Schulz is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Oberlin College (1971), holds a master's degree in philosophy from the University of Chicago (1974), and both a master's degree in theology and a Doctor of Ministry degree from Meadville Lombard Theological School in 1973 and 1975. In addition to being awarded an honorary D.D. (Doctor of Divinity) from Meadville Lombard in 1987, he was also awarded an honorary L.H.D.s (Doctor of Humane Letters) from Nova Southeastern University in 1995, Grinnell College in 2004, Oberlin College, the University of Cincinnati and Willamette University in 2005, Lewis & Clark College in 2006 and Sage College of Albany in 2010.

From 1997 to 2005, Federal Election Commission records show that William F. Schulz contributed a total of $9,450 to the campaigns of Democratic Party politicians Gary Ackerman, Geraldine Ferraro, Carolyn McCarthy, Steve Israel, Hillary Rodham Clinton, Edward M. Kennedy, Charles Schumer, John Kerry, Patrick Leahy, Bill Nelson and Al Gore.

Schulz is the author of several books, including:

• In Our Own Best Interests: How Defending Human Rights Benefits Us All (Beacon Press, 2002) ISBN 0807002275
• Tainted Legacy: 9/11 and the Ruin of Human Rights (Nation Books, 2003). ISBN 1560254890