Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta: What to Know Before You Visit or Enroll

The Interdenominational Theological Center (ITC) in Atlanta is a historically Black graduate theological school that has played a major role in training pastors, chaplains, and faith leaders across denominations. If you live in Atlanta, are visiting the city, or are exploring theological education options here, ITC is one of the most important religious and academic centers to understand.

This guide walks through what ITC is, where it is, how it fits into Atlanta life, and what to expect if you want to study, worship, or attend events there.

What Is the Interdenominational Theological Center?

The Interdenominational Theological Center is a Christian graduate-level theological school located in the heart of Atlanta. It’s known for:

• Being a consortium of historically Black theological schools and denominational programs
• Serving students from multiple Protestant traditions (Baptist, AME, CME, Church of God in Christ, and others)
• Its connection to the Civil Rights Movement and Black church leadership
• Its location on the Atlanta University Center (AUC) campus area alongside Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse College, and Spelman College

While ITC is rooted in the Black church tradition, it is interdenominational and engages with a broad range of Christian perspectives, with a strong emphasis on social justice, community leadership, and urban ministry—all highly relevant in a city like Atlanta.

Where Is ITC Located in Atlanta?

Campus Location:

• Interdenominational Theological Center
  700 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive SW
  Atlanta, GA 30314
  (Common mailing address used for campus-related contact)

ITC is in West Atlanta, within the Atlanta University Center area, just west of downtown. It’s surrounded by several major HBCUs and sits near important historic and cultural sites tied to the Black church and civil rights history.

Getting There: Transportation & Parking

By Car

• From Downtown Atlanta: It’s typically a short drive west via Martin Luther King Jr. Drive SW or Joseph E. Lowery Blvd.
• From I-20: Exit near the Ashby St / Joseph E. Lowery Blvd area and follow signs toward the Atlanta University Center.

Parking policies can change, but visitors commonly:

• Use designated visitor or campus parking lots
• Need to follow posted signs and any campus security instructions

❗ Tip: If you’re visiting for an event, check any event materials or call ahead to clarify parking location and whether a visitor pass is required.

By MARTA

ITC is reasonably accessible by MARTA bus and rail:

• Rail:
  • The Ashby Station (Blue/Green Line) is one of the closer MARTA rail stops to the AUC/ITC area. From there, many people take a short bus ride, rideshare, or walk depending on comfort and time.
• Bus:
  • MARTA bus routes serving Martin Luther King Jr. Drive SW and the AUC area are often used to reach campus.

Because MARTA bus routes and schedules can change, it’s best to check current routes and times before heading out.

What Does ITC Offer Academically?

ITC is a graduate theological institution, so programs are geared toward adults preparing for ministry, chaplaincy, teaching, nonprofit leadership, and community work.

Common Degree and Study Options

Program specifics can evolve, but ITC has historically offered:

• Master of Divinity (M.Div.) – A primary degree for those preparing for pastoral ministry, preaching, and congregational leadership.
• Master of Arts (M.A.-level theological degrees) – Often focused on religion, theology, or religious education; useful for teaching, church education, or further academic study.
• Doctoral-level programs – At various points, ITC has supported advanced study in ministry and theology, often emphasizing Black church studies and public theology.
• Certificate and continuing education programs – Shorter programs for clergy and lay leaders who want focused training without a full degree.

If you’re in Atlanta and curious about theological education while working, ITC may offer:

• Evening or hybrid courses (depending on the current schedule)
• Part-time enrollment options
• Programs designed for working pastors and bi-vocational ministers

📌 Local insight: Many Atlanta-area clergy and church staff complete their training at ITC while still serving in local congregations, especially in West and Southwest Atlanta.

Denominational Connections and Who Attends ITC

One of the things that makes ITC unique in Atlanta is its interdenominational structure. It brings together several historically Black denominations under one umbrella while still honoring their distinct traditions.

Typical Denominational Presence

ITC has historically housed or partnered with:

• Baptist programs
• African Methodist Episcopal (AME) traditions
• Christian Methodist Episcopal (CME) programs
• Church of God in Christ (COGIC) and other Pentecostal traditions
• Other Protestant denominations that value Black church history and urban ministry

This means that in any given classroom you might find:

• A Baptist pastor from Southwest Atlanta
• An AME minister serving in Metro Atlanta suburbs
• A CME clergy member from elsewhere in Georgia
• Students from across the Southeast drawn to Atlanta as a hub of Black religious life

For locals, this makes ITC a place where different Black church traditions intersect, often with a strong shared focus on social justice, community empowerment, and practical ministry in urban contexts.

Life on and Around ITC’s Campus

Campus Environment

ITC sits in a busy, historic urban neighborhood. Expect:

• A compact graduate campus with classrooms, offices, and worship spaces
• Access to the broader Atlanta University Center environment, which often includes:
  • Libraries
  • Student services (depending on cross-institution arrangements)
  • Shared events, lectures, and cultural programming

The surrounding area includes:

• Local churches with longstanding links to ITC and the AUC
• Historic neighborhoods tied to civil rights history
• Easy travel to Downtown Atlanta, the Westside, and Historic West End

Community and Worship

Because it trains clergy and church leaders, ITC often has:

• Chapel services and worship experiences on or near campus
• Guest preachers and speakers from Atlanta’s rich church community
• Events that reflect Black liturgical styles, gospel music, and preaching traditions

If you live nearby and are curious about Black theological thought, preaching, or worship life, keeping an eye on ITC’s public events and lectures can be worthwhile.

ITC’s Role in Atlanta’s Religious and Civic Landscape

Atlanta is sometimes described as a “city of churches” and a center of the Black church and civil rights leadership. ITC plays into that identity in several key ways:

• Training clergy for Atlanta congregations: Many pastors, associate ministers, and chaplains across Metro Atlanta either trained at ITC or have strong ties to it.
• Connection to civil rights legacy: ITC’s location and history place it in the same broad ecosystem as leaders like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), and churches like Ebenezer Baptist Church.
• Public theology and social justice: ITC has long emphasized urban ministry, racial justice, poverty, mass incarceration, and community development as core ministry concerns, which aligns with ongoing work in Atlanta neighborhoods.

If you are interested in faith-based community work in Atlanta—from prison ministry to housing advocacy—ITC can be an important touchpoint for conversations, partnerships, and training.

Visiting the Interdenominational Theological Center

If you’re in Atlanta and want to see ITC for yourself, here’s how to approach it.

1. General Campus Visit

Most visitors start with:

• Contacting the main campus office to ask about:
  • Campus visit hours
  • Building access (some spaces may be restricted to students and staff)
  • Whether a guided tour is available
• Checking the academic calendar for:
  • Holidays and break periods when campus activity is lighter
  • Orientation, commencement, or conference weeks when the campus is busier

A typical visit might include:

• Walking the grounds and nearby AUC neighborhood
• Seeing exterior views of instructional and worship buildings
• Getting a feel for the urban, historic setting

2. Attending a Public Event, Lecture, or Worship Service

ITC often participates in the broader Atlanta religious and academic conversation through:

• Public lectures, panels, and forums on theology, ethics, and social issues
• Special worship services or commemorations
• Conferences or symposiums on topics like urban ministry, Black church history, and pastoral care

To make the most of a visit for an event:

• ✅ Confirm date, time, and location (events may be held in specific halls or chapels)
• ✅ Ask whether registration or RSVP is required
• ✅ Arrive a bit early for parking and campus navigation

Considering ITC as a Prospective Student

If you’re in Atlanta and considering graduate theological study, ITC is one of the most locally rooted options with a strong focus on Black church traditions and urban contexts.

What Local Prospective Students Often Want to Know

1. Admission Requirements

Typical graduate theological programs expect:

• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
• Transcripts and a completed application
• Letters of recommendation, often including from a pastor or church leader
• Sometimes a personal statement describing your call to ministry or academic interests

Prospective students in Atlanta often balance church work, jobs, and family, so asking about part-time pathways and course scheduling is important early in the conversation.

2. Financial Aid and Support

ITC, like many theological schools, may offer:

• Scholarships or grants related to denomination or academic merit
• Tuition payment plans
• Access to federal student aid where eligible

Local clergy and lay leaders sometimes receive support from:

• Their home congregations
• Denominational bodies with scholarship or stipend programs

3. Fit With Your Denomination and Ministry Goals

Since ITC is interdenominational, you may want to ask:

• Whether there is a program or track that aligns with your specific denomination
• How ITC supports ordination requirements (many denominations have specific educational standards)
• How well ITC’s focus on urban and social justice issues matches your calling

ITC for Atlanta Visitors Interested in Black Religious History

If you’re visiting Atlanta and want to understand its religious and civil rights heritage, the Interdenominational Theological Center fits naturally into a broader itinerary that may include:

• The Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park (Auburn Avenue area)
• Ebenezer Baptist Church
• The Atlanta University Center (Morehouse, Spelman, Clark Atlanta)
• Nearby churches with strong community and civil rights ties

While ITC may not function as a tourist attraction in the traditional sense, understanding:

• Where it is
• Why it matters to clergy education
• How it shaped Black religious leadership

can deepen your appreciation of Atlanta as a center of Black intellectual, spiritual, and social activism.

Quick Reference: Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta

How ITC Fits Into Daily Life in Atlanta

For many people in Metro Atlanta, ITC is:

• A source of local clergy and chaplains who serve in:
  • Neighborhood churches
  • Hospitals and healthcare systems
  • Prisons and jails
  • Nonprofits and social service agencies
• A partner in community conversations about housing, justice, policing, poverty, and education
• An anchor institution in the historically Black Westside

If you’re:

• A church member in Atlanta: Your pastor, associate, or visiting ministers may have ITC connections.
• A community organizer or nonprofit leader: ITC students and alumni often participate in faith-based community initiatives.
• New to the city and exploring spiritual communities: Understanding ITC helps you see how deeply faith, education, and justice work are intertwined in Atlanta.

The Interdenominational Theological Center is not just a school; it’s a long-standing center of theological thought and ministry formation that continues to shape spiritual and civic life across Atlanta and beyond.