Study Leave for Ministry Professionals
Find the time to read, reflect, research, or just relax with Study Leave for Ministry Professionals.
Over the span of five to seven days, participants can immerse themselves in learning and renewal through self-directed study, worship and prayer on the Duke University campus.
This flexible program is designed for Christian institutional leaders, pastors, program staff, and laity, and can cost as little as $100. You select the study topic. We provide all the resources you'll need to make your week as productive as possible.
Your time at Study Leave includes the following amenities and resources:
Duke Divinity School Community Activities
You are invited to participate in lectures, community worship and other events taking place within the Divinity School or Duke University. Special arrangements can be made for you to audit courses or meet privately with Divinity School faculty.
Continuing Education Units
Each hour spent studying, auditing a class, meeting with faculty, worshipping or researching is worth 0.1 Continuing Education Units. Twenty hours of study are expected during the week, for a minimum award of 2.0 CEUs.
Accommodations
Four nights of accommodations at the Homewood Suites in Durham are included in the program cost. Additional nights are available, should you wish to extend your stay.
Meals
Each participant receives a $75 stipend on a DukeCard to use for meals during the program.
Library Access
Enjoy full borrowing privileges at any of Duke’s libraries.
Gym Access
Enjoy access to Duke’s Wilson Recreation Center, including fitness classes, swimming pool, and more, using your DukeCard stipend.
Parking
Receive complementary access to parking, enabling you to visit Duke on your schedule.
Many Study Leave participants come back year after year, building on their experience. Ideal candidates for Study Leave are those who have a clear idea of the topic they wish to explore and who will plan their time to include many aspects of the campus experience.
Not sure what you want to study? Here are a few examples from recent participants:
I would like use this time and Duke's resources to explore new ways to explore and celebrate Advent and Lent. Too often these liturgical seasons become little more than countdowns to Christmas and Easter. We fail to fully take advantage of the opportunities for preparation and introspection. I would like to find ways to make these season more meaningful and relevant in the lives of our churches.
***
I am a young pastor, husband, and father of three young children looking for an escape to work on my final ordination papers. My hope is to utilize the Divinity School library and connect with a few professors to better prepare me for my board interviews.
***
I would like to study hymn writers, both the poets and the musicians. I would like to learn about the place of hymns in church history, hymn development over the centuries, and specific hymn genres. The purpose of this study is to create workshops for local churches and church groups that will excite them about the use of hymns in the church.
***
My goal is to reflect on my call and disciplined life. I would also like to be able to read 1-2 books during my time and review the theological and preaching periodicals in the library.
Building on a basic itinerary and your proposed plan of study, we can work with you to incorporate conversations with faculty or lectures to augment your experience.
Tuition costs are for each five-day term, with additional early arrival and late departure options available. Accommodations are included in your registration. Please contact us if you will not need a hotel room during your stay.
The program cost for the special Post-Easter Renewal Session (April 21-27, 2014) includes two additional nights of accommodations.
| Program Cost | Optional Early Arrival/Late Departure | |
Full Tuition
|
$650 |
$105/day |
Scholarship Tuition
Scholarship Tuition is available for:
|
$100 |
$55/day |
Study Leave is offered multiple times each year.
The special Post-Easter Renewal Session of Study Leave (April 21-27, 2014) includes two additional days on campus, beginning on Monday with supper and orientation at the Homewood suites, and concluding with worship together on Sunday in Duke Chapel, followed by a boxed lunch and closing program. Following the pressures of the busy Lenten season, we invite you to consider giving yourself this additional Sabbath time with us.
To register, click on the session you wish to attend. Sessions without links have closed or are currently full. If the session you are interested in attending is no longer accepting registrations, please contact us to inquire about being added to a wait list.
| Program Dates | Registration Deadline | |
| Winter/Spring 2013 | Jan. 21-25, 2013 Feb. 4-8, 2013 Feb. 25 – Mar. 1, 2013 Mar. 4-8, 2013 Apr. 1-5, 2013 | Dec. 10, 2012 Dec. 24, 2012 Jan. 14, 2013 Jan. 21, 2013 Feb. 18, 2013 |
| Fall 2013 | Sept. 16-20, 2013 Sept. 30-Oct. 4, 2013 Oct. 21-25, 2013 Nov. 4-8, 2013 Nov. 11-15, 2013 | Aug. 5, 2013 Aug. 19, 2013 Sept. 9, 2013 Sept. 23, 2013 Sept 30, 2013 |
| Winter/Spring 2014 | Jan. 20-24, 2014 Feb. 3-7, 2014 Feb. 24-28, 2014 Mar. 24-28, 2014 Apr. 21-27, 2014 (Post-Easter Renewal Session) | Dec. 9, 2013 Dec. 23, 2013 Jan. 13, 2014 Feb. 10, 2014 Mar. 10, 2014 |
Participant Feedback
“I absolutely love the self-directed, open, flexible structure. This is what keeps me coming back year after year.”
“The program's length was short enough to exact energy and excitement to complete my set goals and long enough to convince me the work that I had chosen to focus on was worthwhile and necessary to continue.”
“The reflection time with Dr. Wacker was a true joy! He directed me toward reading and current research/work that will keep me busy and entertained for months to come.”
“I have recommended this to every pastor I know!”