Admissions FAQs
Admissions
Can I apply online?
Yes! You may access our online application.
Am I too old to apply for Divinity School?
While Duke Divinity School has one of the youngest seminary student bodies in the country (our median age is 25), student ages range from 21 to 68.
Are doctoral programs offered through the Divinity School?
The Divinity School offers a Doctor of Theology (Th. D.) degree focused on the ministries and practices of Christian communities.
You may also be interested in the Ph. D. offered by the Graduate Program in Religion (GPR), a joint offering of Duke Divinity School and the Department of Religion. You may receive additional information by contacting Gay Trotter at (919) 660-3512.
May I request letters of reference before I submit my application?
Yes. Contact the individuals who will be writing a letter as soon as possible and tell them that their letter must arrive by your deadline. They may send their letters electronically if you choose to apply online. Please have your reference writers send their forms well ahead of your admission deadline. It is common for a person’s application to be held up because of a missing letter of reference. Give your reference writers plenty of time, and keep encouraging them to send the letter until you know it has arrived. You are also expected to contact the Admissions Office to inquire about the status of your file.
When will my application be considered?
Applications for the M.Div. degree are considered three times during the academic year: on November 1, February 1, and April 1 for August enrollment.
The application deadline for the M.T.S. degree is February 15 for August enrollment; for the Th.M. degree, March 1 for August enrollment.
The application deadline for the Th.D. degree is January 15. Special Student applications are due by July 1.
The deadline for international students applying to the M.Div. program is February 1, for the M.T.S. it is February 15, and for the Th.M. it is March 1.
Preference for merit-based scholarships is given to those students whose applications are complete by February 1.
There is no January enrollment. You are encouraged to apply early in the cycle as classes fill quickly.
Does my college major affect admissions decisions?
No. All undergraduate majors are considered. While a strong liberal arts background is very helpful for seminary, our students come from a variety of backgrounds and disciplines. Approximately 30 percent of our applicants have an undergraduate degree in religion.
Is an M.Div. required to pursue a Th.M. or Th.D., or will an M.A. suffice?
While the M.Div. degree is preferred, an M.T.S. M.A.R. or other equivalent master’s degree will suffice.
Must my requisite degree(s) (undergraduate and/or masters) be from a regionally accredited institution(s)?
Yes. Your school must be accredited by one of these institutions:
Association of Theological Schools
Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools
The Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges
North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Inc./Commission on Institutions of Higher Education
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools/Commission on Colleges
Western Association of Schools and Colleges/Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges
Western Association of Schools and Colleges/Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities
If you are unsure if your school is accredited, please check this Web site.
For the Th.M. program, your seminary degree must be from a school accredited by the Association for Theological Schools.
Is there a separate application for summer school?
A limited number of courses are offered each summer. If you wish to take one of these courses and do not wish to apply for a degree program, you must contact Paula Gilbert, Director of Duke University Continuing Studies and Summer School at (919) 684-2621.
Financial Aid
What is the cost of tuition?
Tuition is set at:
$15,860 for the 2007-2008 academic year for M.Div/MTS
$17,600 for the 2007-2008 academic year for Th.M.
$24,910 for the 2007-2008 academic year for Th.D.
How do I afford my education?
More than 90 percent of our students receive some form of financial aid. You may want to use a combination of scholarships, grants, loans, church support, and personal funds.
What do I need to know about scholarships?
The application for admission is also used for Divinity School scholarship decisions. Your admissions application will automatically place you in consideration for scholarships. However, we also encourage you to investigate and apply for several outside scholarships.
Please note that preference for merit-based scholarships is given to those students whose applications are complete before the January 15 deadline for M.Div. applicants.
M.T.S., Th.M., and Th.D. applicants must comply with their deadlines of February 15, March 1, and February 1, respectively.
Applications submitted online and paper applications are given equal consideration for scholarships.
Divinity School scholarships are very competitive. Decisions are based upon academic achievement, vocational clarity, and promise for ministry. Your undergraduate and/or graduate academic record carries a significant amount of weight in this process.
Where do Divinity students live?
The majority of our students live off campus, in apartments and homes. The Admissions Office is happy to provide you with apartment and roommate listings.
You may also refer to the Community Housing Office or call Linda Moiseenko at (919) 684-6711.
Divinity students may apply for a position on the residential life staff at Duke University. These employment opportunities provide students with a room in an undergraduate dorm and a stipend. Contact (919) 684-6313 for more information.
Miscellaneous
Are full day Divinity School visits offered during the summer?
No, full day visits are not offered during the summer. We want you to have the opportunity to interact with students and experience daily life in our school, instead of merely seeing our beautiful campus. While you are welcome to schedule an appointment to meet with the director of admissions during the summer months, you are strongly encouraged to visit when you can experience a full day in the life of our community.
How can I receive information about Duke Divinity School in the mail?
You may use the information request form or call the Admissions Office at (919) 660-3436 or toll-free at (888) GO-2-DUKE. We are happy to send you hard copies of our materials. You may also find this information on our website.
How is Duke Divinity School associated with Duke University?
The Divinity School is one of Duke University’s graduate and professional schools. As a student at the Divinity School you have access to the rich resources afforded to all students at Duke – including Duke Chapel, our impressive libraries and, of course, Duke basketball!
May I take a class if I am not enrolled in a degree program?
Yes, you may audit a course for $500. Applications for auditing are available through the Admissions Office. You will need permission from both the course professor and the Divinity School Registry Office (919) 660-3428.
Is the M.Div. degree limited to students who wish to be ordained?
Many of our M.Div. students are called to ordination. However, some of our students in the M.Div. program pursue other forms of ministry after graduation.
What percentage of students is accepted to the Divinity School?
The acceptance rate overall for the fall 2005 entering class was approximately 51%.