The College of Theology was first established in 1915 as the Department of Theology in Chosun Christian College. Since 1945, the department has developed into a leading theological institution, known as the first College of Theology located in a Korean university.

A feature of Yonsei University's College of Theology is its efforts to weave together the interdisciplinary studies of theology with other academic fields. It also endeavors, in an ecumenical spirit, to provide various academic and practical activities in which faculty members and students participate on an interdenominational basis. The College of Theology serves the church and broad communities in Korea's diverse society.

In accordance with its founding spirit, the College of Theology has been developing up-to-date educational programs for the following purposes: first, to increase the academic excellence in theological studies by both maintaining its relationship with mainline theological scholarship in the world and endeavoring to develop a creative way of doing theology, the so-called “Korean Theology”; second, to provide a well-balanced theological education geared toward both scholarship and toward a living faith for all students; third, to nurture future leaders for Korean churches and world communities with an understanding of the diversity of the Christian mission. Accordingly, the department encourages students to have a double major in conjunction with any other department of the University. To achieve these purposes, the College has also run an affiliated center called “The Institute of Christianity and Korean Culture.”