The Department of Graduate Religious Studies has been named an associate member of the Association of Theological Schools effective June 2012.

Marylhurst University's graduate religious studies department offers two master's programs. The Master of Divinity prepares students for a career as a chaplain, spiritual director or life facilitator, ordained minister, educator or other career that involves the practice of ministry and theology. The MA in Applied Theology is an intensive pastoral care preparation program that integrates the study of theology with professional application.

The Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada is a membership organization of more than 260 graduate schools that conduct post-baccalaureate professional and academic degree programs to educate persons for the practice of ministry and for teaching and research in the theological disciplines. The Commission on Accrediting of ATS accredits the schools and approves the degree programs they offer.

The association began as a conference of theological schools in 1918. In 1936, it became an association, adopted standards for judging quality, and in 1938 established its first list of accredited schools. Its membership currently includes 238 accredited members, 10 institutions with candidate for accredited status, and 13 associate member institutions. Its member schools include Protestant, Roman Catholic and Orthodox graduate schools of theology that reflect a broad spectrum of doctrinal, ecclesiastical and theological perspectives within the Christian faith. The mission of ATS is to promote the improvement and enhancement of theological schools to the benefit of communities of faith and the broader public.