Leading Progressive Christian Seminary and Graduate School - Pacific School of Religion
Source: http://www.psr.edu
Archived: 2026-04-23 16:55
Leading Progressive Christian Seminary and Graduate School - Pacific School of Religion
Experience PSR in person! Sit in on a class in person or remotely.
Request a Class Visit
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A Progressive Christian Seminary & Graduate School
Unafraid Since 1866
At Pacific School of Religion, your journey toward impactful leadership begins. Here you’ll re-envision faith communities to be more inclusive, aid in healing lives, and champion justice and equality. PSR’s rich legacy of activism and inclusion through our graduate degrees and programs now extends to you. This is your moment to contribute to a new narrative of grace in our evolving world.
Are you prepared to embrace this challenge
—
unafraid
?
REQUEST INFO
APPLY TODAY
UPCOMING EVENTS
Badè Museum
,
Public Event
Social Justice and Archaeology: Archaeological Institute of America Talk
April 23rd, 2026
Alumnx / Development Office
Alumnx Gathering at the Disciples of Christ Northern California-Nevada Annual Gathering
April 23rd, 2026
Office of Community Life
Prom 2026: Get on Board the Love Train
April 24th, 2026
VIEW ALL EVENTS
LATEST NEWS
A Century of Discovery: The Badè Museum and the Legacy of Tell en-Naṣbeh
Read More »
April 21, 2026
In Memoriam: Rev. Roger E. Ridgway
Read More »
April 6, 2026
What Kind of Hope Can A.I. Offer?
Theological Education in a Digital Age
Read More »
March 23, 2026
VIEW ALL NEWS
Admissions
Teaching and Living the
Radically Inclusive Gospel
Since 1866, Pacific School of Religion (PSR) has been a trailblazer in progressive theological education, social transformation, and leadership formation.
As a
progressive Christian institution
, we are more than a seminary—we are a diverse, inclusive community that embraces people from all denominations, spiritual traditions, and walks of life. Rooted in a commitment to racial, gender, sexual, economic, and social justice, we prepare visionary leaders to create a world where all can thrive.
Our innovative
stackable curriculum
allows students to earn
two graduate degrees and a graduate certificate in just three years
, with flexible options for distance learning. For experienced professionals, our
Doctor of Ministry (DMin)
program provides advanced training to meet today’s complex challenges.
START YOUR JOURNEY
Academics
A Transformative Curriculum Designed for a Changing World
PSR’s
innovative curriculum
weaves together theological study, contextual education, spiritual formation, and professional development.
With
flexible options for both distance and on-campus learning
, we empower students to pursue their education wherever they are.
VIEW OUR DEGREES & PROGRAMS
Doctor of Ministry
An advanced professional degree designed for experienced leaders interested in evolving their practice in progressive social change, LGBTQ+ issues, disciplines of performative practice, congregational leadership and chaplaincy.
Explore this program
Master of Divinity
PSR’s MDiv focuses on leadership formation, hands-on work experience, and theological study that is aligned with PSR’s radically inclusive Christian values. Concentrations are available in Congregational Ministry and Chaplaincy.
Explore this program
Master of Arts in Social Transformation
An innovative professional graduate program that fuses leading-edge practices in organizational leadership and design thinking with the spiritual formation PSR has offered for over 150 years.
Explore this program
Master of Theological Studies
A rigorous survey of theological studies culminating in a project focused on a student’s primary area of passion, like environmental theology, feminist theology, liberation theology, etc.
Explore this program
Master of Divinity / Master of Arts
A joint MDiv/MA degree in cooperation with the Graduate Theological Union (GTU).
Explore this program
Certificate of Theological Studies
Offers students an opportunity to explore theological studies and vocational goals
Explore this program
Certificate of Spirituality and Social Change
A graduate certificate program focusing on leadership skills for ethical decision-making, design thinking or social change, spiritual formation and theological reflection, and community organizing and activism.
Explore this program
Certificate of Sexuality and Religion
A graduate certificate program focusing on the knowledge and skills needed to apply theological, historical, ethical, pastoral, and practical dimensions of sexuality, sexual orientation, and gender identity to their religious vocations.
Explore this program
Community Life
Building Community Through God's Presence
At PSR, we rely on God’s presence to build an inclusive community rooted in progressive Christian values—diversity, mutual respect, and the transformative practices of listening and learning. These values prepare us for leadership in churches, faith-based organizations, and movements for justice and reconciliation.
Here, you’ll find a community enriched by difference. PSR welcomes students from diverse theological traditions, cultural backgrounds, and life experiences, knowing this diversity deepens our shared journey and equips us to serve a world in need of hope and healing.
JOIN OUR COMMUNITY
About Us
Pacific School of Religion prepares a diverse cadre of spiritually rooted leaders with the vision, resilience, and skill to create a world where all can thrive.
Grounded in the rigorous study and faithful practice of progressive Christian faith, PSR partners with students of all backgrounds to deepen their spirituality and enhance their capacity to lead in transformative ways. Connected to a broad network of religious, educational, not-for-profit, and private sector organizations—and guided by the wisdom of historically marginalized communities—PSR offers an education defined by innovation, reflection, and excellence.
Founded in 1866, Pacific School of Religion is a progressive Christian seminary and graduate school located in Berkeley, California, and is a member of the Graduate Theological Union (GTU). The GTU is a consortium of seminaries and institutes in the San Francisco Bay Area, fostering a unique environment for collaboration and dialogue across faith traditions. As a leader in progressive Christian theological education, PSR equips individuals with the tools and perspective needed to create meaningful impact in their communities and beyond.
PSR AT A GLANCE
PSR’s Innovative Centers
In addition to the graduate school and seminary, PSR’s four centers offer added opportunities to grow educationally and vocationally.
Badè Museum of Biblical
Archeology
The Badè Museum of Biblical Archeology creates Pexhibitions, and lectures that draw
attention to the people that have been historically marginalized
Founded at PSR in 1923, the Badè is committed to bringing lessons from the ancient past to those fighting for justice, equity, equality, and inclusion today —
Unafraid.
Learn About the Badè
Center for LGBTQ and Gender Studies in Religion (CLGS)
Founded in 2000 at PSR, CLGS was created to transform attitudes towards LGBTQ+ people within faith communities and within society at large.
Our goal is to create a new discourse on religion, gender, and sexuality for a future where all people can embrace life fully
—
Unafraid.
Learn About CLGS
Ignite Institute
Ignite Institute is a collective created and founded at PSR to equip leaders with the tools to step forward to help you discover your unique leadership voice.
The skills you cultivate here will light the way ahead in your work and give others the courage to move forward with you
—
U
nafraid.
Learn About Ignite
T
heological Education for Leadership (TEL)
TEL was created to equip those in full-time jobs and life transitions with the tools to answer the call to deeper service.
TEL offers a flexible approach to learning and has been a program of PSR for 38 years.
If “Can I do this?” is the question on your mind, we’re here to help you answer your call—
Unafraid.
Giving
Invest in Courage with PSR
Invest in the future by making a donation through Pacific School of Religion that will impact not only our students, but the lives they touch through ministry, community-building, and social transformation.
GIVE TODAY
A Timeline of PSR’s Legacy
1866 –
Enfranchised Chinese Immigrants Ahead of the Exclusion Act
1895 –
Enrolled Women During the Heart of Suffrage
1942 –
Opposed Japanese Internment During WWII
1950 –
Appointed Georgia Harkness, the First Female Full Professor of Theology at a U.S. Protestant Seminary
1959 –
Combined Civil Rights Activism and Scholarship
1966 –
Marched for Farmworkers’ Rights
1969 –
Protested the War in Vietnam
1972 –
Alumnx
Bill
Johnson
Becomes
the First Openly Gay Man Ordained in a Mainline Denomination (UCC)
1997 –
Protested Nuclear Proliferation at the United Nations
2000 –
Founded the Center
for
LGBTQ and Gender Studies in Religion
(CLGS),
The First Seminary-Based LGBTQ Center
2001 –
Founded the Institute for Leadership Development and Study of Pacific and Asian North American Religion
(PANA)
2015 –
Protested in
S
upport of Black Lives Matter
2016 –
S
tood
with Standing Rock
2017 –
Protested the Militarization of the Police
2020 –
Inc
luded
Anti-Racism and Queer Theory
into
Every Aspect of our Curriculum
2021 –
Renewed our Commitment to an Emerging Generation of Students of Color
2024 –
Launch of Kwaray
LEARN ABOUT OUR HISTORY
Reach Out to Our
Admissions Team
Spring Application Deadline:
January 5, 2026
Apply now to join a diverse community of spiritually rooted leaders creating a world where all can thrive.
Apply Today
Doctor of Ministry Panel
Wednesday, December 10th at 4pm PT / 7pm ET
Join us for an online info session and panel discussion on PSR’s Doctor of Ministry program! You’ll hear from our program director, Dr. Jim Lawrence, as well as a panel of current students.
RSVP Today
Experience PSR in person! Sit in on a class in person or remotely.
Request a Class Visit
X
Skip to content
A Progressive Christian Seminary & Graduate School
Unafraid Since 1866
At Pacific School of Religion, your journey toward impactful leadership begins. Here you’ll re-envision faith communities to be more inclusive, aid in healing lives, and champion justice and equality. PSR’s rich legacy of activism and inclusion through our graduate degrees and programs now extends to you. This is your moment to contribute to a new narrative of grace in our evolving world.
Are you prepared to embrace this challenge
—
unafraid
?
REQUEST INFO
APPLY TODAY
UPCOMING EVENTS
Badè Museum
,
Public Event
Social Justice and Archaeology: Archaeological Institute of America Talk
April 23rd, 2026
Alumnx / Development Office
Alumnx Gathering at the Disciples of Christ Northern California-Nevada Annual Gathering
April 23rd, 2026
Office of Community Life
Prom 2026: Get on Board the Love Train
April 24th, 2026
VIEW ALL EVENTS
LATEST NEWS
A Century of Discovery: The Badè Museum and the Legacy of Tell en-Naṣbeh
Read More »
April 21, 2026
In Memoriam: Rev. Roger E. Ridgway
Read More »
April 6, 2026
What Kind of Hope Can A.I. Offer?
Theological Education in a Digital Age
Read More »
March 23, 2026
VIEW ALL NEWS
Admissions
Teaching and Living the
Radically Inclusive Gospel
Since 1866, Pacific School of Religion (PSR) has been a trailblazer in progressive theological education, social transformation, and leadership formation.
As a
progressive Christian institution
, we are more than a seminary—we are a diverse, inclusive community that embraces people from all denominations, spiritual traditions, and walks of life. Rooted in a commitment to racial, gender, sexual, economic, and social justice, we prepare visionary leaders to create a world where all can thrive.
Our innovative
stackable curriculum
allows students to earn
two graduate degrees and a graduate certificate in just three years
, with flexible options for distance learning. For experienced professionals, our
Doctor of Ministry (DMin)
program provides advanced training to meet today’s complex challenges.
START YOUR JOURNEY
Academics
A Transformative Curriculum Designed for a Changing World
PSR’s
innovative curriculum
weaves together theological study, contextual education, spiritual formation, and professional development.
With
flexible options for both distance and on-campus learning
, we empower students to pursue their education wherever they are.
VIEW OUR DEGREES & PROGRAMS
Doctor of Ministry
An advanced professional degree designed for experienced leaders interested in evolving their practice in progressive social change, LGBTQ+ issues, disciplines of performative practice, congregational leadership and chaplaincy.
Explore this program
Master of Divinity
PSR’s MDiv focuses on leadership formation, hands-on work experience, and theological study that is aligned with PSR’s radically inclusive Christian values. Concentrations are available in Congregational Ministry and Chaplaincy.
Explore this program
Master of Arts in Social Transformation
An innovative professional graduate program that fuses leading-edge practices in organizational leadership and design thinking with the spiritual formation PSR has offered for over 150 years.
Explore this program
Master of Theological Studies
A rigorous survey of theological studies culminating in a project focused on a student’s primary area of passion, like environmental theology, feminist theology, liberation theology, etc.
Explore this program
Master of Divinity / Master of Arts
A joint MDiv/MA degree in cooperation with the Graduate Theological Union (GTU).
Explore this program
Certificate of Theological Studies
Offers students an opportunity to explore theological studies and vocational goals
Explore this program
Certificate of Spirituality and Social Change
A graduate certificate program focusing on leadership skills for ethical decision-making, design thinking or social change, spiritual formation and theological reflection, and community organizing and activism.
Explore this program
Certificate of Sexuality and Religion
A graduate certificate program focusing on the knowledge and skills needed to apply theological, historical, ethical, pastoral, and practical dimensions of sexuality, sexual orientation, and gender identity to their religious vocations.
Explore this program
Community Life
Building Community Through God's Presence
At PSR, we rely on God’s presence to build an inclusive community rooted in progressive Christian values—diversity, mutual respect, and the transformative practices of listening and learning. These values prepare us for leadership in churches, faith-based organizations, and movements for justice and reconciliation.
Here, you’ll find a community enriched by difference. PSR welcomes students from diverse theological traditions, cultural backgrounds, and life experiences, knowing this diversity deepens our shared journey and equips us to serve a world in need of hope and healing.
JOIN OUR COMMUNITY
About Us
Pacific School of Religion prepares a diverse cadre of spiritually rooted leaders with the vision, resilience, and skill to create a world where all can thrive.
Grounded in the rigorous study and faithful practice of progressive Christian faith, PSR partners with students of all backgrounds to deepen their spirituality and enhance their capacity to lead in transformative ways. Connected to a broad network of religious, educational, not-for-profit, and private sector organizations—and guided by the wisdom of historically marginalized communities—PSR offers an education defined by innovation, reflection, and excellence.
Founded in 1866, Pacific School of Religion is a progressive Christian seminary and graduate school located in Berkeley, California, and is a member of the Graduate Theological Union (GTU). The GTU is a consortium of seminaries and institutes in the San Francisco Bay Area, fostering a unique environment for collaboration and dialogue across faith traditions. As a leader in progressive Christian theological education, PSR equips individuals with the tools and perspective needed to create meaningful impact in their communities and beyond.
PSR AT A GLANCE
PSR’s Innovative Centers
In addition to the graduate school and seminary, PSR’s four centers offer added opportunities to grow educationally and vocationally.
Badè Museum of Biblical
Archeology
The Badè Museum of Biblical Archeology creates Pexhibitions, and lectures that draw
attention to the people that have been historically marginalized
Founded at PSR in 1923, the Badè is committed to bringing lessons from the ancient past to those fighting for justice, equity, equality, and inclusion today —
Unafraid.
Learn About the Badè
Center for LGBTQ and Gender Studies in Religion (CLGS)
Founded in 2000 at PSR, CLGS was created to transform attitudes towards LGBTQ+ people within faith communities and within society at large.
Our goal is to create a new discourse on religion, gender, and sexuality for a future where all people can embrace life fully
—
Unafraid.
Learn About CLGS
Ignite Institute
Ignite Institute is a collective created and founded at PSR to equip leaders with the tools to step forward to help you discover your unique leadership voice.
The skills you cultivate here will light the way ahead in your work and give others the courage to move forward with you
—
U
nafraid.
Learn About Ignite
T
heological Education for Leadership (TEL)
TEL was created to equip those in full-time jobs and life transitions with the tools to answer the call to deeper service.
TEL offers a flexible approach to learning and has been a program of PSR for 38 years.
If “Can I do this?” is the question on your mind, we’re here to help you answer your call—
Unafraid.
Giving
Invest in Courage with PSR
Invest in the future by making a donation through Pacific School of Religion that will impact not only our students, but the lives they touch through ministry, community-building, and social transformation.
GIVE TODAY
A Timeline of PSR’s Legacy
1866 –
Enfranchised Chinese Immigrants Ahead of the Exclusion Act
1895 –
Enrolled Women During the Heart of Suffrage
1942 –
Opposed Japanese Internment During WWII
1950 –
Appointed Georgia Harkness, the First Female Full Professor of Theology at a U.S. Protestant Seminary
1959 –
Combined Civil Rights Activism and Scholarship
1966 –
Marched for Farmworkers’ Rights
1969 –
Protested the War in Vietnam
1972 –
Alumnx
Bill
Johnson
Becomes
the First Openly Gay Man Ordained in a Mainline Denomination (UCC)
1997 –
Protested Nuclear Proliferation at the United Nations
2000 –
Founded the Center
for
LGBTQ and Gender Studies in Religion
(CLGS),
The First Seminary-Based LGBTQ Center
2001 –
Founded the Institute for Leadership Development and Study of Pacific and Asian North American Religion
(PANA)
2015 –
Protested in
S
upport of Black Lives Matter
2016 –
S
tood
with Standing Rock
2017 –
Protested the Militarization of the Police
2020 –
Inc
luded
Anti-Racism and Queer Theory
into
Every Aspect of our Curriculum
2021 –
Renewed our Commitment to an Emerging Generation of Students of Color
2024 –
Launch of Kwaray
LEARN ABOUT OUR HISTORY
Reach Out to Our
Admissions Team
Spring Application Deadline:
January 5, 2026
Apply now to join a diverse community of spiritually rooted leaders creating a world where all can thrive.
Apply Today
Doctor of Ministry Panel
Wednesday, December 10th at 4pm PT / 7pm ET
Join us for an online info session and panel discussion on PSR’s Doctor of Ministry program! You’ll hear from our program director, Dr. Jim Lawrence, as well as a panel of current students.
RSVP Today