Academic programs
Prospective students should have a well-rounded undergraduate education that includes training in critical reasoning, the thoughtful assessment of texts, standard library research techniques, and written communication.
You will find it helpful to have studied English language and literature, history, philosophy, natural sciences, social sciences, fine arts and music, Biblical and modern languages and religion. You should also have basic computer literacy skills, as these abilities are required for research and writing. Most important, however, is your demonstrated capacity for creative learning, self-discipline and the pursuit of excellence.
Degree and Certificate Offerings
Earlham School of Religion offers several degree and certificate options for our students. Below, learn more about each program, as well as how to audit a course or take one for credit as an Occasional Student.
Compare Degrees & Programs
| Degree/Program | Credit Hours & Length | Access or Residential | Residency Requirement | Concentration or Emphasis | Financial Assistance |
| MDiv/MMin Master of Divinity | 75 Residential in 3 years Access in 5 years | Both | Yes | Pastoral Care Pastoral Ministry Peace & Justice Quaker Ministry Spirituality Teaching Writing UU Ministry | Full-tuition scholarships available for residential & Access, Need-based aid for full-time students |
| MATW Master of Arts: Theopoetics & Writing | 36 Residential or Access in 2+ years | Both | No | Full-tuition scholarships available for residential & Access, Need-based aid for full-time students | |
| MAPST Master of Arts in Peace & Social Transformation | 36 1 year in specific sequence | Residential | Yes | 3 courses from the curriculum focused on an area of concentration | Tuition free for qualified students |
| MA Master of Arts in Religion | 42 Residential in 2 years Access in 3+ years | Both | Yes | Biblical Studies Christian Theology Studies Quaker Studies Peace and Justice Studies | Full-tuition scholarships available for residential & Access, Need-based aid for full-time students |
| Certificates | 18 2 years, some in specific sequence | Both but some have residency requirements | Some | Bivocational Ministry Entrepreneurial Ministry Quaker Studies Spiritual Formation Writing for Ministry | 25% tuition discount |
| Occasional Program | Up to 6 credit hours/semester | Both | No | 50% tuition discount for first class | |
| Audit | 0 | Both | No |
Take a Course When You Need It
Interested in taking a course for professional or personal development? Apply for admission to our Occasional Student Program and register for residential or Access classes.
We also offer the option to audit a class for students who are not seeking academic credit.
Next steps
Ministry isn’t just a vocation or a calling—it’s a way of being in this world, seeking to make it whole. ESR is ready to support you in answering your own call to ministry, whatever shape it takes.