San Francisco Theological Seminary

What San Francisco Theological Seminary does

San Francisco Theological Seminary (SFTS) is a graduate theological institution located at 105 Seminary Road in San Anselmo, California, founded in 1872 and operating for over 150 years in the Reformed tradition. Since 2022, SFTS has functioned as one of the colleges and schools within the University of Redlands, retaining its distinct identity while leveraging the parent university's administrative, admissions, and digital infrastructure. SFTS serves graduate-level students pursuing ministry preparation, chaplaincy certification, and theological research, with a classical curriculum covering scripture, history, systematic theology, ethics, homiletics, and pastoral care.

The institution's product portfolio centers on graduate degree programs (Master of Divinity, Master of Theological Studies, and other graduate degrees) plus certificate and diploma offerings delivered through two named program areas: the Shaw Chaplaincy Institute, which houses ACPE-accredited Clinical Pastoral Education at Levels I, II, and Supervisory, and the Spiritual Programs unit, which offers a 30-year-old Diploma and Certificate in Spiritual Direction. Technology infrastructure is limited to a standard Canvas Learning Management System embedded in the University of Redlands' academic stack, with no proprietary platforms or AI-driven components. Partnerships extend academic reach via a consortium arrangement with the Graduate Theological Union for cross-institutional course access.

SFTS's business model is tuition-based and recurring, with prospective students applying through University of Redlands' centralized admissions, attending courses on the Marin County campus, and receiving credentials under the University of Redlands banner. Pricing is not publicly disclosed. Customer segments include graduate theological students, chaplaincy candidates serving in healthcare, military, and community settings, and individuals seeking spiritual direction certification. The faculty directory indicates 16 faculty members, suggesting a small but specialized operation with endowed chairs in African-American Christianity, New Testament, and Spirituality. Revenue, enrollment figures, and financial details are not disclosed in available sources.

Name

San Francisco Theological Seminary

Legal name

San Francisco Theological Seminary

Website

https://sfts.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1872

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

San Francisco Theological Seminary is a graduate theological seminary in San Anselmo, California, founded in 1872 and operating within the University of Redlands since 2022, offering M.Div and MTS degrees, ACPE-accredited Clinical Pastoral Education, and Spiritual Direction diplomas to ministry and chaplaincy candidates.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Graduate Theological Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Seminaries (Graduate Theology & Ministry) (EDAHAKAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Divinity Schools (University-Affiliated) (EDAHAKAC), Denominational Theological Colleges (e.g., Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant, Evangelical) (EDAHAKAM)

Keywords

• Graduate theological education
• Clinical pastoral education
• Spiritual direction programs
• Ministry preparation
• Chaplaincy certification

Headquarters

HQ city

San Anselmo

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Graduate Theological Education: Tuition-based degree programs including Master of Divinity, Master of Theological Studies, and other graduate degrees in theological studies. Revenue is generated through student tuition, fees, and related educational services.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

San Francisco Theological Seminary provides graduate theological education through the Master of Divinity (MDiv) and Master of Theological Studies (MTS) degree programs, along with ACPE-accredited Clinical Pastoral Education via the Shaw Chaplaincy Institute and a Diploma and Certificate in Spiritual Direction. Programs are delivered through a hybrid format combining residential coursework at the San Anselmo campus with online learning, preparing students for ordination, chaplaincy, and spiritual formation ministry.

Product overview

San Francisco Theological Seminary (SFTS) offers a unified theological education portfolio centered on graduate programs in theological studies and continuing education certificates/diplomas. The programs are framed by a classical theology curriculum (scripture, history, systematic theology, ethics, homiletics, pastoral care) rooted in the Reformed tradition. SFTS operates through several named program areas: the Shaw Chaplaincy Institute (which includes ACPE-accredited Clinical Pastoral Education at Levels I, II, and Supervisory) and Spiritual Programs (offering a 30-year-old Diploma and Certificate in Spiritual Direction). Students receive academic advising, career counseling, and pastoral care support. The seminary also maintains a consortium partnership with Graduate Theological Union, extending educational access beyond the classroom.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Shaw Chaplaincy Institute: Programs foster understanding of caring practices across cultures and religious traditions, contributing to interreligious thought and faith.
• Clinical Pastoral Education
• Spiritual Programs

Products and services

• Master of Divinity (MDiv) Graduate professional degree preparing students for ordination and pastoral ministry in Reformed/Presbyterian and other mainline Protestant traditions.
• Master of Theological Studies (MTS) Academic graduate degree providing advanced theological study for students preparing for teaching, further graduate work, or specialized ministry.
• Shaw Chaplaincy Institute Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) ACPE-accredited Clinical Pastoral Education program preparing students for professional chaplaincy in healthcare, hospice, military, and other institutional settings.
• Diploma and Certificate in Spiritual Direction Two-tiered formation program (Diploma and Certificate) providing credentialed training in spiritual direction for ministry and lay formation settings.

Quantifiable outcome

• ACPE accreditation for Clinical Pastoral Education at Level I, II, and Supervisory levels
• +1 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Graduate Theological UnioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSFTS maintains a consortium partnership with the Graduate Theological Union, providing students access to educational resources beyond the seminary classroom. This partnership enables cross-institutional collaboration and expanded academic offerings for theology students.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves4 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Columbia Theological Seminary: PCUSA-affiliated graduate seminary in Decatur, GA offering MDiv, ThM, and DMin programs with strong chaplaincy and spiritual formation tracks. Comparable in tradition, scale, and program mix to SFTS.
• Fuller Theological Seminary: Major Reformed/evangelical graduate seminary in Pasadena with ACPE-accredited CPE programs and a strong online infrastructure. Directly competes with SFTS for the same Reformed-tradition students and chaplaincy candidates across California and beyond.
• Iliff School of Theology: Graduate theological school in Denver offering MDiv and doctoral programs with social-justice and pastoral formation emphases. Comparable in scale and program structure to SFTS, including hybrid delivery options.
• Wesley Theological Seminary: Graduate theological seminary in Washington, DC offering MDiv and doctoral programs with the Wesley Center for pastoral formation. Comparable scope to SFTS, particularly in chaplaincy and spiritual direction.
• McCormick Theological Seminary: PCUSA graduate theological seminary in Chicago offering MDiv and doctoral programs. Comparable scope and denominational identity with SFTS, both serving mainline Reformed ordination and chaplaincy pathways.
• Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary: Small PCUSA-affiliated graduate seminary offering MDiv and DMin programs with a flexible distance-learning track. Closely comparable to SFTS in size, denomination, and Reformed theological focus.
• Pacific School of Religion: Berkeley-based graduate theological school offering MDiv and doctoral programs with a progressive, interfaith focus. Comparable peer in size, Bay Area geography, and graduate theological mission, and a fellow Graduate Theological Union consortium member.
• Princeton Theological Seminary: Premier PCUSA seminary offering MDiv, ThM, and PhD programs with ACPE-accredited CPE. Directly competes in the Reformed theological education market and is the flagship peer in SFTS's own denominational tradition.
• Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary: Berkeley-based graduate theological seminary affiliated with the Graduate Theological Union, serving a mainline Christian tradition. Closely comparable in scale, regional focus, and consortium-based delivery model to SFTS.

Broad incumbents

• Duke Divinity School: University-affiliated divinity school at Duke offering MDiv and ThD programs with significant endowment and research output. Overlaps with SFTS in graduate theological education and chaplaincy preparation but operates at much larger scale and broader scope.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/sanfranseminary
• Facebookfacebook.com/154491531256881
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/san-francisco-theological-seminary

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about San Francisco Theological Seminary