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?
2025 Commencement Ceremony
Rise & Amplify:
Claiming Our Season of Visibility & Voice
Sunday, May 25, 2025 ⎮ 4:00pm PT ⎮ First Presbyterian Church of Berkeley
UPCOMING EVENTS
Office of Community Life
Chapel: Embodying Purpose on Purpose
Office of Community Life
Chapel: Embodying the Power of our Purpose
Office of Community Life
Chapel: Graduates’ Chapel
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
A joint MDiv/MA degree in cooperation with the Graduate Theological Union (GTU).
Offers students an opportunity to explore theological studies and vocational goals
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.
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.
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’s Innovative Centers
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.
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.
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
— Unafraid.
Theological 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.
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 Support of Black Lives Matter
2016 – Stood with Standing Rock
2017 – Protested the Militarization of the Police
2020 –Included Anti-Racism and Queer Theory into Every Aspect of our Curriculum
2021 – Renewed our Commitment to an Emerging Generation of Students of Color
Reach Out to Our
Admissions Team
