Applications for Spring 2026 are now open, and Fall 2026 applications will open on August 11th.
Application Deadlines & Instructions
We review applications as they are received so we encourage applicants to submit as early as possible.
Spring 2025 Deadline November 1st 2024
Fall 2025 International Student Deadline May 1st 2025
Fall 2025 Final Deadline July 1st 2025
Contact the GTU Admissions Office for more information.
Quick M.A. Application Checklist
- Select Concentration of Study
- Complete and Sign Application Form
- Submit Supporting Documents:
- Statement of Purpose (300-500 words). Click here for a video by GTU Admissions Associate Kelly Colwell on tips for crafting an outstanding Statement of Purpose.
- Official TOEFL or IELTS Scores
- Official Transcripts from all previous college-level institutions
- Three Academic Letters of Recommendation
- Pay Application Fee
- Apply for GTU Financial Aid by the May 1, 2025 deadline
Please note that as of December 2022, the GRE is no longer a required application material. The Admissions Committee will not include GRE scores in the review process, even if an applicant supplies them.
Components of the GTU M.A. Application
You can apply online. Make sure to indicate your proposed concentration of study. Provide accurate contact information and include details on any prior language study and research and writing experience. You may attach a resume on a separate page if you like.
The statement of purpose is not a personal biography, but a statement of goals that explains your academic study interests, and outlines the reasons the GTU, its faculty, and the school of affiliation are an appropriate place for the proposed program of study. This statement should be approximately 300-500 words.
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. The form is available for download here. If you do not use the online system, we suggest that your recommenders seal the letter in an envelope and sign across the seal, return it to you to send with your application materials, or if they prefer, they may send the letter directly to the GTU via email or hard copy. Inform them of the application deadline and provide them with the recommendation form that can be sent through email: admissions@gtu.edu or mail in a stamped envelope addressed to:
Graduate Theological Union
Office of Admissions
2400 Ridge Road,
Berkeley, CA 94709
Applicants to the GTU MA program must have completed a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution by the time they intend to enroll in the program.
Applicants are expected to have a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 (on a scale of 4.0) for the bachelor’s degree. Transcripts should show a range of undergraduate courses which demonstrate solid preparation in the humanities and some knowledge of religion.
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 must demonstrate conferral of degree. An applicant should also list all post-secondary schools attended, with the most recent listed first.
Official transcripts are sealed, unopened documents issued by the institution which bear the actual signature of the registrar and the seal of the institution. Institutions can also send official transcripts directly to the GTU's Admissions Office through email: admissions@gtu.edu or mail in a stamped envelope addressed to:
Graduate Theological Union
Office of Admissions
2400 Ridge Road,
Berkeley, CA 94709
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
Online applicants will pay the $40 application fee when submitting the application.