Preaching Certificate

Program Code: D-PREACH-C
Degree Designation: Certificate
Department: Divinity School
Website: divinity.duke.edu/academics/certificates/preaching

Program Summary

Through this certificate in preaching, which can be earned alongside the residential and hybrid MDiv degree, students will engage deeply with both the theory and practice of preaching. The goal is to prepare students to be more faithful and effective preachers, as well as to equip students for ongoing critical reflection and growth in their preaching ministry.

Through advanced work in homiletics, the certificate is designed to help students grow in their ability to:

• read and preach the gospel with passion and faithfulness;

• prepare and preach sermons that have biblical, theological, contextual, and formal integrity;

• perform sermons that embody a theologically rich relation between preacher, congregation, and proclaimed gospel;

• reflect theologically and critically on the practice of preaching; and

• identify and explore issues that will enable their continued growth as preachers.

The certificate will not only be valuable for students planning to enter parish ministry, but also for students considering advanced work in homiletics.

Academic Requirements

• MDVR Student Pastor Requirements

  • CHURMIN 760 (Introduction to the Ministry of Preaching)

  • Preaching electives: Take at least 4 courses PREACHNG 700 and above

• MDVR Non-Student Pastor and MDVH Requirements

  • PREACHNG 758 (Introduction to Christian Preaching)

  • Preaching electives: Take at least 4 courses PREACHNG 700 and above