Duke Divinity School offers a variety of certificates that can be earned alongside our degree programs. These programs give students the opportunity to focus their coursework on a particular area of ministry or study.
We also offer the standalone Certificate in Theology and Health Care.
Some of the degree-based certificates enable students to receive more focused training in a particular denomination, such as the Certificate in Anglican Studies or the Certificate in Baptist Studies. Other certificates enable deeper engagement with particular social issues, such as the Certificate in Prison Studies and the Certificate in Gender, Sexuality, Theology and Ministry.
In addition to certificates available through Duke Divinity, Duke University offers a number of graduate certificates for master’s and doctoral degrees. Find out more about Duke certificates.
Current students may access certificate specifics and declare certificates on the Divinity School Intranet (NetID login required).

Certificate in Anglican Studies
The Certificate in Anglican Studies is designed to serve the academic and formational requirements of students preparing for Anglican/Episcopal ministry, lay and especially ordained. Students complete courses in Anglican Studies, at least one field education placement in an Episcopal/Anglican setting, and a program in Anglican spiritual formation.

Certificate in Baptist Studies
The Certificate in Baptist Studies addresses the academic and formational requirements of students preparing for lay and ordained ministry in the Baptist tradition. Students complete courses in Baptist Studies and have the opportunity to engage in Baptist spiritual formation and a field education placement in a Baptist setting.

Certificate in Black Church Studies
The Certificate in Black Church Studies, which can be earned as part of the M.Div., M.T.S., and Th.M. degrees, offers the opportunity for critical reflection, dialogue, and practice for students who are interested in the intersection of race, faith, and Christian witness, particularly in the tradition of Black churches.

Certificate in Chaplaincy
Duke Divinity offers a robust approach to chaplaincy through academic and formation experiences and high-quality contextual learning opportunities with partners including Duke University Hospital, Duke Chapel, and others. This certificate can be earned as part of a residential master's degree program.

Certificate in Christian Education
The Certificate in Christian Education supports students who are seeking to practice as church educators, teachers, college chaplains, youth workers, or healthcare workers. This program also satisfies ordination requirements for deacons and elders in the United Methodist Church and qualifies them for certificate in areas of Christian Education.

Certificate in Faith, Food, and Environmental Justice
The Certificate in Faith, Food, and Environmental Justice is designed for M.Div. and M.T.S. students seeking training and preparation for engaging faithfully in environmental justice work, agricultural production, healthy food access and food systems, creation care ministries, land use issues, policy advocacy, and environmental management.

Certificate in Faith-based Organizing, Advocacy, and Social Transformation
The Certificate in Faith-based Organizing, Advocacy, and Social Transformation is designed for students interested in campaigning and advocacy work, community organizing, community development, and related forms of social, political, and economic witness from a Christian basis.

Certificate in Gender, Sexuality, Theology, and Ministry
This program offers opportunities for women and men to expand their study of gender and sexuality in the life of the church, in the Christian tradition, and in contemporary culture. Students complete courses in gender studies, participate in a monthly colloquy, and complete a service or research project in the area of gender, sexuality, theology, and ministry.

Certificate in Latinx Studies
The Certificate in Latinx Studies is designed to provide theological and ministerial formation to students preparing for ministry with Hispanic/Latinx churches and communities in the U.S. Students in the program take courses in Latinx theology, participate in the Caminantes advanced spiritual formation program, and, in the case of M.Div. students, have at least one field education placement or contextual engagement project in a Hispanic/Latinx ministry setting

Certificate in Methodist/Wesleyan Studies
The Certificate in Methodist/Wesleyan Studies is for pan-Methodist/Wesleyan students who wish to engage in robust and intentional training in Wesleyan theology and spiritual practice in preparation for leadership positions in Methodist and Wesleyan churches, including the United Methodist Church, African Methodist Episcopal Church, African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, and Korean Methodist Church.

Certificate in Missional Innovation
The Certificate in Missional Innovation can be earned within the M.Div. degree and is intended to provide training in contextual evangelism and church planting for students interested in innovative forms of ministry.

Certificate in Preaching
The goal of this certificate is to prepare students to be more faithful and effective preachers, as well as to equip students for ongoing critical reflection and growth in their preaching ministry.

Certificate in Prison Studies
The certificate in Prison Studies provides students with the opportunity to engage specifically with people in prison and the system that imprisons them in the context of theological education and formation for ministry. Students complete courses on justice, including a Project TURN course taught on-site in a local prison, and engage in field education and spiritual formation.

Certificate in Reflective and Faithful Teaching
The Certificate in Reflective and Faithful Teaching offers students in the Doctor of Theology program opportunities for apprenticeship in the craft of theological education. Participants complete the Th.D. core seminar, participate in six interactive colloquia on pedagogy, undertake supervised teaching, and create a digital teaching portfolio for use in the job search.

Certificate in Theology and the Arts
The Certificate in Theology and the Arts (CTA) offers students firm grounding in the key theological loci and practices relevant to a lifetime’s engagement with the arts in the church, the university, and beyond.

Certificate in Theology, Medicine, and Culture
The Certificate in Theology, Medicine, and Culture prepares Duke Divinity students for robust theological and practical engagement with contemporary practices of medicine and community and public health. Students complete courses exploring the intersection of theology and medicine, participate in colloquia, and get practical experience engaging matters of health and illness.

Certificate in Worship
The Certificate in Worship prepares Duke Divinity students to engage in practical formation and theoretical reflection on the worship of God in Christian congregations. The certificate serves a variety of students who carry the responsibility of weekly worship planning and leadership for their congregations (as church musicians, worship leaders, pastors, or in other roles) and students interested in the interdisciplinary academic study of worship.