A Tradition of Service
Founded in 1871, San Francisco Theological Seminary stands poised to celebrate its 140th anniversary of Presbyterian theological education in the West. With a rich history of service to the church, SFTS remains dedicated to being a Christ-centered, academic, ecumenical community. Rooted in the Reformed tradition, graduates of SFTS study God’s Word, proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord, follow Christ’s way, care for God’s creation, and share by word and deed Jesus’ love and grace.
In 1892, the Seminary established its residential campus in San Anselmo, just 15 miles north of the Golden Gate Bridge. Its Presbyterian/ecumenical approach to theological education equips students for leadership in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and other protestant denominations. Other attributes that make SFTS unique include:
Outstanding Faculty
The faculty of SFTS is extraordinary. Among them, you will find powerful preachers, creative scholars, gifted writers and effective practitioners in the arts of ministry. Not only are they interesting, talented, thoughtful, scholarly and dedicated individuals, but together they provide extraordinary access to theological education. They personify our commitment at SFTS to spiritual formation, critical theological reflection, and the arts and skills of ministry. They know it is both a privilege and a challenge to prepare people for service in congregations, in the wider church, in the classroom and in the public sphere.
Strategic Locations & Models of Theological Education
SFTS is strategically located on the Pacific Rim. As such, it builds bridges of educational partnerships throughout the East and West. Its scenic Northern California campus in San Anselmo is considered one of the most beautiful campuses in the United States. There, San Anselmo students benefit from unique on-campus learning opportunities, including Clinical Pastoral Education and the Program in Christian Spirituality.
Leadership in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
SFTS is one of 10 Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) seminaries in the United States. In addition to preparing leaders for pastoral ministry, chaplaincy and educational positions, numerous graduates serve in leadership roles as presbytery and synod executives. Noteworthy is the fact that 15 members of the SFTS community (graduates, faculty, staff and trustees) have served as moderator of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A) General Assembly.
On-Campus Experience & Scholarships
Nestled amongst redwood trees at the base of Marin County’s Mount Tamalpais, the SFTS campus welcomes students, alumni and visitors to its scenic and peaceful setting. Its 14-acre grounds are ideal for students who seek a residential campus rich in community life, close relationships with faculty, and vibrant worship services. On-campus housing includes historic homes for the president and faculty, affordable dorm-style accommodations for single students, and apartments and townhouses for students with families.
All SFTS students benefit from need-based financial aid and merit-based scholarships, which are competitive with other seminaries. Members of the admissions staff welcome conversations with prospective students about admissions requirements and scholarship opportunities.
Transformative Alumni Ministries
SFTS students are called to pastoral ministry, chaplaincy, graduate studies and other forms of specialized ministry thanks to SFTS’s unique theological education, which is Christian, Reformed, Presbyterian and Ecumenical. Examples of transformative ministries that have blossomed after students graduate from SFTS include: Rev. Dr. Sirirat Pusurinkham, who speaks out against Asia’s sex trade and founded an orphanage in Thailand; Rev. Sharon Stanley, executive director of Fresno Interdenominational Refugee Ministries; Estuardo Bazini-Barakat, a CPE supervisor at the Center for Urban Chaplaincy at Los Angeles County/USC Medical Center; Rev. Dr. Laura Mendenhall, the former president of Columbia Theological Seminary and member of the Texas Presbyterian Foundation; Timothy Nonn, who led a grassroots advocacy campaign that sent thousands of tents to war torn Sudan; and Rev. Bruce Reyes Chow, past moderator of the PC(USA) General Assembly and pastor of Mission Bay Community Church.
Annual reunions, regional educational events and a nationally renowned Christian Spirituality Program provide some 4,000 alumni, pastors and lay leaders with multiple opportunities to enhance their education, deepen their experience of the Holy Spirit and nurture lifelong friendships. SFTS enjoys relationships with partner congregations throughout the West and strong financial support from trustees, alumni, auxiliary members, and friends.
Commitment to Social Justice & the Environment
Just as Christ taught his disciples to love their neighbors as themselves, SFTS students live out their faith in ways that honor Christ’s love for the poor and oppressed. Consider that in 1965, SFTS President Ted Gill, faculty members and students marched with Martin Luther King, Jr., from Selma to Montgomery seeking racial justice. During the five-day march, 51 SFTS students set up tents, dug latrines, and served as guards and lookouts. Prior to becoming the moderator of the PC(USA) General Assembly and president of SFTS, Dr. J. Randolph Taylor described himself as a “foot soldier” for King and fought for civil rights as a pastor in the Southern Presbyterian Church. In more recent history, the Seminary’s concern for environmental ethics was demonstrated by its 2009 carbon footprint analysis, which is enabling the seminary to make “green” decisions about future construction and operations.
GTU Affiliation
A founding member of the Graduate Theological Union (GTU) in Berkeley, Calif., SFTS is considered a pioneer in ecumenical education. Its students benefit from open enrollment in the largest and most diverse partnership of seminaries and graduate schools in the United States. SFTS shares resources with the GTU, including one of the most comprehensive libraries in the country with over 450,000 volumes. In addition, SFTS faculty members supervise GTU PhD candidates in numerous fields, and students interested in interfaith studies can take advantage of the GTU centers for Muslim and Jewish studies.
Degrees and Special Programs
• Master of Divinity
• Master of Arts in Theological Studies
• Doctor of Ministry
• Diploma in the Art of Spiritual Direction
• Diploma in Spiritual Formation Studies
• Clinical Pastoral Education
• Certificate in Ministry Studies
• Joint GTU degrees: Master of Arts, Doctor of Philosophy, Doctor of Theology
