The Certificate in Catholic Studies engages students in the study of the global Catholic experience, practices, and teachings over the centuries and in the present. Through the certificate, students participate in both spiritual and intellectual formation within a cohort, helping prepare them for further Catholic studies and engagement or lay ecclesial ministry in the Catholic church.

The certificate can be earned alongside the residential M.Div. and M.T.S. degrees.

Janet Martin Soskice headshot in red shirt and red paisley scarf

“Duke Divinity School has long history of ecumenism and of outreach to the Catholic church. Here students, Catholic or non-Catholic, can find a vibrant center of Catholic intellectual life, encompassing early church, medieval and early modern thought, as well as strong philosophical and ethical offerings, and theology through the arts.”

Janet Martin Soskice, William K. Warren Distinguished Research Professor of Catholic Theology

Certificate Programming

The programming of the certificate combines academics with experiential and formational growth. Requirements include courses in Catholic Studies, participation in Catholic fellowship, and, for M.Div. students, a field education placement in a Catholic setting or other project of engagement in Catholic ministry, leadership, or education.

Students need not be Roman Catholic to earn the certificate; Catholic is defined as being in communion with the bishop of Rome even though it is recognized that many other tributaries besides the Latin and Roman one contribute to the Catholic tradition.

Promoting Catholic Learning at Duke University

The Fons Vitae Catholic Initiative

Duke Divinity School also hosts the Fons Vitae initiative, which seeks to deepen the Catholic intellectual presence and its cross-disciplinary engagement in the Duke University community and to serve as a Catholic think-tank at the service of all people of goodwill in our region and beyond.

Learn More about Fons Vitae

Certificate Requirements

Beginning Fall 2024, find detailed information about requirements and courses for current students (NetID required) »

For more information about the certificate, contact:
Peter Casarella
Professor of Theology
peter.casarella@duke.edu

  • Three courses in Catholic studies or related studies from the approved list of courses in the detailed requirements information
  • A minimum of two semesters of participation in Catholic fellowship
  • One field education placement in a Catholic setting (parish or school) or an equivalent self-initiated, contextually based project of engagement in Catholic ministry, leadership, or education as approved by the certificate director and the Office of Field Education.

  • Three courses in Catholic studies or related studies from the approved list of courses in the detailed requirements information
  • A minimum of two semesters of participation in Catholic fellowship
  • A 500-word essay explaining how the student's coursework integrates with current vocation/work with specific reference to the Certificate in Catholic Studies (or a thesis or a Capstone experience). 
Peter Casarella in white button-down shirt with trees in background

“In the recent past Catholic students or even those just interested in the traditions of learning associated with Catholicism have received superb offerings at Duke Divinity. New here is the opportunity to earn a certificate and undertake spiritual and intellectual formation in Catholic Studies with a cohort. Catholic fellowship adds a much-needed dimension to the Divinity School’s long-standing ecumenism and will greatly help master’s students seeking to advance to Catholic graduate schools or lay ecclesial ministry in the Catholic Church.”

Peter Casarella, Professor of Theology