Identity & Mission

Evangelical in Character

Though diverse in its makeup and broad in its theological perspective, HGST consciously identifies itself with historic evangelical Christianity. We confess our faith in Jesus Christ and commit our lives to him and to the service of his church. We affirm our faith, not in order to exclude from the circle of faith those who may differ on some point, but rather to offer a positive witness to the reality of our experience of Christ as Lord and Redeemer within the community of faith that has nurtured us.

Multicultural in Makeup

Like the city from which we draw our name, Houston Graduate School of Theology brings together people from a wide range of ethnic, cultural, economic, and language backgrounds to form a single new entity--what we call the HGST Family. Here, the only group in the majority is those who love God and seek to serve God through a variety of ministries. We live each day in the rewarding challenge of building unity in the midst of our diversity.

Ecumenical in Spirit

HGST opens its doors to students from all Christian denominations, as well as those from faith traditions without denominational identity. The HGST Family encompasses a broad spectrum of faith experiences and doctrinal orientations, and encourages the passionate espousal of personal convictions within an atmosphere of mutual respect for difference. Historically, this spirit is called ecumenical.

Our Mission

HGST seeks to serve men and women of all faith traditions by offering a variety of educational opportunities as preparation for Christian ministry. The mission of Houston Graduate School of Theology is empowering spiritual leadership through the intellectual, spiritual and vocational development of men and women in order to advance the gospel of Jesus Christ throughout the world.

This mission is accomplished by promoting the growth of our students in three areas:

the mind is challenged and strengthened;

the spirit is guided and formed;

the calling of God is discerned, yielded to, confirmed, and cultivated.

Core Values

The following aspirations lie at the heart of all we do at HGST as motivation, guiding principles, and criteria for success:

Acknowledging teacher and student as collaborators in the shared enterprise of learning.

Bringing the value of critical and creative thought to the content of faith as revealed in Scripture and exemplified in Christian tradition and the personal experience of the believer.

Counting on God’s gracious involvement in our lives and in our world as the indispensable foundation on which all of our efforts rest.

Developing effective ministers who are socially relevant and globally minded.

Embracing variety as part of God’s design for Creation while tirelessly seeking a basis for unity in the midst of diversity.

Forming minds, spirits, and characters increasingly into the image of Christ.

Gaining competence in the knowledge and skills required to support and motivate a lifetime of learning.

Holding ourselves accountable for the total honesty of all our intellectual work.

Academic Programs

• Master of Arts

• Master of Arts in Counseling

• Master of Divinity

• Doctor of Ministry

  Also offered in Korean language and with our newest track, Military Chaplaincy

Our Students

HGST currently enrolls approximately 240 students representing 30 different denominational traditions. Our student body is ethnically diverse, with no single group comprising a majority.

As in seminaries across the country, many of our students are responding to a call to ministry as a second or subsequent career. Therefore, our average age is in the mid to upper 30's.

Our students attend classes during the day, in the evening, or both. Some are full-time students, while others attend only part-time. Most work at other jobs while they attend HGST. Many are already pastors of local churches.

Because there is no housing on campus, all of our students commute.

Accreditation & Affiliation

Houston Graduate School of Theology is accredited by ATS (The Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada, 10, Summit Park Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15275-1103) to award the Master of Arts, Master of Arts in Counseling, Master of Divinity, and Doctor of Ministry degrees.

HGST and/or its administrators are members of

• NAICU (National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities),
• AAHE (American Association for Higher Education),
• CHEA (Council for Higher Education Accreditation)
• ATFE (Association for Theological Field Education), and
• COSTS (Council of Southwestern Theological Schools).

HGST is listed in the Education Directory; Colleges and Universities , published by the Office of Educational Research and Improvement, the U.S. Department of Education Center of Statistics.

HGST is authorized under federal law to enroll nonimmigrant alien students.

HGST is approved by the State Approving Agency for veterans' benefits.

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