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 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.

Program Features

Your week 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.

Planning Your Week

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.

Dates

Study Leave is offered multiple terms each year.  Registration for the Winter/Spring 2012 term is full.  However, space is available for the following sessions:

  Program Dates
 Registration Deadline
Fall 2012 Sept. 17-21, 2012
Oct. 8-12, 2012
Oct. 22-26, 2012
Nov. 5-9, 2012
Nov. 12-16, 2012		 Aug. 6, 2012
Aug. 27, 2012
Sept. 10, 2012
Sept. 24, 2012
Oct. 1, 2012
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
Cost

Tuition costs are for each five-day term, with additional early arrival and late departure options available.

  Program Cost
 Early Arrival/Late Departure
Full Tuition $650 $105/day (optional)

Scholarship Tuition
Certain individuals are eligible for a $550 scholarship to attend Study Leave, thanks to the generosity of our funders:

  • Those serving rural churches eligible for grants from The Duke Endowment: Am I eligible? (pdf)
  • Those serving churches in the Western North Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church (courtesy of the Parish Ministry Fund)
  • Those participating in Group 1 of the Duke Clergy Health Initiative’s Spirited Life program
 $100 $55/day (optional)

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!”