Theology, Medicine, and Culture Certificate
Program Code: D-TMC-C
Degree Designation: Certificate
Department: Divinity School
Website: divinity.duke.edu/academics/certificates/medicine
Program Summary
The Certificate in Theology, Medicine, and Culture will prepare Divinity School students for robust theological and practical engagement with contemporary practices in medicine and health care. The certificate can be pursued by students in the MDiv (residential and hybrid), MTS, ThM, or MA degree programs.
The certificate will be of special interest to students who will be working in parish-based settings and who wish to develop further competence and confidence engaging questions of suffering, illness, and the role of medicine; who are interested in serving as chaplains in a health care setting; who are trained or are pursuing training in the clinical disciplines (e.g., medicine, psychology, nursing, and social work); and/or who intend further study in bioethics or pastoral theology.
Academic Requirements
1 course of the TMC Two-Course Sequence: XTIANETH 761 or 763 (Health Care in Theological Context I & II)
1 or 2 elective courses that explore the intersections of theology, medicine, and culture. A comprehensive list of elective courses is available to students in the degree audit system.
MDiv, MTS, and ThM students will complete 2 elective courses.
MA students will complete 1 elective course.
Participation in a program, elective, or professional service that offers practical ministry-related experience in a health care setting.
Research paper that directly engages the intersection of theology, medicine, and culture. This paper may be done as part of a class and will ordinarily be presented publicly near the conclusion of the student’s degree program.
Regular participation in the semi-monthly TMC seminar. The schedule of these informal seminars is available from the TMC website and on the school’s calendar of events. Candidates for the certificate are expected to attend as many of these events as possible.