Find answers to common questions about classes and policies.
A student may be approved to take five classes or overload their schedule by petitioning the Associate Dean for Academic Programs. The email petition should list the five classes you would like to take and briefly describe why you would like to take the extra class, and how you plan on handling the extra work load.
Since a Divinity student can only be enrolled in four classes at a time, unless you have received permission to overload (see previous question), you will need to drop a class that you are currently enrolled in to add the new class. (If you are having problem with dropping the fourth class from your record see "How do I drop a class from my schedule?" below.)
The Divinity school is not authorized to process official transcripts. However, the transcript fee Duke University automatically charges you allows you to request multiple copies of your transcript and have them sent wherever is most convenient. Visit the registrar's website to begin processing your request.
Once you have decided to change to part-time status, you must notify the Director of Academic Formation and Programs to have your record display your new status. Once the Office of AFP has received this information and updated your record to reflect the change, your bursar bill will automatically be updated within the next couple of days.
If you suspect there is an error on your account you may contact the Office of Academic Formation and Programs, and your record will be reviewed for any errors. If an error is detected, the bursar office will be contacted. Please note, if you drop or add a class it will take a couple of business days for your bill to be updated. Also, if you have switched programs or changed to part-time status, this will also take a few business days to be processed.
In the Divinity Bulletin, the Conduct Covenant is outlined, in which is included a grade review process.
In the Divinity Bulletin, the Conduct Covenant outlines processes for addressing and resolving such concerns.
On the Divinity School forms page, use the "Audit Form for Currently Enrolled Students" to take a class without receiving credit. If you are a full-time student (taking three or more classes), you are able to audit classes for no fee.
On the Divinity School forms page, use the "Pass-Fail Form" in order to change the grading on a course to pass/fail. This form requires the signature of your instructor, and both forms should be turned in to the location indicated.
If you access your bookbag in ACES, you should be able to scroll down to the bottom of the page and see an option to drop classes. From there, you can select the class you would like to drop and then confirm the drop. Students are able to make changes to their schedule through ACES through the drop/add period (typically the first week of September for the fall semester and the end of January for the spring semester).
Divinity students are allowed, in consultation with their faculty advisors, to take up to two graduate level courses in other departments of Duke University or at other local universities. To enroll for Duke classes outside of the Divinity School, students are able to register directly through ACES, though students may need to secure the permission of the instructor and/or department. To enroll in a course at another local university, you must complete the interinstitutional approval form available from the Registrar's office website and submit it as indicated in the form.
Permission for more than two such courses must be secured from the Associate Dean for Academic Programs. Courses in Duke’s Department of Religion do not count within this limit.
Students who wish to transfer in classes should contact the Director of Academic Formation and Programs. Students will be expected to provide an official transcript, a syllabus from the course, and any other relevant documents. The transfer credit requirements as stated in the Divinity Bulletin are as follows:
Transfer of credit to the Divinity School of Duke University, leading to candidacy for the degree of Master of Divinity, will normally be limited to four courses. For the MTS program, two courses may be considered for transfer. Courses in which the student received a grade lower than B- will not be considered for transfer credit. Grades from credit transfer courses do not transfer to the Divinity School, only course credits. Courses taken online or mostly online will also not be accepted. Duke Divinity will accept only courses completed at an ATS accredited school or APCE accredited CPE program, unless an exception is granted by the associate dean for academic formation. Courses completed more than five years prior to the intended date of enrollment will not be considered for transfer credit. Credits cannot be transferred until after a student matriculates in the degree program at the Divinity School.
You can use the "Academic Petition for the Grade of Incomplete" form on the Forms page to petition the Associate Dean for Academic Programs to receive a grade of incomplete in a course. This petition must be turned in to the registry (108 Gray) on or before the last official day of classes of the semester in question. Such permission may be granted when a student, through some circumstances beyond control, such as illness, has been hindered from meeting the course requirements. Adjudication of the petition will rest with the associate dean and the instructor concerned. An incomplete becomes either an F or a permanent incomplete unless it is removed through completion of assigned work by the following dates: for incompletes incurred in Fall semester courses, February 1; for incompletes incurred in Spring semester courses, September 1; and for incompletes incurred in Summer semester courses, October 1.
M.Div. and M.T.S. students may, on the basis of undergraduate courses, a religion major, or other substantial preparation, be given advanced placement in one or more of the nine required subjects. Such placement normally presumes at least two college courses in a given area (e.g., Old Testament) with a satisfactory grade average and permits the student to fulfill the requirement by electing an advanced course in the same area (e.g., an advanced Old Testament course in place of Old Testament 752). Advanced placement must be granted by the division chair and cannot occur until after a student matriculates into a Divinity School degree program. Courses taken for advanced placement cannot simultaneously count as a limited elective.
Please use the "Advanced Placement Form" on the Forms page to make your request. Note: This form must be signed by the Division Chair of the class for which a student wishes to receive advanced placement.
Once you are signed in to ACES, you can click the option under "Academics" that says "My Class Schedule." Once you click this, you should see your schedule displayed in a list format. Click "Weekly Calendar view." This schedule should now display your classes in the weekly format, with times and classrooms. If you scroll to the bottom of thepage you will see some options to change the display, ex., "Add instructor name," etc.
During orientation, new students will be shown how to sign on to the student site (ACES) and how to register for classes. There is no reason to worry about scheduling your required classes as there is a large block reserved for incoming students.
You will find all important dates on the Divinity Academic Calendar.
You can change your advisor at any given time during your Divinity career by accessing the "Advisor Change Request Form" on the forms page. This form requires your current advisor’s signature and the consent of the advisor you are changing to. After completing the form. please submit it to the Office of Academic Formation and Programs (108 Gray) for processing.
If you switch into a new class after the semester begins, it will take some time for you to be added to the instructor’s roster. If the semester has not yet begun, you should wait to address the problem until the course begins. The instructor may not yet have the site running. It is also possible that an instructor will choose not to use Sakai. If the problem persists you may contact help@oit.duke.edu.
You are always welcome to contact the Office of Academic Formation and Programs with questions about your schedule. You can also set up an appointment by sending an email to academics@div.duke.edu with your schedule and reason for your meeting. An appointment will be set with Kori Robbins, Duke Divinity School's registrar.
To begin the process of switching programs, you will need to contact the Admissions Office at the Divinity School. They will begin processing your request and set up a meeting for you to discuss your thoughts with the director. Typically, students will be expected to provide a one-page essay explaining the reason for the program transfer, as well as a letter of support from a faculty member. If Admissions approves the change, the Office of Academic Formation and Programs will be notified and your record will be changed.
The Office of Academic Formation and Programs (108 Gray) can process this request for you. However, we must have some form of legal documentation in order to make the change. Forms that are accepted include a marriage license (a copy is fine) or a driver’s license that displays your changed name. This information will be sent on to the University Registrar. If you are a male, and you would like your student account to change your status from Single to Married, you must also provide legal documentation.
The legal documentation can also be sent directly to the University Registrar (registrar@duke.edu, fax number: 919-684-4500), and they will be able to make the appropriate change for you.
Students are welcome to contact the Director of Academic Formation and Programs, at any time with questions or inquiries about disability accommodations.
Duke University and the Divinity School are committed to equality of educational opportunities for qualified students with disabilities in compliance with Section 504 of the Federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. A student seeking information regarding documentation, guidelines, and procedures for receiving consideration for reasonable accommodations should contact the university’s Office of Services for Students with Disabilities at (919) 668-1267 or online at www.access.duke.edu.
It is a very good idea to consult your advisor, the Director of Academic Formation and Programs, and whomever else you feel comfortable with about making this decision. A student wishing to take a leave of absence for one or two semesters, and intending to return to a degree program in the Divinity School, should notify the Associate Dean for Academic Programs, Dean Sujin Pak, in writing in advance. Students may take a leave of absence for personal or medical reasons. Students who wish to take a medical leave of absence must provide the Office of Academic Formation and Programs with medical documentation. A student who wishes to take a leave of absence beyond one full academic year must petition for an exception from the Associate Dean for Academic Programs.
Of course. Being a student at the Divinity School can be a challenging time, especially as students try to balance work, marriage, and their personal life along with their studies. The Divinity School provides several options so that students are equipped with counseling and support throughout their career. Students are always welcome to contact the Office of Student Life, the chaplain’s office, or the Office of Academic Formation and Programs to receive advice and support regarding their current situation.
Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) is a component of student services that provides a coordinated, comprehensive range of counseling and developmental services to assist and promote the personal growth of Duke students. The professional staff is composed of psychologists, clinical social workers, and psychiatrists experienced in working with students of all ages. Appointments may be made by calling (919) 660-1000 or coming by to the office in 214 Page Building, West Campus, between 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Located in the Duke Women’s Center, the Office of Sexual Assault Support Services offers advocacy, support, information resources in the university, and a crisis information and referral line for victims of sexual assault and past sexual violence. You can reach them at (919) 681-6882.