Residential Learning
Living on Campus, Learning in Community
At Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, the residential experience is not just about where you live—it’s about how you grow in faith and community. Living on campus offers opportunities for connection, collaboration, and friendship, all within a supportive environment that fosters a deep sense of belonging. We embrace hospitality, extending from our neighbors on campus to Pittsburgh and around the world.
Students consistently tell us they chose PTS because of our unique, close-knit community. Whether continuing conversations after class, sharing meals at a faculty member’s home, worshiping in chapel, or studying together in the library, by living on campus, you benefit from the impactful experiences of learning in fellowship.
Student Housing
We offer affordable and conveniently located housing options, with a wide range of housing units and floor plans available. Here, you can access spaces that support your personal needs and provide relationship-building opportunities. If you receive need-based aid, you may also qualify for a housing grant to cover the cost further.
Review housing options, pricing, and availability.
Live and Learn Together
Students who prefer in-person learning can benefit from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary’s housing and continue living on campus.
Flexible Courses for Every Student
We designed our degree and certificate programs with you in mind. With courses offered in person, hybrid, and online and schedules planned years in advance, you can tailor your education to your personal and professional commitments. Our community-centered approach enriches both residential and hybrid learning experiences.
The in-person community at PTS is one of my favorite experiences. Whether the casual nod and wave or a deep conversation, engaging with students on campus and forming a community introduces another level to seminary by genuinely learning from others outside of the classroom.
I appreciate most the way we meld as a community during events, lunches, and everything in between. We get to know our professors, staff, and PTS community as a whole on a much deeper level when we get the chance to be in fellowship with one another.
PTS is enabling students the freedom to choose what is best for them without sacrificing the core of our community. Whether you're hybrid or residential, it's clear that we want all of the members of our community to be involved with each other.
Frequently Asked Questions
Get the answers to your questions about Pittsburgh Theologica Seminary's housing and residential learning community.
What's it like to live in Pittsburgh?
Pittsburgh is a vibrant and diverse community with over 90 unique neighborhoods, meaning you can serve in urban, suburban, and rural ministry contexts within a short drive from campus. Through our affiliation with the Pittsburgh Council on Higher Education (PCHE), you can cross-register in graduate programs at prestigious institutions like the University of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University, and more.
In addition, Pittsburgh’s rich cultural scene includes the Carnegie and Warhol museums, professional sports teams, and a wide array of dining options, making it an exciting place to live and study. You can also participate in athletic and recreational activities, like tennis and basketball, on and off campus. Highland Park, located within walking and biking distance from campus, offers trails, open fields, and playgrounds.
What are the food service options on campus?
Join fellow students, faculty, and staff for lunch and other community meals in the Kadel Dining Room. Residents of Calian Hall have access to kitchenettes and shared kitchens, while those in campus apartments enjoy full-size kitchens in their units where they can prepare their meals.
What is worship life like at PTS?
Worship at PTS reflects the diverse practices of different denominations, traditions, and cultures, with the awareness that God transcends each of these practices. Weekly on-campus services, including Communion, allow our community to know God more deeply and embody Christ more fully through various worship experiences.
What can I expect from PTS faculty?
Our low student-to-faculty ratio fosters meaningful interaction and mentorship within our academic community. Faculty are not only scholars—they are dedicated mentors who invite students into their homes for fellowship and theological reflection. With expertise across disciplines, faculty members commit to supporting students through one-on-one research opportunities, guidance, and mentorship.
What student organizations are on campus?
The Student Association facilitates a wide range of extracurricular events and student groups around denomination, identity, and shared interests. These groups support forming a community of seminarians dedicated to the ministry of preparation and scholarship.
What resources do you offer for denominational formation?
For those with the call to parish, congregational, and denominational ministry, we provide an opportunity to deepen ecclesial identity and formation in the unique habits and practices of a student’s own tradition. PTS's Houses of Study offer students a cocurricular learning environment to deepen their denominational identity or explore new ideas.
Rooted in strong relationships with local denominational and ecumenical partners, these Houses support the ongoing needs of students of the judicatories that entrust their candidates into our care. There are two Houses of Study on campus: Presbyterian and Ecumenical/Nondenominational.
Join Our Residential Learning Community
Experience the life-changing journey of residential learning at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, where faith and fellowship shape your spiritual and academic growth.