Starr King School for Ministry

What Starr King School for Ministry does

Starr King School for the Ministry (SKSM) is a private, nonprofit theological seminary headquartered at 414 13th Street, Suite 700, Oakland, California, founded in 1904 as the Pacific Unitarian School for the Ministry and renamed in 1941. It is one of only two theological schools in North America with an explicit Unitarian Universalist identity, and operates under ATS accreditation with permanent waiver of residential requirements. The institution enrolls approximately 105 students annually (15–20 new degree candidates each Fall, 10–15 each Spring) drawn from five primary segments: UU seminarians preparing for ministerial fellowshipping, multi-religious students, chaplaincy candidates, social change leaders, and certificate-only learners.

SKSM's product portfolio comprises three graduate degrees — a 72-credit Master of Divinity (M.Div., effective Fall 2026, reduced from 90 credits), a 36-credit Master of Arts in Social Change (MASC), and a 90-credit Joint M.Div./MASC — plus four certificate programs: Unitarian Universalist Studies, Multi-Religious Studies, Chaplaincy Studies, and Psychedelic Justice and Companioning (launched February 2024). Delivery is hybrid via the Populi LMS, combining synchronous/asynchronous Zoom instruction with low-residency intensives, immersions, and an annual Symposium. The school also operates the Center for Multi-Religious Studies (CMRS, founded 2021) as a research and convening hub, distributes the WEAV curriculum product to congregations, and houses the Earl Morse Wilbur Rare Book Collection (1,300 volumes).

Revenue is generated primarily through per-credit tuition ($875/credit current; $975/credit starting Fall 2026), Special Student course fees, federal financial aid processing, and philanthropic contributions channeled through the $9 million Sowing Seeds comprehensive campaign. GTM is admissions-led via the Populi application platform with rolling monthly deadlines, augmented by community-driven event marketing (Open Houses, Chapel services, Symposium, CMRS programming). In July 2025, Dr. Stephanie L. Krusemark became President, succeeding Rev. Rosemary Bray McNatt, with a stated Five-Year Roadmap to position SKSM as the hub for counter-oppressive theological education by July 2027.

Name

Starr King School for Ministry

Legal name

Starr King School for the Ministry

Website

https://sksm.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1904

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Starr King School for the Ministry is a 121-year-old private, nonprofit Unitarian Universalist theological seminary in Oakland, CA, serving ~105 students annually through graduate degrees (M.Div., MASC) and certificate programs in multi-religious and progressive religious leadership, delivered via a hybrid online/low-residency model.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Theological Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Religious Organizations (8131)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Seminaries (Graduate Theology & Ministry) (EDAHAKAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Ministerial Training Institutes (Clergy Formation) (EDAHAKAE), Faith-Based Education & Formation (Seminaries, Religious Schools, Catechesis) (BPAGAJAD)

Keywords

• Theological education
• Graduate seminary programs
• Religious leadership training
• Ministerial preparation
• Multi-religious studies

Headquarters

HQ city

Berkeley

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Tuition Revenue: Per-credit tuition for degree programs and certificate programs. Students pay per credit with minimum enrollment requirements for financial aid eligibility.
2. Special Student Course Fees: Non-matriculated students pay per-course tuition at same rate as degree students, plus $25 non-refundable processing fee per registration.
3. Comprehensive Campaign (Sowing Seeds): $9 million fundraising campaign to support institutional operations and student scholarships.
4. Federal Financial Aid: Participation in federal student aid programs including unsubsidized Stafford loans up to $20,500 per academic year.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Starr King School for the Ministry is a private theological seminary offering graduate-level degree programs (Master of Divinity, Master of Arts in Social Change, and a Joint MDiv/MASC) and certificate programs (Unitarian Universalist Studies, Multi-Religious Studies, Chaplaincy Studies, Psychedelic Justice and Companioning). It prepares students for Unitarian Universalist ministry, chaplaincy, multi-religious leadership, and progressive social change work, delivered through a flexible hybrid model combining online courses with periodic intensives and immersions.

Product overview

Starr King School for the Ministry is a theological seminary offering a portfolio of degree programs (Master of Divinity, Master of Arts in Social Change, and their Joint degree), certificate programs (Unitarian Universalist Studies, Multi-Religious Studies, Chaplaincy Studies, and Psychedelic Justice and Companioning), and supplementary educational offerings. The institution operates The Center for Multi-Religious Studies (CMRS) as an academic hub, hosts an annual Symposium for community-wide learning, and provides curriculum products like WEAV for congregations. Students can also enroll as Special Students to take individual courses. Programs are delivered through flexible formats including online, intensive, and low-residency options, with a student-centered approach rooted in Unitarian Universalist values of countering oppressions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Master of Divinity (M.Div.) A 72-credit professional degree program preparing students for Unitarian Universalist ministry, chaplaincy, other denominational ministry, and progressive religious leadership in society. The program follows an individually designed course of study with competency thresholds in eight areas: pastor, prophet, preacher, scholar, counselor, theologian, teacher, and artist.
• Master of Arts in Social Change (MASC) A 36-credit professional degree program preparing students for leadership in society through institutions and vocations that serve the common good by working for justice, equity, and compassion, including non-profit organizations, social service agencies, and religious associations.
• Joint Master of Divinity/Master of Arts in Social Change A combined 90-credit degree program allowing students to pursue both the M.Div. and MASC credentials simultaneously, providing comprehensive preparation for religious leadership focused on social change.
• Certificate in Unitarian Universalist Studies A graduate-level certificate directed by Rev. Dr. Meg Richardson, designed for seminarians at non-UU identity schools to study Unitarian Universalist topics relevant to ministry and religious leadership expected by the Ministerial Fellowship Committee. Earned through six 3-unit courses (12 credits).
• Certificate in Multi-Religious Studies A graduate-level certificate directed by Dr. Som Pourfarzaneh that engages students in exploring intersections and interactions among the world's diverse religious traditions, using a multi-religious pedagogical approach. 12 credits.
• Certificate in Chaplaincy Studies A graduate-level certificate directed by Rev. Dr. Pamela Hancock enabling students to study chaplaincy topics, understand available chaplaincy positions, undergo a formation process, and become prepared to minister in clinical settings including hospitals, veterans' facilities, hospices, and universities. 18 credits.
• Certificate in Psychedelic Justice and Companioning A 12-credit certificate program providing training for people of faith in psychedelic-assisted healing and companioning within religious contexts. Must be completed within two years.
• Special Student Course Enrollment Allows individuals to take courses at SKSM without being fully enrolled in a degree or certificate program. Non-matriculated students pay per-course tuition at the same rate as degree students, plus a $25 non-refundable processing fee per registration. Successfully completed courses transfer if students later enroll in certificate or degree programs.

Quantifiable outcome

• Successfully transitioned to primarily virtual educational model during COVID-19 pandemic
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered major, core and minor.

• Graduate Theological UnionmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1964Starr King joined the Graduate Theological Union in 1964, participating in a consortium of theological schools in Berkeley, CA. The school has since left the GTU as part of its transition to Oakland.
• Unitarian Universalist AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary denominational partner for UU ministry preparation. UUA provides scholarships to aspirants and candidates for UU ministry, and debt-reduction assistance for graduates entering ministry.
• Unitarian Universalist Service CommitteeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNon-sectarian organization promoting human rights and social justice worldwide. Shares UU values alignment with Starr King's mission.
• Beacon PressminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUnitarian Universalism's voice for liberal religious values, publishing books on current religious and social issues. Publisher of UU theological works.
• The Sarah and Hajar SeriesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-sponsor of House of Dates event series, partnering with Muslim and Jewish voices from diverse backgrounds and histories for interfaith dialogue.
• Unitarian Universalists of the San Francisco Bay AreaminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegional UU organization listing Bay Area congregations, supporting community connections for students and graduates.
• The Tapestry (Multi-Religious Repository)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRepository of multi-religious articles, media, curricula, and educational materials offered through the Center for Multi-Religious Studies.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Broad incumbents

• Union Theological Seminary: Long-established progressive, multi-religious seminary in New York City with significantly larger endowment and broader program portfolio. Competes for the same pool of progressive religious-leader students but at much greater scale and brand recognition.
• Wesley Theological Seminary: United Methodist seminary in Washington, D.C. offering M.Div. and D.Min. with a justice-focused curriculum. Comparable in theological tradition (mainline Protestant) and program mix, though with materially larger enrollment and denominational footprint.
• Harvard Divinity School: Elite divinity school with multi-religious orientation, very large endowment, and global brand. Competes with SKSM for the most academically credentialed progressive religious-leader candidates, though at materially different price point and selectivity.

Direct peers

• Meadville Lombard Theological School: The other of the only two Unitarian Universalist theological schools in North America and SKSM's direct counterpart for UU ministerial preparation. Both serve a UU aspirant pipeline, offer low-residency/online options, and compete for the same UU Ministerial Fellowship Committee candidates.
• Iliff School of Theology: United Methodist seminary in Denver with progressive theological orientation. Directly comparable as a progressive Christian seminary offering the M.Div. and graduate theological degrees; former employer of SKSM's new president, Dr. Krusemark.
• Claremont School of Theology: Methodist-related progressive seminary in Southern California offering M.Div., D.Min., and Ph.D. programs with an interreligious emphasis. Comparable to SKSM in progressive theological identity, multi-religious curricular direction, and hybrid delivery model.
• Chicago Theological Seminary: Progressive UCC-affiliated seminary with a long-standing multi-religious, social-justice identity. Comparable to SKSM in theological posture, small enrollment footprint, and emphasis on counter-oppressive curricula and chaplaincy preparation.
• Pacific School of Religion: Progressive, multi-religious seminary in Berkeley historically affiliated with mainline Protestant denominations. Closely comparable in theological orientation (progressive, social-justice focused), proximity, and program mix, including hybrid/online delivery.

Emerging players

• Naropa University: Boulder-based progressive institution with contemplative and counter-oppressive educational mission. Comparable to SKSM in values orientation (progressive, contemplative, social-justice grounded); one of Dr. Krusemark's prior institutions, signaling strategic kinship.

Others

• Graduate Theological Union: Berkeley-based consortium of theological schools of which SKSM was formerly a member. Functions as an ecosystem peer and infrastructure provider — GTU's shared library, cross-registration, and faculty resources remain a benchmark SKSM now operates outside of.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/StarrKingRMD
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/starr-king-school-for-ministry
• TikToktiktok.com/@sksmsocial
• Xx.com/starrkinggtu
• Facebookfacebook.com/109619005723268

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Starr King School for Ministry