FAQ

Th.D. Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why did Duke initiate the Th.D. program?
2. What is the difference between the Ph.D. in Religion and the Th.D. at Duke?
3. Is the Th.D. a degree that future employers will recognize, particularly in the academy?
4. How is the Th.D. different from the Doctor of Ministry degree offered at other schools?
5. How selective is the Th.D. program?
6. What is the minimum GRE score?
7. What should I highlight in the personal statement for my application?
8. Where can I gain a sense of ways to describe my focal research interest and how it might align with your faculty?
9. Is there a separate financial aid application?
10. When will I find out if I have been accepted?
11. If I am accepted, can I defer admission for a later year?
12. If I applied last year and was not accepted (or declined acceptance), how do I apply again?
13. How can I arrange a campus visit?
14. Is graduate housing available?
15. What do I do if I have additional questions?

1. Why did Duke initiate the Th.D. program?

Duke Divinity School initiated the Th.D. program, in part, so that students could take advantages of the faculty and resources gathered here for study in areas of Christian practice that are outside of the scope of typical Ph.D. programs—such as worship, preaching, evangelism, and the arts.

Another major interest in the inauguration and design of the Th.D. program was a desire to deepen the ways in which we cultivate scholars, teachers, and pastors who embody the integrative theological task—ranging across the boundaries between the traditional academic disciplines of biblical, historical, systematic, and ministerial studies to resource theological reflection on matters of faith and practice in Christian communities.

A third goal in launching the Th.D. was to encourage scholarly studies that probe the intersections of interest between Christian communities and the broader society, or theology and the broader university—such as theology and health care, the theological undergirding of peacemaking and reconciliation, and the like.

Overall, the Th.D. program seeks to recognize the pastoral, moral, and ecclesial passions that drive many of the most creative, bright individuals to seek disciplined doctoral work in the first place.

2. What is the difference between the Ph.D. in Religion and the Th.D. at Duke?

The Th.D. at Duke is a rigorous research degree, just like the Ph.D. The most immediate difference between the two is that the Ph.D. is awarded through and supported by the Graduate School of the University, while the Th.D. is awarded through and supported by the Divinity School.

Consistent with the makeup of the University Graduate Program in Religion, the Ph.D. covers the range of world religions, including Christianity. The Th.D. focuses on Christianity, with specific attention to the ministries and practices of Christian communities.

While many Duke Divinity School faculty members are also members of the University Graduate Program in Religion, the Th.D. allows students to pursue their study under the direction of any regular-rank Divinity faculty person—including those in disciplinary areas outside the purview of the Ph.D., such as evangelism and pastoral care.

3. Is the Th.D. a degree that future employers will recognize, particularly in the academy?

The Th.D. has a long history as the scholarly doctoral degree offered through a divinity school. The faculty at Duke Divinity School are committed to providing the same type of mentoring, counsel, and advocacy for the hiring of our Th.D. students as we do for students in the Ph.D. program. We believe that the Th.D. will be recognized broadly as a scholarly degree, parallel to our Ph.D. but with a different focus. Indeed we receive frequent inquiries from prospective employers interested specifically in our Th.D. candidates.

4. How is the Th.D. different from the Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) degree offered at other schools?

The D.Min is a “professional” degree, aimed at improving skills for pastoral ministry. The Th.D. is a scholarly degree, designed to equip students with research, teaching, and writing skills that can be used in a range of settings—from education, to church leadership, to theological writing and editorial roles.

D.Min. programs are also often designed for part-time, non-resident study. The Th.D. has the same expectation of full-time residency as the Ph.D. program at Duke.

5. How selective is the Th.D. program?

Since its initiation, the applicant pool for the Th.D. has grown significantly each year. The ratio of matriculations to applications for the 2009 entering class was about 1 in 12.

6. What is the minimum GRE score?

There is no specific minimum score. Students admitted to the Th.D. through our first four years had a mean GRE verbal score of 690 and a mean GRE quantitative score of 655.

7. What should I highlight in the personal statement for my application?

In addition to a brief summary of your preparation for doctoral studies, be sure to convey a clear sense of your focal research interest. It is also important to identify the persons on our faculty whom you perceive as contributing most directly to your course of study. We watch as well for expressions of interdisciplinary interests and commitment to scholarship that attends to and is in service of Christian communities.

8. Where can I gain a sense of ways to describe my focal research interest and how it might align with your faculty?

A sense of possible primary and secondary concentrations can be gained by consulting the profiles of current students. It is also helpful to read publications of our faculty and consult their description of their current research interests on their faculty page on the Duke Divinity School website. Finally, you could consider possible connections with the various Programs & Initiatives at Duke Divinity School, as described on our website.

9. Is there a separate financial aid application?

No. The information on your application for admission serves also for consideration of awards of tuition and stipend.

10. When will I find out if I have been accepted?

Applicants will be notified of their status early in the spring semester, usually by March 1.

11. If I am accepted, can I defer admission for a later year?

In the Th.D. program, as in Duke’s Ph.D. program, it is not possible to defer acceptance of admission. Admitted applicants who decide not to matriculate in the year for which admission is offered may reapply for admission at a later time. In such cases, there is no guarantee of readmission or of the financial aid package. Those who reapply will be considered in the competitive pool of applicants for the year in which they choose to reapply.

12. If I applied last year and was not accepted (or declined acceptance), how do I apply again?

The Admissions Office keeps all application materials for a period of three years, so you can draw on these materials in reapplying. You must fill out a new application form and pay the application fee. However, you may request, in writing, that supporting documents used for your prior application be used again, eliminating the need for resubmitting transcripts, recommendations, etc. Of course, you should update your application with any materials that will make it more current—such as transcripts showing any further academic work; perhaps an additional recommendation; revised personal statement; or new GRE or TOEFL scores, should you decide to retake these exams.

13. How can I arrange a campus visit?

Visits to explore your interest in the Th.D. program are at your expense. The Admissions Office will provide some help in organizing the visit.

14. Is graduate housing available?

Generally, on-campus housing is not available for graduate students, though there are some opportunities for graduate students to serve as Graduate Assistants in undergraduate dormitories. On-campus housing may be available to students with a documented disability. To inquire about this possibility, please contact the Duke Student Disability Access Office at 919-668-1329 or Todd Maberry, Divinity Disability Liaison, at 919-660-3428.

The admissions office of the Divinity School is able to provide accepted students with a list of rental properties and roommate requests. Additional help in finding off-campus housing can be found at Duke University Community Housing.

15. What do I do if I have additional questions?

Direct additional questions to the Admissions Office.