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Certificate in Theology and the Arts

Program Code: D-TA-C
Degree Designation: Certificate
Department: Divinity School
Website: divinity.duke.edu/academics/certificates/certificate-theology-and-arts

Program Summary

The Certificate in Theology and the Arts aims to provide Duke Divinity School students a firm grounding in the biblical resources, key theological loci, and practices of art making and reception relevant to a lifetime’s engagement with the arts in the church, the university, and beyond.

Academic Requirements

This certificate is open to students in the MDiv (hybrid and residential), MTS, MA, and ThM degree programs. Courses may be taken in any order.

THM, MTS, and MDVR Requirements

  • 3 Courses

    • Must include either XTIANTHE 773 or XTIANTHE 972

    • A comprehensive list of elective courses is available to students in the degree audit system.

  • Project: Completion of a research or service-learning project in theology and the arts. The project may be conducted in one of the following ways:

    • within a course (but not within any of the three courses that fulfill the previous requirement)

    • within a directed study

    • as an internship with a director of music or arts pastor at a church

    • as an independent community-building project

    • within the context of a field education placement

  • Participation in Events

    • Regular participation in bimonthly certificate colloquies and events sponsored by Duke Initiatives in Theology and the Arts

MDVH Requirements

  • 3 Courses

    • Must include XTIANTHE 773

    • A comprehensive list of elective courses is available to students in the degree audit system.

  • Project: Completion of a research or service-learning project in theology and the arts. The project may be conducted in one of the following ways:

    • within a course (but not within any of the three courses that fulfill the previous requirement)

    • within a directed study

    • as an internship with a director of music or arts pastor at a church

    • as an independent community-building project

    • within the context of a field education placement within Formation for Ministry

  • Participation in Events

    • Regular participation in bimonthly certificate colloquies and events sponsored by Duke Initiatives in Theology and the Arts

MACP Requirements

  • 2 Courses

    • Must include XTIANTHE 773

    • A comprehensive list of elective courses is available to students in the degree audit system.

  • Arts Assignment in a Non-Arts class

    • Completion of one assignment related to theology and the arts for a non-theology and the arts course, with permission from the instructor.

  • Participation in Events

    • Regular participation, if feasible, in bimonthly CTA colloquies and DITA-sponsored events.

  • Vocational Integration Essay

    • Completion of a 500-word summary of how coursework integrates with current vocation, with specific reference to the certificate in theology and the arts.