About Pacific School of Religion
Founded in 1866, Pacific School of Religion (PSR) is a progressive Christian seminary and graduate school committed to a radically inclusive Gospel. While the dominant culture defines itself by who belongs and who doesn’t, PSR is committed to welcoming people for who they are – as they are.
PSR offers multiple, flexible options for anyone looking to build spiritually grounded leadership skills; or learn from wisdom-based traditions. In addition to PSR’s Master of Divinity (MDiv), Master of Theological Studies (MTS) and Doctor of Ministry (DMin) programs we also offer Graduate Certificates including Sexuality and Religion and Spirituality and Social Change. Courses can also be completed through the Ignite Institute and our Theological Education for Leadership programs. PSR is also home to the Center for LGBTQ and Gender Studies in Religion (CLGS), the first seminary-based LGBTQ+ Center.
PSR is accredited by both Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and Association of Theological Schools (ATS)
Unafraid Since 1866
PSR in the News
Religion News Service | 3/16/23
Pacific School of Religion is leading the conversation around Black queer theology
CLGS will host two marquee events exploring Black queer theology in April — the Souls A’Fire 8 Conference and the 16th John E. Boswell Lecture.
Religion News Service | 2/21/23
PSR Continues Rising Enrollment Trend While Maintaining Diversity
Bucking the national trend for seminaries, PSR has grown steadily over the past five years with Spring 2023 representing the largest enrollment in recent history — up 44% since 2018.
PSR Newsroom | 2/19/23
Progressive Voices of Faith: Climate Crisis
Each month we reach out to the PSR community to get their perspective on important, often polarizing issues. This month we spoke with alumnx, faculty, and students about climate change.
PSR Newsroom | 1/31/23
PSR Stands in Solidarity and Grief with Tyre Nichols’ Family and Community
A statement from PSR about the violent death of Tyre Nichols at the hands of five Memphis police officers.
Bay Area Reporter | 1/31/23
LGBTQ Agenda: MCC minister takes helm of LGBTQ religious studies center this year
PSR alumnx Roland Stringfellow becomes managing director at PSR’s Center for LGBTQ and Gender Studies in Religion.
PR Newswire | 1/26/23
Pacific School of Religion announces $3.5M Gift for Ethics Chair
The Stanley Watson Endowed Chair in Ethics is funded by alumnx and former board member Stan Watson who came to PSR to study ethics and health care in the wake of the AIDS crisis.
PSR Newsroom | 12/14/22
Each month we reach out to the PSR community to get their perspective on important, often polarizing issues. This month we spoke with alumnx, faculty, and students about the fight for the establishment and expansion of rights for transgender and gender non-conforming (GNC) people.
OZY | 12/11/22
Singaporean Pastor Preaches Unwelcome Message
PSR alumnx Miak Siew (MDiv/CSR ’12) fights for free speech and other protections for minority and marginalized communities through his ministry at Free Community Church in Singapore.
Outreach | 12/9/22
The Need to Chronicle and Preserve Queer Catholic History
Profile of ‘Queer and Catholic: An Oral History,’ a project of #CLGS‘s Catholic Roundtable & one of the first centralized oral history repositories dedicated solely to the queer Catholic experience.
PSR Newsroom | 11/30/22
Badè Museum Curators Win ASOR Community Engagement and Public Outreach Award
Current Bade Museum curator Melissa Cradic and former Bade curator Sam Pfister recognized for their work on the multi-platform project and web exhibition, Unsilencing the Archives: The Laborers of the Tell en-Masbeh Excavations (1926-35).
The Heights | 11/13/22
A Queer Pastor Fights To Prove That Christianity Can Be Inclusive
A profile of the work PSR Alumnx Rev. Nikira Hernandez (MDiv ’16) is doing at their UCC church to heal some of the negative experiences her community, especially LGBTQ+ and POC folks, have had with Christianity and create an open and affirming congregation.
PSR Newsroom | 11/7/22
Each month we reach out to the PSR community to get their perspective on important, often polarizing issues. Ahead of the midterm elections, we asked alumnx, faculty, and students how they felt their faith informed their political views.
The Kelly Clarkson Show | 11/1/22
Doctor of Ministry student Rev. Sarah TevisTownes appears on the Kelly Clarkson show with Shawn Dromgoole discussing her involvement with Shawn’s grassroots movement to create unity in neighborhoods across race.
State of California DOJ Press Release | 11/1/22
PSR alumnx Dr. Sarai Crain (MTS ’06) was selected as CA’s first-ever sexual assault evidence outreach coordinator. Dr. Crain previously served as the Deputy Chief for the City of Oakland’s Department of Violence Prevention and as the Executive Director of Bay Area Women Against Rape, the nation’s oldest rape crisis center.
UCC News Room | 10/18/22
Amid ‘major cultural shifts,’ millions from Lilly will help seminaries innovate, collaborate
Coverage of PSR’s Lilly Endowment Inc. Grant through the Pathways for Tomorrow Initiative.
PSR Newsroom | 10/12/22
PSR Community Grieves the Loss of MDiv Student Isamaeli (Eli) Mata’afa
The entire Pacific School of Religion community grieves deeply for the sudden death of Isamaeli (Eli) Mata’afa. We hold his family, church, and the entire Bay Area Samoan and Tuvaluan community in prayer.
PR Newswire| 9/27/22
PSR Receives $5M Grant From Lilly Endowment Inc. To Build Innovative Educational Ecosystem
Delivered through an online platform currently in pilot under the brand name The Ignite Collective, PSR’s educational ecosystem will be funded through the Lilly Endowment’s Pathways for Tomorrow Initiative.
PSR Newsroom | 9/26/22
Progressive Voices of Faith: Reproductive Rights
Each month we reach out to the PSR community to get their perspective on important, often polarizing issues. In September we asked alumnx, faculty, and students about reproductive rights in the wake of the Supreme Court’s reversal of Roe v. Wade.
San Diego Jewish World | 9/19/22
Every Song a Protest: Interview with Ryan Cassata
An interview with musician, trans activist, and PSR Master of Divinity student, Ryan Cassata.
ABC 8 News | 9/14/22
Richmond’s trauma healing coordinator connects those impacted by gun violence to resources
A profile of Doctor of Ministry student, Donte McCutchen, and the impact he has in his home community of Richmond, VA as the health district’s trauma healing coordinator.
PSR Newsroom | 9/14/22
Pacific School of Religion’s Ignite Institute Launches Ignite Collective Membership
The Ignite Collective, an innovative online learning and community platform for emerging leaders seeking spiritually-rooted transformation, launches with two membership options.
PSR Newsroom | 8/29/22
Historically Large and Diverse Class Enters PSR in Fall 2022
Students from around the country are drawn to PSR for its rigorous scholarship, compassionate and welcoming community, flexible, stackable curriculum, and commitment to intersectional inclusion and social justice.
PSR Newsroom | 8/1/22
PSR Welcomes Four New Faculty Members
Following a rigorous faculty and community search process, these colleagues have been selected to shape PSR’s distinctive reimagination of theological education.
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Religious News Service | 7/18/22
The Rev. Adriene Thorne voted eighth Senior Minister of The Riverside Church in the City of New York
PSR alumnx Rev. Adriene Thorne becomes the 8th Senior Minister and third PSR alunmx to serve historic Riverside Church.
PSR Newsroom | 6/24/22
LGBTQ+ Pioneers Share Hopeful Vision for Radically Inclusive Faith
During a Pride month event PSR alumnx Loey Powell and current student Ryan Cassata shared their experiences as LGBTQ+ pioneers, why they were drawn to seminary and how PSR helped them build a community that fueled their activism.
Religious News Service | 2/10/22
Are today’s seminarians tomorrow’s corporate leaders?
Profile of PSR’s Ignite Institute and their Wisdom Based Leadership cohort program as part of a larger trend of seminaries creating ethical leadership programs.
The Guardian | 9/11/21
US Evangelical Lutheran Church installs first openly transgender bishop
PSR alumnx, Megan Rorher is installed as the first openly transgender bishop by the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America.
Berkeleyside | 7/8/21
Berkwood Hedge School opens a middle school this fall
Berkwood Hedge middle school moves onto PSR’s campus as part of our transition to an inter-generational learning community.
Desert News | 3/27/21
What put Passover in the Jewish home? Not the pandemic
Rabbi Jane Rachel Litman, leader of the Jewish Roundtable at PSR’s Center of LGBTQ and Gender Studies in Religion discusses how Jewish women have shaped rituals like Passover throughout history.
NPR | 9/12/20
California Catholics Adjust To Outdoor Worship During Pandemic
PSR Dean, Susan Abraham, shares reasons Catholics have historically eschewed outdoor service, a practice that gained traction during the pandemic.
New York Times | 9/1/20
From the Seabed, Figures of an Ancient Cult
Aaron Brody, director of the Badè Museum at PSR weighs in on an archeological discovery containing figurines of Tanit, a 5th century Phoenician goddess about whom Brody previously published work.
Religious News Service | 7/20/20
As seminaries welcome openly transgender students, church lags behind
PSR, described by a student as “the most welcoming and accepting place I had ever experienced,” featured as one of the seminaries working to increase inclusion of trans seminarians post-graduation.
The Salt Lake Tribune | 6/15/20
Utah Methodist pastor takes on a demanding role in a faith on the brink of an LGBTQ schism
Profile of PSR alumnx and superintendent of the UMC’s Utah/Western Colorado District, Rev. Elizabeth McVicker, as she helps her denomination navigate the worldwide schism over LGBTQ+ inclusion.
Vice | 9/17/2019
The Female Pastors Making Space for Queer Christians to Express Their Faith
A profile of PSR alumnx and founding pastor of Ministerio Latino, Rev. Rhina Ramos, and her work creating inclusive spaces for queer Christians.
Detroit Free Press | 6/29/19
Ministers argue for state to adopt legal protections for LGBTQ Michiganders
Op-ed from PSR alumnx and senior pastor of Metropolitan Community Church Detroit, Roland Stringfellow.
The Daily Californian | 4/30/19
UC Berkeley students navigate intersection of LGBTQ+, Christian communities
PSR professor and executive director of PSR’s Center for LGBT and Gender Studies in Religion, Bernard Schlager on how to repair and build relationships between Christain and LGBTQ+ communities.
The Body | 3/30/19
10 Black Transgender Women to Watch
A profile of PSR alumnx Rev. Monica Joy Cross as part of a roundup of leaders in the nationwide fight for civil and human rights for trans and gender nonconforming people of color.
The Denver Post | 3/25/19
Activist, “washed-up beauty queen” brings unique perspective as Boulder church’s new minister
Profile of PSR alumnx Rev. Nicole Lamarche as she begins her service at south Boulder’s Community United Church of Christ.
The Salt Lake Tribune | 1/12/19
Karen Oliveto, PSR alumnx and the first openly lesbian bishop in the United Methodist church, discusses the schism in her denomination over LGBTQ+ inclusion.
New York Times | 9/28/18
Robert Wood, 95, Dies; Urged Christian Acceptance of Gay People
PSR professor and executive director of the Center for LGBT and Gender Studies in Religion, Bernard Schlager discusses the impact of Wood’s seminal 1960 book, Christ and the Homosexual.
