Jesuit School of Theology at Berkeley: History

The Jesuit School was established in 1934 as Alma College. Located in Los Gatos, California, it was founded to serve the needs of two Jesuit provinces, California and Oregon.

In February 1969, the school relocated to Berkeley to become one of the member schools of the Graduate Theological Union and placing it in close proximity to the University of California. The Board of Trustees voted to change the name of Alma College to the Jesuit School of Theology at Berkeley in June of 1969.

Today, the Jesuit School is one of only two Jesuit theological centers in the United States operated by the Society of Jesus. Aware of its own unique geographical and demographic location, the Jesuit School intends to be an international center for the culturally contextualized study of theology and ministry, and admits students from all over the world.

The Jesuit School is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, the American Association of Theological Schools, and by the Vatican Congregation of Catholic Education as an Ecclesiastical Faculty of Theology.