An Introduction to SFTS/Southern California

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Vice President's Welcome
Welcome to San Francisco Theological Seminary/ Southern California housed in the Kirk House Community Center of Pasadena Presbyterian Church. These facilities – augmented by the ability to use worship and fellowship space within the church complex itself - provide a marvelous space for the Southern campus of SFTS.

We are one of only two PC(USA) seminaries that have two fully-accredited, degree granting locations. Upon entering this portion of the SFTS website, you will be introduced to the work of San Francisco Theological Seminary in Southern California. The degree programs in Southern California began more than a decade ago as an extension of the programs in San Anselmo. Today a growing number of students receive a Reformed and Presbyterian theological education entirely in Southern California. We maintain ecumenical relationships through our ongoing cooperation with Fuller Theological Seminary, the Disciple Seminary Foundation, the Claremont School of Theology and the Episcopal Seminary in Claremont. This ecumenical stance is also upheld through the diversity of the denominational affiliation of the students here at SFTS/Southern California – along side the majority who are members of the PC(USA).

Both the Master of Divinity (M.Div.) and the Master of Arts in Theological Studies (M.A.T.S.) degrees are offered in Southern California. These degree programs are offered through a new model of theological education for an urban environment - a non-residential, congregationally based, inter-ethnic, multilingual program for the mature learner. The majority of the student body is fully employed at the same time they are pursuing their studies. This model is inclusive of diverse peoples and groups and sensitive to the needs of local congregations and governing bodies. Students are encouraged to adapt the program to their own personal and cultural needs.

The Presbyterian churches of Southern California have been instrumental in developing SFTS/Southern California and remain a vital part of its support base and ministry. Many evening classes meet in churches located throughout the region from Santa Barbara to San Diego, from Long Beach to Riverside. Together, the Seminary and local congregations have been stewards of God's gifts in training the next generation of leaders for the church in California and throughout the world. SFTS/Southern California's evening and Saturday program has made earning a M.Div. or M.A.T.S. possible for many who otherwise could not have undertaken study for ministry.

Two-thirds of the SFTS/Southern California student body is from Asian American, African-American, and Hispanic congregations. Many courses are taught in a bilingual format in English, Korean, and Spanish. Special sections and teaching assistance are offered in other languages, which have included Vietnamese and Taiwanese.

We invite you to peruse the remainder of the SFTS/Southern California section of the Seminary website for more detailed information about this part of SFTS. We also invite you to attend one of the periodic "Open House Saturdays" scheduled throughout the year to gain a first hand experience with SFTS/Southern California.

David T. Tomlinson
Vice President, SFTS/Southern California