Starr King School’s distinctive educational approach is rooted in the Unitarian Universalist values of countering oppressions, cultivating multi-religious life and learning, and creating just and sustainable communities.
In our work we strive to embody what we hope to see in the world — a just, loving humanity and community in which people are free to be themselves fully and without fear; a community where no one is exiled, silenced or exploited because of gender, gender expression, race, color, ethnic or national origin, religion, sexual/affectional orientation, age, class, physical character or disability.
Starr King School for the Ministry has a long history as a spiritual haven for the LGBTQ+ community and has participated in the development of many LGBTQ+ faith leaders. The first openly gay, lesbian, and transgender ministers called to serve Unitarian Universalist congregations were educated at Starr King, as well as the first non-straight couple to establish a co-ministry.
1979: Rev. Douglas Morgan Strong (All Souls Church, August, Maine)
1984: Rev. Barbara Pescan (Beacon Unitarian Church, Oak Park, Illinois)
1995: Rev. Barbara Pescan and Rev. Ann Tyndall (Unitarian Church, Evanston, Illinois)
2002: Rev. Sean Parker Dennison (South Valley Unitarian Universalist Congregation, Salt Lake City, Utah)
Are you called to religious leadership? Start your journey - complete the form to get started today!
In our work we strive to embody what we hope to see in the world — a just, loving humanity and community in which people are free to be themselves fully and without fear; a community where no one is exiled, silenced or exploited because of gender, gender expression, race, color, ethnic or national origin, religion, sexual/affectional orientation, age, class, physical character or disability.
Starr King School for the Ministry has a long history as a spiritual haven for the LGBTQ+ community and has participated in the development of many LGBTQ+ faith leaders. The first openly gay, lesbian, and transgender ministers called to serve Unitarian Universalist congregations were educated at Starr King, as well as the first non-straight couple to establish a co-ministry.
1979: Rev. Douglas Morgan Strong (All Souls Church, August, Maine)
1984: Rev. Barbara Pescan (Beacon Unitarian Church, Oak Park, Illinois)
1995: Rev. Barbara Pescan and Rev. Ann Tyndall (Unitarian Church, Evanston, Illinois)
2002: Rev. Sean Parker Dennison (South Valley Unitarian Universalist Congregation, Salt Lake City, Utah)
Are you called to religious leadership? Start your journey - complete the form to get started today!
Starr King offers two graduate degree programs: Master of Divinity and Master of Arts in Social Change. Concentrations in Chaplaincy Studies and Unitarian Universalist Studies are available with either degree. Additionally, Starr King offers four graduate-level certificates: Unitarian Universalist Studies, Multi-Religious Studies, Chaplaincy Studies, and Psychedelic Justice & Companioning.
Master of Divinity
Master of Arts in Social Change
Certificates
Starr King’s MDiv degree prepares people for vocations in:
Are you called to be an agent of change?
MASC is a 2-year degree program that prepares students to become spiritually grounded agents of social change and transformative leaders.
Explore our graduate-level certificate programs
At Starr King, our variety of courses can help prepare students for a future in leadership. Students can decide which classes would best meet their educational goals through our student-centered, adaptive educational model. They can explore our online, intensive, and low-residency options of study. We also offer fieldwork, internships, and other practical methods of learning. Students can even take classes without being enrolled in one of our degree programs! Contact us to learn more about our courses.
We believe that anyone who has the desire to better their community should have the opportunity to pursue that honorable goal. That’s why we offer financial aid and scholarships to those who qualify. In order to qualify for financial aid, students must fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online and our SKSM Institutional Tuition Scholarship Application. If you have any questions about our financial aid options, contact our Financial Aid Office. We’d be happy to counsel you as you begin your spiritual journey.
Doing the work to create a better and more just world is essential to the call of religious leadership. That’s why we emphasize our commitment to educating to counter oppressions and to creating just and sustainable communities. One way in which we fulfill this commitment is to teach by who we are and what we do. That is why we welcome not only Unitarian Universalist students, but also students from all faiths, backgrounds, ethnicities, and identities. We believe that everyone has the capacity to become a leader in their community. Through our educational model, students will be equipped to do the work of religious leadership and create social change in the 21st century world. Our programs are available to anyone who is ready to take up this vitally important work.
Want to know more? Contact us!
About our graduate programs
Each student’s course of study is individually designed.
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