Berkeley Divinity School, founded in 1854, is an official seminary of the Episcopal Church, based in New Haven, Connecticut.HistoryThe seminary was founded as a middle-way between the Anglo-Catholic–leaning General Theological Seminary in New York (itself based in New Haven for its 1821 term) and the Evangelical-leaning Virginia Theological Seminary. Although the school began in Middletown, Connecticut, it moved to New Haven in 1928 to take advantage of the resources of Yale University.In 1971, a formal agreement between Yale and Berkeley cemented their bond. Today, all students of Berkeley Divinity School are also students of Yale Divinity School. Approximately one third of Yale Divinity School's students undertaking the master's degree in divinity are members of Berkeley. Thus, Berkeley operates as a denominational seminary within an ecumenical divinity school. Students graduating from Berkeley Divinity School at Yale earn both a Masters of Divinity degree from Yale and a Diploma in Anglican Studies from Berkeley, certifying that they have received education specific to preparation for Holy Orders in the Episcopal Church.
"Berkeley Divinity School at Yale is the Episcopal seminary within Yale Divinity School. Berkeley is the only accredited Episcopal seminary to do its work within one of the world’s great universities. As a community within Yale, Berkeley enjoys the benefits of a comprehensive world-renowned faculty, a highly qualified and diverse student body, and libraries and facilities of the highest caliber. Berkeley students are formed by the centrality of daily worship, deliberate attention to the spiritual life, and a concentrated course of study in Anglican history and theology. For over 160 years, Berkeley Divinity School has prepared clergy, educators, and leaders to serve throughout the Church."
