The Presbyterian University and Theological Seminary is a university and seminary located in the Gwangjin District, Seoul, South Korea. PUTS is affiliated with the Presbyterian Church of Korea. Its school motto is ‘Pietatis et Scientia’: ‘Piety and Knowledge’.
History
The Presbyterian University and Theological Seminary began as a small theological educational center, established by Samuel A. Moffett, an American PCUSA missionary. Teaching began at his home in 1901, before, in 1903, the Presbyterian Council formally agreed to the formation of a theological education center in Korea. In June 1907 the first class of seven students graduated from the theological course, and among them were the first Korean pastors ordained by the Presbyterian Church: Sun-Joo Kil, Suk-Jin Han, and Ki-Pung Lee. In 1961 fifteen acres of land in Gwangjang-dong, Gwangjin-gu of Seoul was purchased, and new buildings were constructed on the site. A new school was launched, under the name of Presbyterian Seminary, gaining accreditation from the government of South Korea in the same year. Presbyterian Seminary opened its Graduate School in 1966. In 1973 the Seminary changed its name to Presbyterian Theological College, and established a joint Doctor of Ministry program with San Francisco Theological Seminary. In the following year the College received accreditation to open a Master of Divinity Program. With over 2,400 students, by the mid-1980s PUTS had become one of the largest Presbyterian seminaries in the world. The year 1992 saw the School transfer its D.Min program partnership to McCormick Theological Seminary. In 1993, Presbyterian Theological College changed its name to the Presbyterian University and Theological Seminary. The Graduate School of World Mission was established in the same year, quickly followed by the founding of the GraduateSchool of Ministry and the Graduate School of Education in 1995, and the Graduate School of Music in 1996. By 2001 the Graduate School of Ministry had broadened to offer Th.M. and D.Min. programs.
Academics
The Presbyterian University and Theological Seminary is home to three different educational entities: the undergraduate college, the seminary, and the graduate school. Students of the college, seminary, and graduate school study a variety of different degrees. PUTS is accredited by the Korean Council for University Education. The institution is also a member institution of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities.
Affiliations
PUTS is affiliated with a number of different educational and research institutes. These include:
PUTS is affiliated with the Presbyterian theologian and author, Frederick Buechner. PUTS students are invited to submit an entry for the annual Excellence in Preaching and Excellence in Writing prizes named in honor of Buechner. Due to its membership of the CCCU, students of PUTS are given the opportunity to apply for study abroad on the Best Semester program.
