Admissions
Is Duke Divinity the right fit? As you learn about our faculty, our life of worship and spirituality, our community, and our initiatives and centers, the more you will be able to effectively discern the answer to that very important question.
Contact the Office of Admissions staff with any questions – you can call (888) GO-2-DUKE, e-mail us at admissions@div.duke.edu, and definitely come visit our campus. If Duke Divinity is right for you, come be a part of all that God is doing in and through us!
— Rev. McKennon Shea, Director of Admissions
Attending Duke Divinity School
The Divinity School offers four basic theological master’s degrees: the Master of Divinity, the Master of Arts in Christian Practice, the Master of Theological Studies, and the Master of Arts in Christian Studies, and one advanced-level Master of Theology degree.
The school also offers both a Doctor of Ministry and a Doctor of Theology program as well as two dual-degree programs: a Master of Divinity/Master of Social Work with the UNC-Chapel Hill School of Social Work and an Master of Theological Studies/Juris Doctor with the Duke School of Law.
Those who desire to pursue studies leading to a Ph.D. in religion are advised to apply to the dean of the Duke Graduate Program in Religion.
Students are taught by our distinguished faculty from many traditions.
In addition to its many academic programs, the Divinity School has launched significant initiatives & centers that combine scholarship with service.
Spiritual Formation Program
The curriculum of Duke Divinity School seeks to cultivate a life of worship, study and service. Integral to this commitment is spiritual formation. First-year students pursuing a master of divinity or master of theological studies are assigned to small, intentionally diverse groups that gather weekly to pray, share concerns and explore practices of spiritual discipline.
Worship Life
Students, faculty and staff share leadership for an array of worship services that embrace the rich musical and artistic traditions of the church: services of preaching, Holy Communion, morning prayer, healing, reconciliation, testimony and revival. Scheduling worship at the center of the academic day encourages students, faculty and staff to continue in fellowship over lunch.
Celebrate Fellowship
“Here at Duke Divinity School, we are committed to the very ancient idea that in order to be a person for others, you have to be with others,” says Willie J. Jennings, Ph.D.’93, assistant research professor of theology and black church studies.
“You have to be there in the classroom, in the hallway, at worship, and at meals. All that is fundamental to being a servant leader.”
Whether you serve in a church, hospital, prison, campus ministry, homeless shelter or one of many other settings, contextual learning is an integral part of your Duke Divinity School preparation for ministry.
Two units of field education are required for the M.Div. degree. One will be in the context of a local church, but the other may be completed in an extension or specialized ministry.
Duke Divinity School’s student body consists of about 550 students from 35 states and nine foreign countries. Approximately 50 percent of the student body is United Methodist, 13 percent is Baptist, and other students come from more than 30 different denominations in the Christian faith.
Our students range in age from the 20s to the 60s. Duke Divinity School has one of the youngest student bodies in the country, with a median age of 26. Currently, the student body is 55 percent male and 45 percent female. More than 24% of Duke Divinity School entering students represent minority ethnic or cultural groups.
Visit Duke Divinity School
The best way for you to learn about Duke Divinity School is to come and spend time with us. Experiencing a day in the life of our community will help you discern whether Duke Divinity School is the best fit for your theological education and preparation for ministry.
Duke Divinity School is pleased to host prospective masters students for full day visits on the following days in the fall of 2011. Full day visits begin at 8:15 in the morning (if prospective students want to attend Morning Prayer they need to arrive before 8:00 a.m.) and conclude at approximately 3:00 in the afternoon. Please note that these visit days are intended for those interested in the M.Div, M.T.S., MACS and Th.M. degree programs. If you are interested in the Th.D., D.Min., or MACP please call to set up an individual appointment.
A full day visit will give you the opportunity to attend class, worship with us, meet with Director of Admissions, Rev. McKennon Shea, as well as our field education and financial aid directors, and have lunch with a current student.
Schedule a visit in the spring:
From the evening of March 14 through 3:30 p.m. on March 15 the Office of Black Church Studies and the Office of Admissions will host an additional visit opportunity for prospective students of color.
From the evening of March 21st through 3:30 p.m. on March 22nd the Divinity Women’s Center and the Office of Admissions will host Women in Ministry Day, an additional visit opportunity for women who are admitted or prospective students.
Please call our office at (888) GO-2-DUKE or (919) 660-3436 to schedule your visit at least two weeks in advance. Please make sure you have confirmed your visit with our office before making travel arrangements as some visit days fill quickly.