Earlham School of Religion

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Earlham School of Religion (ESR), a graduate division of Earlham College, located in Richmond, Indiana is the oldest graduate seminary associated with the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers). ESR was founded in 1960^[1] by Wilmer Cooper, D. Elton Trueblood and others for the training of Quaker ministers. Today Earlham School of Religion grants both the Master of Divinity and Master of Arts in Religious Studies degrees with five areas of emphasis: Pastoral Ministry, Christian Spirituality, Peace and Justice Studies, Ministry Among Unprogrammed Friends, Ministry of Writing, and Pastoral Care and Counseling. Earlham School of Religion is accredited by the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada.

In addition to its regular on-campus program, ESR also operates an ATS accredited, degree granting distance education program called ESR ACCESS.

The institution hosts a number of annual conferences and events including the "Spirituality Day," "Pastor's Conference," and a "Ministry of Writing Colloquium."

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.