Fuller Theological Seminary

Fuller Theological Seminary is the largest multi-denominational seminary in the United States and one of the most influential centers of evangelical scholarship in the world. Founded in Pasadena, California in 1947 by radio evangelist Charles E. Fuller and theologian Harold Ockenga, it was created to combine serious academic theology with evangelical conviction — a combination that was rare at the time and that still defines the school.

Denomination and theological identity

Fuller is broadly evangelical and intentionally multi-denominational. It is not owned by or accountable to any single denomination. Students come from more than 100 denominations and 90 countries, and graduates are ordained across Presbyterian, Baptist, Methodist, Anglican, Pentecostal, non-denominational, and independent traditions.

That breadth is the point, and it is also the source of Fuller's reputation for being theologically moderate relative to confessional seminaries. Students who want a tightly defined denominational formation often choose elsewhere; students who want to study alongside the whole evangelical spectrum choose Fuller deliberately.

Three schools

• School of Mission and Theology — the MDiv, MA in Theology, and the historic School of World Mission tradition in intercultural studies and missiology, one of the strongest such programs anywhere.
• School of Psychology and Marriage and Family Therapy — APA-accredited PhD and PsyD programs integrating clinical psychology with theology, plus MS degrees in marriage and family therapy.
• Doctoral programs — the Doctor of Ministry, PhD in Theology, and PhD in Intercultural Studies.

Where you can study

Fuller's main campus is in Pasadena, California, just northeast of Los Angeles. The seminary has consolidated its regional campus footprint over the past decade while expanding online delivery substantially.

Most Fuller degrees can now be completed online or in hybrid format. The MDiv, MA in Theology, and Doctor of Ministry all have distance pathways, with some programs requiring short residential intensives rather than continuous campus presence. The psychology doctorates remain residential by nature of clinical training requirements.

Tuition and cost

Fuller charges by the credit hour, and total cost depends heavily on the degree. Typical annual tuition for a full-time master's student falls in the $18,000–$22,000 range, with the MDiv running roughly 96 quarter units. Institutional scholarships, denominational partnerships, and need-based aid reduce that meaningfully for most students, and Fuller participates in federal Title IV aid — so the FAFSA applies.

Ask admissions for a written cost-per-degree estimate rather than working from the per-unit rate alone; fees, unit counts, and aid packages vary considerably by program.

Accreditation

Fuller holds two accreditations that matter:

• WSCUC (WASC Senior College and University Commission) — regional institutional accreditation, which governs credit transfer and degree recognition generally.
• ATS (Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools) — the graduate theological accreditation that ordination boards, chaplaincy endorsers, and doctoral programs look for.

The psychology programs additionally hold American Psychological Association accreditation, which is essential for clinical licensure.

Who Fuller suits

Fuller is a strong fit if you want a rigorous, academically serious theological education without committing to a single denominational confession; if you are drawn to missiology, intercultural studies, or the integration of psychology and theology; or if you need a nationally recognized MDiv you can pursue substantially online.

It is a weaker fit if your denomination requires formation in its own institution, or if you want a tightly confessional environment where the faculty and student body share one doctrinal standard.