All records must include a complete description of institutional grading scales or other standards of evaluation with maximum grades and minimum marks indicated. Submit official evidence of the conferral of all degrees, diplomas, or professional titles and the date (month and year) of the formal conferral. These certificates should indicate the exact name of the degree, diploma, or title as it is known in the country of origin and not in American terms.
- Admitted students who plan to enroll should complete a Certification of Financial Resources form for the GTU to review for consideration for the issuance of an I-20. Students at the GTU qualify for the F-1 visa.
Applying as a GTU current student or GTU graduate?
We offer application fee waivers for current GTU students or GTU graduates applying to the doctoral program. When prepared to submit your application simply write to Admissions@gtu.edu and request your fee waiver.
In some extenuating circumstances we offer fee waivers to non-GTU applicants as well. Contact the Admissions Office for more information.