Application Materials

Prospective students must to apply online at divinity.duke.edu/admissions/how-apply by the appropriate deadline(s) listed on the website. A nonrefundable $55 application fee must be submitted after completing the application form in order to upload supplemental items noted below.

Required Materials for All Programs

Unofficial Transcripts
- All applicants must have, at minimum, an unofficial copy of their transcript from the college or university that granted or will grant their bachelor’s level degree.
- ThD, DMin, and ThM, applicants must, at minimum, additionally supply an unofficial copy of their transcript from the college or university that granted or will grant their master’s level degree.
- Additional coursework or degree information from previous colleges, universities, graduate schools, study abroad institutions, and seminaries may also be uploaded as part of the application.
- Transcripts must be uploaded as part of the online application. All students who are admitted and matriculate at Duke Divinity School must submit final transcripts showing that the minimally required degree has been granted before enrollment.
Resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV)
Recommendation Letters: The number and type of recommendation letters required vary by program. Please consult the program-specific information below.
Statement of Purpose: An essay is required for all programs. The length and content varies by program.
Program-specific materials: Refer to the section below regarding specific materials required for your degree program. All required supplemental materials must be submitted.

Residential or Hybrid Master of Divinity Program (MDiv) Application Requirements

Recommendation Letters: Three (3) letters of recommendation submitted through the online application system are required: 1 academic, 1 church, and 1 additional academic or church.
Writing Sample: Submit a 4-8 page academic writing sample such as an essay or excerpt from an academic paper or article. Attention to theological themes is desired. Include the title of the writing sample and provide context if an excerpt from a larger academic project, such as thesis.
MDiv/MPP Applicants must complete all requirements for applying to the MDiv program and submit an application to the Duke Sanford School of Public Policy.
MDiv/MSW applicants must complete all requirements for applying to the MDiv program and submit an application to the UNC Graduate School.

Master of Arts in Christian Practice Program (MA) Application Requirements

Recommendation Letters: Three (3) letters of recommendation submitted through the online application system are required: 1 academic, 1 church, and 1 additional academic or church.

Master of Theological Studies Program (MTS) Application Requirements

Recommendation Letters: Three (3) letters of recommendation submitted through the online application system are required: 2 academic, 1 personal/character or church.
Writing Sample: Submit a 4-8 page academic writing sample such as an essay or excerpt from an academic paper or article. Attention to theological themes is desired. Include the title of the writing sample and provide context if an excerpt from a larger academic project, such as thesis.
MTS/JD Applicants must complete all requirements for applying to the MTS program and submit an application to Duke Law School.

Master of Theology Program (ThM) Application Requirements

Recommendation Letters: Three (3) letters of recommendation are required: 2 academic, 1 personal/character or church.
Writing Sample: Submit a 5-10 page academic writing sample such as an essay or excerpt from an academic paper or article. Attention to theological themes is desired. Include the title of the writing sample and provide context if an excerpt from a larger academic project, such as thesis.

Doctor of Ministry Program (DMin) Application Requirements

Recommendation Letters: Four (4) letters of recommendation are required: 2 academic, 2 church.
Statement of Purpose: A two-page essay describing your goals in undertaking doctoral study, including an indication of your proposed focus.
Writing Sample: Submit an academic writing sample, no more than 15 pages (double-spaced) in length, such as an essay or excerpt from an academic paper or article. Attention to theological themes is desired. Include the title of the writing sample and provide context if an excerpt from a larger academic project, such as thesis.

Doctor of Theology Program (ThD) Application Requirements

Recommendation Letters: Four (4) letters of recommendation are required: 3 academic, 1 church.
Statement of Purpose: An essay of one to two pages (single spaced) describing your goals in undertaking doctoral study, the academic and life experiences that have prepared you for doctoral work, your proposed area(s) of focus, and your particular reasons for applying to the ThD program at Duke.
Writing Sample: Submit an academic writing sample, no more than 15 pages (double-spaced) in length, such as an essay or excerpt from an academic paper or article. Attention to theological themes is desired. Include the title of the writing sample and provide context if an excerpt from a larger academic project, such as thesis.
Official GRE Scores: Duke Divinity School has a test-optional policy for the GRE for students applying for admission to the Doctor of Theology program. If you are sending in scores, official GRE scores must be transmitted electronically from the Educational Testing Services (E.T.S.) to Duke (institution code 5156). E.T.S. will not send scores that are more than five years old; Duke Divinity School will not accept personal or paper score reports. Official GRE scores must arrive before the application deadline date to be considered with your application.

Certificate in Theology and Health Care Residential or Hybrid (CTHC) Application Requirements

Note: The Certificate in Theology and Health Care comes in two forms, the immersive residential and flexible hybrid. All who apply to the immersive residential will also be considered applicants to the TMC Fellowship.

Recommendation Letters: Two (2) letters of recommendation are required:
- Flexible Hybrid: 1 from a colleague or instructor, 1 personal/character or church.
- Immersive Residential: 1 academic, 1 personal/character or church.
Statement of Purpose: A three-page essay (1) reflecting on your vocation to health care in your current context as a practitioner OR, if you are in training, your vocation to and hopes for future work in health care; (2) describing your goals for enrolling in the CTHC and how you see the immersive residential or flexible hybrid format allowing you to pursue those goals; (3) integrating your reflection on a theological book(s) that has helped to shape your theological imagination; and (4) how you understand your goals and development of theological imagination in relation to the mission of Duke Divinity School to prepare leaders for the church, academy, and world.

Special Student (Nondegree) Application Requirements

Special student status is a restricted category of admission for people who do not have a need of a degree program and who desire access to the rich offerings of the Divinity School curriculum for particular purposes. Courses are taken for credit. International students are not eligible to apply for special student status due to visa restrictions. As such, special student status is only available to US citizens, permanent residents, or R-1 visa holders. Special student status is good for one calendar year only. A student desiring to continue as a special student beyond the one-year limit must reapply. Nondegree students are not eligible to apply for or receive federal financial aid or institutional scholarships.

Application requirements include:

Recommendation Letters: One (1) academic letter of recommendation submitted through the online application system is required.
Statement of Purpose: A one-page essay describing (1) your reason for wanting to take a course or courses for nondegree credit at Duke Divinity School; and (2) how you understand your vocational trajectory in relation to the mission of Duke Divinity School to prepare leaders for the church, academy, and world.

Admission as a special student is distinct from admission to a degree program. There is no obligation on the part of the Duke Divinity School to offer admission to any of its degree programs to people who have been previously accepted as special students. Special students participating in the Accelerated Pastoral Formation Program will follow the admissions and enrollment policies outlined for that program in consultation with their academic advisor and the Divinity School Office of Admissions.

Accelerated Pathway to the MDiv for Duke Divinity MTS and MA in Christian Practice Graduates

For special and extenuating circumstances, graduates of Duke Divinity’s MTS and MA can apply for access to an accelerated MDiv degree. Accepted students matriculate in the Fall to the MDiv program and must complete all requirements for the MDiv. Special and extenuating circumstances will typically be limited to new ordination or denominational requirements. Eligibility for course transfer will be reviewed by the Divinity School’s Registrar in accordance to the notation in the transfer credit policy.

Additional Requirements for International Applicants

In recognition of the invaluable contributions that students from outside the United States bring to theological discourse and to community life, Duke Divinity School welcomes all fully qualified international students to apply for all residential degree programs.

Language Test Scores for International Applicants: International applicants must either submit proof of English language proficiency or meet the Divinity School’s waiver criteria.
- Waiver Criteria: Applicants may be eligible for a waiver if they (1) graduated from an accredited undergraduate or graduate degree program in the United States within the last five years; or (2) graduated from an accredited English-medium post-secondary institution within the last five years; or (3) Studied full-time for at least two academic years at an accredited institution of higher education in the United States or English-medium institution post-secondary institution, within the last five years.
- Acceptable Tests
  - Test of English as Foreign Language (TOEFL) internet-based test (iBT): Official TOEFL scores must be transmitted electronically from the English Testing Services (ETS) to Duke using institution code 5156. No department code is required.
    - The Divinity School requires a cumulative score of 93, a minimum score of 23 in each subset for MDiv, MTS, and MA applicants.
    - The Divinity School requires a cumulative score of 108, with a minimum score of 27 in each subset for ThM and ThD applicants.
  - International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic: Official IELTS scores must be sent by the testing agency directly to: Duke Divinity School Office of Admission Box 90965 Durham, NC 27708.
    - The Divinity School requires a cumulative score of 6.5, a minimum score of 6.5 in each subset for MDiv, MTS, and MA applicants.
    - The Divinity School requires a cumulative score of 7.5, a minimum score of 7.5in each subset for MDiv, MTS, and MA applicants.
  - Duolingo English Test: There is no institutional code for Duolingo. Applicants need to select “Duke University” at the “Graduate” program type level as the institution to send scores. Score reports without sub-scores will not be accepted.
    - The Divinity School requires a cumulative score of 115 for MDiv, MTS, and MA applicants.
    - The Divinity School requires a cumulative score of 130 for MDiv, MTS, and MA applicants.
- Test Validity: Score reports are valid for two years. Scores will be considered expired if the test was taken more than two years prior to the application deadline.

Additional Requirements for Transfer Applicants

All transfer applicants are evaluated on the same basis as other applicants. However, students applying to transfer from another seminary or theological school must include the following:

Statement of Purpose: Applicants must include an extra page in their essay that provides an explanation of and purpose for the proposed transfer.
Letter of recommendation: A fourth letter of recommendation is required with the application materials. It must be written by the director of field education or student life at the school from which the transfer is sought.

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