Starr King School for the Ministry offers three graduate-level certificate programs:
The Certificate in Unitarian Universalist Studies, directed by Dr. Meg Richardson, Assistant Professor of Unitarian Universalist History, is ideal for seminarians attending non-UU schools, enabling them to study the full complement of Unitarian Universalist topics relevant to ministry and religious leadership and expected by the Ministerial Fellowship Committee.
The Certificate in Multi-Religious Studies, directed by Dr. Ghazala Anwar, Associate Professor of Quranic Studies, engages students in exploring the intersections and interactions among the world’s diverse religious traditions.
The Certificate in Religion in Public Life, offered in partnership with the Religious Freedom Center in Washington, DC, and supervised by Rev. Christopher Schelin, Director of Contextual Education & Dean of Students, develops participants’ expertise in the constitutional and human rights issues raised by the pluralistic character of American society.
Either of the first two certificates can be earned through any combination of six 3-unit courses (18 units), including on-line, short intensive, and immersion courses. Students can choose the approach that best suits their goals and circumstances.
The courses for the Certificate in Religion in Public Life are taught by the faculty of the Religious Freedom Center and are conducted through a combination of online learning and a three-day immersion in the nation’s capital.
(Residential students at Berkeley campus may enroll in residential courses to fulfill the requirements of a certificate program. Please contact the director of the program about specific residential courses.)
Certificate students will study with Starr King’s exceptional faculty, distinguished for their scholarly expertise, their wisdom and experience in ministry and religious leadership, their creative use of progressive educational approaches, and their passion for education that counters oppressions, promotes just and sustainable community, and liberates each person’s gifts and capacities.
Enroll Now!
To enroll in the Certificate in UU Studies or Certificate in Multi-Religious Studies program, submit your Certificate Program Enrollment form. The program director will review your submission and send it to the Student Services Office for filing.
To enroll in the Certificate in Religion in Public Life, please apply directly with the Religious Freedom Center and contact Christopher Schelin to express your interest in receiving academic credit.
Questions?
Contact us at recruitment@sksm.edu.
Interested students may register for courses (see How to Register for a Starr King Course). Certificate students pay tuition (see Tuition and Fees) on a course-by-course basis. Note that we are in the process of making our certificate programs eligible for federal financial aid, as SKSM certificates are not currently eligible for federal financial aid. Starr King M.Div. and M.A.S.C. students may pursue any certificate as part of their degree program.
With these certificate programs, Starr King aspires to open the doors of progressive/UU theological education to more students. We do so in devotion to our mission to educate people for Unitarian Universalist ministry and for progressive religious leadership in society grounded in the values of countering oppressions, creating just and sustainable community, and cultivating multi-religious life and learning.
