Earlham School of Religion, a graduate division of Earlham College, located in Richmond, Indiana, is the oldest graduate seminary associated with the Religious Society of Friends. ESR's is as follows: "Rooted in the Christian Quaker tradition of contemplation that inspires action, Earlham School of Religion prepares theologically diverse students for a pluralistic world. Our curriculum unites spiritual formation, academic study, social engagement, and vital ministry."
History
ESR was founded in 1960 by Wilmer Cooper, D. Elton Trueblood and others for the training of Quaker ministers. Earlham School of Religion was opened on an experimental basis by Earlham College in the autumn of 1960. An M.A. in Religion was offered for the first two years. Then, the Board of Trustees authorized the expansion of the program to include a three-year Bachelor of Divinity degree. The B. Div. is now called either the Master of Ministry degree, a name many Quakers prefer, or the Master of Divinity degree, preferred by some who wish the name to correspond to that of other seminaries. Earlham School of Religion was accredited in 1969 by the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada and by the through affiliation with Earlham College. In 1994, Bethany Theological Seminary, affiliated with the Church of the Brethren, relocated to Richmond, Indiana, from Oak Brook, Illinois, and entered into a partnership with Earlham School of Religion. The schools remain independent but coordinate curriculum through a jointly operated Academic Services office, and they operate a combined computer network through Seminary Computing Services. In 2010, Earlham School of Religion celebrated its 50th anniversary. In 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020 ESR was designated as one of the "" by .
Current programs
Today Earlham School of Religion grants the degree with emphases in Christian Spirituality, Pastoral Care, Pastoral Ministry, Peace and Justice, Quaker Ministry, Teaching, Entrepreneurial Ministry, and Writing as Ministry. ESR also offers a degree with four areas of concentration: Biblical Studies, Christian Theology, Quaker Studies, and Peace and Justice Studies. In fall 2019, ESR launched a jointly offered degree with its partner school, Bethany Theological Seminary. In fall 2020, ESR launched a degree. In addition, students can enroll in in Quaker Studies, Spirituality, Quaker Spirituality, Spirituality in a Multifaith World, Entrepreneurial Ministry, Bivocational Ministry, and Writing as Ministry, or take individual courses as . Earlham School of Religion maintains its accreditation through ATS. In addition to its regular on-campus program, ESR also operates an ATS-accredited, degree granting distance education program called . The institution hosts a number of annual conferences and events including the , , , and a . Earlham School of Religion also maintains a number of websites for Quaker research, development, and networking. These include the , the , the , and the .
