Pittsburgh Theological Seminary Viewbook

Pittsburgh Theological Seminary

PREPARING FOR MINISTRY IN THE WAY OF JESUS

We welcome neighbors; share meals, differences, and experiences; expand our minds; and expect to be challenged by the broad range of beliefs we bring to the table.

PREPARING FOR MINISTRY IN THE WAY OF JESUS

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ITTSBURGH THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY has been preparing students for ministry in the way of Jesus for more than 200 years. We welcome neighbors; share meals, differences, and experiences; expand our minds; and expect to be challenged by the broad range of beliefs we bring to the table.

Participating in God’s ongoing mission in the world, Pittsburgh Seminary is a community of Christ joining in the Spirit’s work of forming and equipping people for ministries familiar and yet to unfold and communities present and yet to be gathered.

Trusting in God’s promises, we seek to be a generous and hospitable community, committed to scholarship in the service of the church and inviting

one another into life-giving and transformational practices as we seek to participate fully in God’s work in the world.

Our graduates go on to serve God as pastors, counselors, and chaplains. Others become mission workers, community organizers, church educators, professors, or lawyers. Still others are serving in coffeehouse, gardening, and house-building ministries. Some alums serve Christ and communities creatively by planting new churches, and others serve in established congregations. The Seminary’s most notable alumnus, Fred Rogers, of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, led the way for future students to pursue creative ministries for God’s glory.

MASTER OF DIVINITY (M.DIV.)

A professional program preparing students for ministry and pastoral leadership, the Master of Divinity program integrates classical theological disciplines and the missional nature of ministry. The M.Div. can be completed in three years as a full-time student. Throughout the program, historical and contemporary contexts contribute to theological reflection. Through Field Education placements and a required cross-cultural experience, students practice ministry in congregations and other settings.

The M.Div. program also provides venues and tools for vocational discernment and formation in the Christian tradition.

EMPHASIS IN FORMING NEW FAITH COMMUNITIES

The Master of Divinity with Emphasis in Forming New Faith Communities equips students through specialized internships emphasizing observation of, participation in, and cultivation of new worshiping communities. Students follow the basic M.Div. curriculum with these additions: a course in church planting; electives in evangelism, gospel and culture, church leadership and ministry; and an overseas trip in which the student interacts with church planters in another region of the world. The M.Div. with Emphasis in Forming New Faith Communities takes four years to complete.

MASTER OF ARTS IN PASTORAL STUDIES (MAPS)

The Master of Arts in Pastoral Studies (MAPS) is a graduate-level two-year degree program that equips students for leadership in congregational ministry and other settings. The program provides grounding in core disciplines and the opportunity for students to select from a variety of ministerial electives to suit their interests and vocational needs. To complete the program, each student produces a final project related to their ministerial context and one year of Field Education.

MASTER OF THEOLOGICAL STUDIES (MTS)

With flexibility to tailor the course of study, the Master of Theological Studies (MTS) degree program provides a focused understanding of one or more theological disciplines for further graduate study or for other educational goals. At the end of the two-year program, each student completes a final project that explores more deeply a chosen area of concentration.

MASTER’S JOINT DEGREE PROGRAMS

The Seminary offers several joint degree programs in cooperation with world-renowned local universities, including:

• Master of Divinity/Master of Social Work (M.Div./M.S.W.) with the University of Pittsburgh (four years)

• Master of Divinity/Juris Doctor (M.Div./JD) (five years) and Master of Theological Studies/Juris Doctor (MTS/JD) (four years) with Duquesne University

PREPARING THROUGH REIMAGINED DEGREES CERTIFICATES

ROOTED IN THE Reformed tradition and committed learning and serving with Christ-followers viewpoints, Pittsburgh Theological Seminary day and evening, full- and part-time classes. rigor and practical ministry training. The Seminary’s are accredited by The Association of Theological Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools.

PREPARING THROUGH REIMAGINED DEGREES AND CERTIFICATES

committed to relationships of mutual Christ-followers from other traditions and theological Seminary prepares students for ministry through classes. PTS is well known for its academic Seminary’s degree and certificate programs Theological Schools and the Middle States Schools.

DOCTOR OF MINISTRY (D.MIN.)

The Doctor of Ministry degree is an advanced professional doctorate that builds upon an accredited master’s degree in an area related to the student’s ministry area or calling and upon significant ministry experience. At the end of their course work, students design and implement a project that engages their ministry context in conversation with their work in the classroom. Students typically complete the program in three to four years.

GRADUATE CERTIFICATE IN ADAPTIVE AND INNOVATIVE MINISTRY

Accompanied by a cohort learning community and coached by experienced missional leaders, students in the Graduate Certificate in Adaptive and Innovative Ministry program learn from academics and practitioners alike. Through four hybrid courses, concurrent fieldwork, a coaching relationship, and an integrative capstone project, students complete 18 hours of coursework. Intensives take place over 15 months, including students’ completion and presentation of final capstone projects. Our hybrid online and intensive classes allow leaders to set apart time to grow in missional and intellectual formation while staying rooted in their context.

GRADUATE CERTIFICATE IN MINISTRY

Students enrolled in the Graduate Certificate in Ministry program receive a foundational understanding of ministry that will equip them for broad service to the church. Requirements include theology, Bible, and two courses in preaching and communications, introduction to caring ministry, or other ministry studies courses. The certificate can be completed in one year by taking two classes per semester.

GRADUATE CERTIFICATE IN MISSIONAL LEADERSHIP

To prepare missional leaders for congregational or other ministries, PTS offers the Graduate Certificate in Missional Leadership. Students study church history, Bible, contextual analysis, and missional leadership. The certificate can be completed in one year by taking two classes per semester.

GRADUATE CERTIFICATE IN THEOLOGICAL STUDIES

The Graduate Certificate in Theological Studies provides students with a general introduction to theological inquiry. Students take four required courses—church history, theology, Bible, and an elective. The certificate can be completed in one year by taking two classes per semester.

GRADUATE CERTIFICATE IN URBAN MINISTRY

The Seminary grants the Graduate Certificate in Urban Ministry to students who fulfill the requirements specific to this program of study. These requirements foster thinking about ways to apply one’s faith in the world. The Certificate may be completed as a stand-alone program in one year or combined with a master’s degree.

PREPARING AT PITTSBURGH THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY

ADMISSIONS PROCESS

MASTER’S DEGREES AND GRADUATE CERTIFICATES

DOCTOR OF MINISTRY

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PPLICANTS ARE REQUIRED to submit transcripts, a personal statement, an analytical essay, letters of reference (one of which must be a church endorsement if applying to the M.Div.), a background check, and to have an interview with a member of the admissions staff. Applications are accepted online at www.pts.edu/How_to_Apply

A

MASTER’S DEGREE related to the student’s ministry area or calling is required for admission to the Doctor of Ministry program, along with a GPA of 3.0 or higher. Applicants complete short answer questions and must supply transcripts, letters of reference, a writing sample, a background check, a statement that they plan to remain in a ministry setting for the duration of the program, and a statement from their employer and/ or ministry setting that they are aware that the applicant is undertaking this work. Applications are accepted online at www.pts.edu/How_to_Apply

VISIT CAMPUS

AT PITTSBURGH THEOLOGICAL Seminary we know that a visit to campus is very important in your decision-making process; therefore, we welcome you to campus! See the Seminary and city, hear from faculty, meet with admissions and financial aid staff, and share in fellowship with current students.

Please contact the Admissions Office to arrange for such a visit—in person or virtually.

admissions@pts.edu 1-800-451-4194 www.pts.edu/Visit_PTS

Trusting in God’s promises, we seek to be a generous and hospitable community, committed to scholarship in the service of the church.

FINANCIAL AID

PITTSBURGH THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY is committed to providing generous support to students who qualify for financial assistance. The Seminary awards more than $1 million annually in merit scholarships, need-based tuition grants, housing grants, and work-support to full- and halftime master’s and certificate students. Currently, 83 percent of master’s and certificate students receive aid.

In the 2020-2021 academic year, the average need-based package was $11,414 for full-time master’s students. Merit scholarships range from $600-$25,000 with an average

award of $8,773 in 2020-2021. Note that the FAFSA is not required to receive financial aid; simply complete the PTS aid application.

Doctor of Ministry students are also eligible for merit and need-based tuition aid. Additionally, the Seminary recognizes current master’s students with monetary prizes for academic and community accomplishments.

The Merit Scholarship program is one way Pittsburgh Theological Seminary encourages the enrollment of students of high academic ability in our master’s programs. Merit scholars must have a strong academic record and demonstrate potential for outstanding Christian leadership. These scholarships are awarded without consideration of financial need and are renewable. Applicants may qualify for both merit and need-based aid.

When master’s students have exhausted all possibilities for other forms of financial aid and still need funds, loans are available through the Federal Direct Loan Program, the Federal Graduate PLUS Program, some denominational agencies, and other sources.

Seminarians join in prayer after volunteering with Open Hand Ministries to rehab a house in the neighborhood.

PREPARING WITH SCHOLARS IN SERVICE TO THE CHURCH AND ACADEMY

FACULTY MENTORS

A low student-to-faculty ratio encourages interaction and facilitates mentoring relationships in our community of scholars.

THE FACULTY—THE heart of the educational experience at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary—further our tradition of academic excellence through teaching, research, publication, and service to the church. They represent six Christian traditions, and most of them are ordained or have served as pastors. A low student-to-faculty ratio encourages interaction and facilitates mentoring relationships in our community of scholars.

Devoted to preparing students for a wide variety of Christian ministries, our faculty members bear witness to the gospel throughout their professional and personal lives. They are regular contributors to scholarly knowledge through their publications and participation in learned societies on six continents. They frequently preach and teach in congregations and universities locally, nationally, and internationally. In these ways, the faculty at Pittsburgh Seminary enrich the learning of all our students both on and off our campus.

To hear faculty members further discuss their fields of expertise and how Pittsburgh Theological Seminary helps students discern their calls, visit www.pts.edu/Faculty

PREPARING THROUGH RICH CAMPUS RESOURCES

CENTER FOR WRITING AND LEARNING SUPPORT

The Center for Writing and Learning Support offers a number of services for students, faculty, ministers, and community leaders. For students, these services include individual and small-group consultations both online and in person; writing workshops about general writing issues or those particular to a specific class assignment; handouts on aspects of the writing process; links to helpful websites and bibliographic resources; bi-monthly Writers’ Gatherings, and much more.

THE CLIFFORD E. BARBOUR LIBRARY

The Library, fully renovated in 2018, is a beautiful place for research, collaboration, and connecting with others. While the library houses an extensive collection of print books and journals, it also provides access to several thousand ebooks and a number of other online resources. Special collections include rare theological works dating from the Reformation, thousands of valuable hymnals and songbooks, two incunabula, and the desk at which Karl Barth wrote many of his theological works. The Fred Rogers Family Room, with its Neighborhood-like feel, furnishings, and outfitting, welcomes students and their families to explore reading and play that inspire loving our neighbors, welcoming strangers, and seeing every person as a child of God. Library users enjoy a rich variety of meeting, lounge, and research spaces, including a 24/7 area with after-hours access, a café, group study rooms, and a reference room for quiet study. A professional library staff is available for research assistance, library instruction, and interlibrary loan services.

CONTINUING EDUCATION

The Continuing Education program offers annual events, lectures, and workshops, many of which are conducted by leading scholars of theology and religion from around the world. Most of these events are offered at no cost to students. Designed for both lay and clergy, programs offer enrichment in pastoral care, theology, spirituality, Christian education, and church leadership. Students may also earn a certificate in spiritual formation to deepen their spiritual life and assist others along their spiritual journey.

CENTER FOR ADAPTIVE AND INNOVATIVE MINISTRY

The Center for Adaptive and Innovative Ministry forms and supports leaders who participate in God’s work of cultivating new and renewing Christian communities in their contexts. AIM facilitates the Master of Divinity with Emphasis in Forming New Faith Communities program, offers the Graduate Certificate in Adaptive and Innovative Minstry, and serves as a resource for faith communities and leaders through training programs, continuing education events, written resources, and active participation in the broader ecosystem of innovative church praxis.

FIELD EDUCATION

Field Education at Pittsburgh Seminary provides an opportunity for students to learn about the practice of ministry through direct involvement in the life of congregations and in other settings. Not far from campus, students can serve as pastors in inner-city, suburban, smalltown, rural, traditional, and emergent churches; as chaplains in hospitals, hospices, and penal institutions; as campus ministers at some of the 10 area colleges, universities, and graduate schools; and in many forms of social outreach.

While the degree programs are the cornerstone of who we are and what we do, auxiliary educational programs and opportunities allow students to extend their preparation for ministry.

960 intercultural trip participants since 2001

HOUSES OF STUDY

Students can engage more deeply with their own faith traditions while also relating to other ecclesial families in the Seminary’s Houses of Study, which currently include Presbyterian, Anglican/Episcopalian, and Ecumenical. The Houses provide specific learning environments where students can deepen their capacity to reflect theologically upon their denominational traditions and further develop their sense of vocation.

KELSO MUSEUM OF NEAR EASTERN ARCHAEOLOGY

The Kelso Museum has its roots in a PTS program of archaeological fieldwork in the Near East that began in 1924 and continues today through The Zeitah Excavations. The Museum is a living laboratory that holds a significant collection of artifacts ranging in date from 4,000 BCE to 1,000 CE, and geographically from the Judean foothills to the Dead Sea Plain and on to the border of the Syrian Desert. Seminary students have on-campus access to this material and its supporting archives as resources for biblical study, teaching, and ministry.

METRO-URBAN INSTITUTE

The Metro-Urban Institute is an urban theological program focusing on the theory and practice of collaborative community ministry. Through its Graduate Certificate in Urban Ministry and through community-based immersions and research (which in each instance may apply toward master’s degree credit), MUI facilitates multiple opportunities for learning and engagement within urban social and religious environments.

MILLER SUMMER YOUTH INSTITUTE

The goal of the Miller Summer Youth Institute is to provide high schoolers, college students, and adults the opportunity to explore who God is calling them to be and what God is calling them to do. This exploration is done through a unique curriculum of theological training and vocational discernment designed to allow all participants to ask questions of themselves and of God in a supportive environment.

WORLD MISSION INITIATIVE

Through the World Mission Initiative, students participate in intercultural learning trips during the January and Summer terms to learn from and with the global church about how it responds to different issues and apply that knowledge in their own contexts. Additionally, WMI hosts a biennial conference, as well as special lectures and programs throughout the academic year that serve both the Seminary community and churches in the region.

The communion we experience at the Lord’s Table in chapel overflows into the classrooms, cafeteria, and living spaces.

PREPARING IN COMMUNITY WITH OTHERS

OUR SEMINARY STUDENTS come from numerous states, several countries, and various Christian denominations. While the Seminary is affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), our student community is comprised of Presbyterians, Baptists, Methodists, Lutherans, Orthodox, independents, and a variety of other denominations. We draw on the best of our tradition and learn from others as the Spirit shapes and reshapes our common life and work in order to become a leading resource for theologically reflective and contextually engaged ministries.

Worship is an integral part of the life of Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. In addition to midday and evening worship services, a number of prayer and Bible study groups meet regularly. The vibrancy of our community worship complements the excellence of our academic program.

All master’s-level students are members of the Student Association, which conducts student social and extracurricular activities. A number of student organizations enrich student life, including Sports and Recreation, Women’s Caucus, Rainbow Covenant, Seminarians United for Racial Justice, Syngenia, and several denominational fellowships.

Athletic and recreational activities supplement an on-campus fitness center for workouts and exercise. The Seminary’s sports court provides opportunities for tennis matches or a pick-up game of basketball. Highland Park, within walking and biking distance, offers trails, open fields, and playgrounds. Each year PTS also participates in the Ultimate Frisbee tournament with other Presbyterian seminaries.

Worship, fellowship, and play—common life—are important parts of the educational experience at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. This life, shared together, lays the foundation for lasting friendships, which in turn build bridges of collegiality and mutual support among pastors and church leaders.

PREPARING ON CAMPUS AMID HISTORIC HOMES AND URBAN RENEWAL

THE SEMINARY IS situated in a tranquil urban setting on 10 acres of beautiful, tree-filled grounds. The campus is located between the neighborhood community of Highland Park and the busy commercial center of East Liberty, now undergoing significant renewal.

Long Hall is the focal point of the campus. It houses offices, classrooms, community spaces, and the Kelso Museum of Near Eastern Archaeology.

Kadel Dining Room provides meal service for the Seminary community. Theological discussions regularly take place around the tables as students and faculty gather for meals, made from locally grown ingredients, and cups of fair-trade coffee.

With its high steeple, visible from throughout the campus, Hicks Chapel serves as a gathering place for the PTS and broader community to worship God during weekly services. These services provide our community with opportunities

to participate in various styles of worship based on diverse Christian traditions and in church observances from different parts of the world.

The Clifford E. Barbour Library, fully renovated in 2018, is a beautiful place for research, collaboration, and connecting with others. While the library houses an extensive collection of print books and journals, it also provides access to several thousand ebooks and a number of other online resources.

The Seminary has apartments and a residence hall on campus, all of which include free parking and laundry facilities plus wifi. The Calian Residence Hall offers communal living quarters with effeciency units. A fitness center, lounge spaces, and student kitchen are also available there. We also offer apartments ranging from efficiencies to family-oriented three- and four-bedroom units. Pets are welcome in select buildings.

The campus is located between the neighborhood community of Highland Park and the busy commercial center of East Liberty, now undergoing significant renewal.

THE NUMEROUS RIVERS, valleys, and hills common to Western Pennsylvania divide Pittsburgh into 90 unique cultural neighborhoods. Pittsburgh Theological Seminary is located between two such neighborhoods. To the north is a residential area of substantial homes, Highland Park, which takes its name from the large city park less than one mile from the Seminary. As one of Pittsburgh’s finest parks, Highland Park offers woods, picnic areas, paths for biking and walking, and tennis courts. Its large outdoor pool is available during the summer months. At the heart of the park is the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium, much of which was built at the turn of the century and which has undergone a largescale program of modernization.

PREPARING IN THE MOST LIVABLE CITY 90 unique cultural neighborhoods

To the south is the downtown area of East Liberty, a business and residential district undergoing substantial renewal. In the last 15 years, East Liberty has become home to a new Target, Whole Foods, Walgreens, PetSmart, and Home Depot; numerous hotels and a community theater; and a number of restaurants and bakeries, among other retail shops. Within walking distance are American, Tex-Mex, French-Canadian, barbecue, Japanese, and Thai cuisine. A converted Nabisco bakery includes Google as an anchor tenant. The surrounding population represents a racial and ethnic cross-section of urban America.

In the past few years, The Economist Intelligence Unit, Forbes.com, and Places Rated Almanac have all ranked Pittsburgh at the top of their most livable cities lists. National Geographic Traveler named the ‘Burgh among the best places in the world to experience. Called one of the world's “prettiest” cities by The Huffington Post, Pittsburgh is also one of the most affordable. Forbes.com ranked Pittsburgh

among the cities with the lowest cost of living, thanks in part to affordable housing rates—in both historic homes and new construction.

This region offers a quality of life not found in many places of its size. Urban renewal in the city has included a commitment to the arts and higher education. An internationally acclaimed symphony orchestra, along with resident opera, ballet, and theater companies, perform regularly in city theaters. Pittsburgh is also the home of several exceptional art collections and museums, including the Andy Warhol and Carnegie museums. Sports enthusiasts are delighted to cheer for the Pittsburgh Steelers (football), Pirates (baseball), and Penguins (hockey). The city is home to world-class health care, the leading employer in the region, and top-ranked institutions including Carnegie Mellon University, Duquesne University, and the University of Pittsburgh, which provide a rich atmosphere for intellectual growth.

All these factors make the region a stimulating place in which to live, study, and serve. The wealth of educational and employment options also makes Pittsburgh a wonderful location for spouses and family members seeking opportunities close to the Seminary’s campus.

10 colleges

and universities in the city

churches within two miles of the Seminary

In the past few years, The Economist Intelligence Unit, Forbes.com, and Places Rated Almanac have all ranked Pittsburgh at the top of their most livable cities lists.

THE SEMINARY

• Founded in 1794

• Affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)

• More than 20 databases and 12,000 ebooks in Barbour Library

• 18 full-time faculty

• 2,800 living alums (including outside the U.S.)

DEGREE PROGRAMS

• Master of Divinity

• Master of Divinity with Emphasis in Forming New Faith Communities

• Master of Divinity with Concentration in Anglican/ Episcopal Studies

• Master of Divinity/Master of Social Work with the University of Pittsburgh

• Master of Divinity/Juris Doctor with Duquesne University

• Master of Arts in Pastoral Studies

• Master of Arts with Concentration in Anglican/Episcopal Studies

• Master of Theological Studies

• Master of Theological Studies/Juris Doctor with Duquesne University

• Doctor of Ministry with a variety of cohorts beginning each year

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 (stand-alone or with a master’s degree)

• Spiritual Formation Certificate (non-credit)

18+ degrees and certificates

FINANCIAL AID

• More than $1 million annually awarded in aid

• Aid available for full- and half-time students

• Generous merit and need-based scholarships

RESOURCE PROGRAMS

• Center for Adaptive and Innovative Ministry

• Center for Writing and Learning Support

• Continuing Education

• Kelso Museum of Near Eastern Archaeology

• Metro-Urban Institute

• Miller Summer Youth Institute

• World Mission Initiative

CAMPUS COMMUNITY

• On-campus residents and commuters from a three-state area

• Students from 20+ denominations, 30+ states and countries outside the U.S.

• Full-time and part-time students

• Day and evening classes

• Fitness center and sports court open to the Seminary community

• Worship services held midday and evening

• Meals available during the academic year

PITTSBURGH AND THE REGION

• Surrounding neighborhood represents a racial and ethnic cross-section of urban America

• Location offers ministry opportunities in inner-city, suburban, small-town, rural, traditional, and emergent churches

• Pittsburgh named “most livable city,” “one of the best places in the world to experience,” and “most affordable”

• Many internationally acclaimed creative and performing arts venues

• Professional sports teams

• World-class health care

• Cluster of institutions of higher education