Field Education

Field education is central to Duke Divinity School’s M.Div. program. Through contextual learning in churches and organizations across the country and world, students practice the skills of ministry, discern God’s call on their life and vocation, and reflect theologically with an experienced supervisor.

Taylor Hines in a Duke sweatshirt near Duke chapel

"Theological education must have the practical experiences of field education in order to truly be a well-rounded and well-informed education. One approach to ministry that works in one setting may not be fruitful in the next. The revelation of our Triune God is that God is dynamic, fluid, and diverse. The same can be said for ministry and how we should approach the pastoral task."

General Guidelines

Two units of field education are required for graduation in the residential M.Div. degree program. Four placement periods are available: during the second and third academic years (part-time for 13-15 hours per week for 30 weeks for a total of 400 hours) and during the intervening two summers (full-time for 10 weeks for a total of 400 hours). A total of four funded placements through the Office of Field Education are allowed during the residential M.Div. program.

Residential M.Div. students may seek a placement through the Office of Field Education. Residential and hybrid M.Div. students may student-initiate placements under the guidelines of the Office of Field Education.

Hybrid M.Div. degree program students must complete at least 400 hours of field education through one or more units of no fewer than 200 hours each. Students working in a ministry setting may utilize that setting for one unit of field education. Hybrid M.Div. students choosing to pursue Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) may count it as up to 200 hours, but it cannot by itself fulfill field education requirements.

Placement Opportunities

Students are carefully placed in a wide variety of field education settings. Placement opportunities include:

Rural United Methodist Church placements throughout North Carolina
Nonprofit ministry settings that include, but are not limited to, camping ministries, prison ministries, community organizing, urban ministries, advocacy work, housing and homelessness, children’s homes, creation care/ecology placements, end-of-life care, and campus ministry settings
International opportunities in countries such as Kenya, Uganda, South Africa, El Salvador, Peru, and Mexico
Partner churches across the country that engage students in areas such as racial reconciliation, church planting, leadership development, community engagement and more
Church settings in Baptist, Anglican/Episcopal, Presbyterian, Mennonite, African Methodist Episcopal, African Methodist Episcopal Zion, and other denominational traditions
Clinical Pastoral Education
Student Pastorates - Students can meet some or all of their field education requirements if they are appointed as a pastor of a local church during their M.Div. education. These appointments are arranged by the appropriate denominational official or body, but students must register with the Office of Field Education and meet all of its requirements for graduation

Practical Experience in Ministry

Field Education gives you the opportunity to experience service in a variety of church and nonprofit settings to help you discern where your call is taking you and to help you acquire the practical knowledge that will help you in your future service.

Field Education at Duke Divinity School

Through contextual learning in churches and organizations across the country and world, students practice the skills of ministry, discern God’s call on their life and vocation, and reflect theologically with an experienced supervisor.

Latest Feature Articles

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February 27, 2025

Field Education Highlight: Al Dean Jr.

Dean believes it's vital to know the people and recognize the history of the places that he serves in ministry, and his field education placement at Mt. Bright Missionary Baptist Church in Hillsborough, N.C. gave him the space to build relationships and have courageous conversations.

January 10, 2025

Field Education Highlight: Jalen Garza

Jalen Garza is serving a field education placement at Duke Memorial United Methodist Church for the 2024-2025 academic year, giving her space to discern further her calling into pastoral ministry.

August 13, 2024

Students Pursue Passions in Summer Field Education Placements

M.Div. students at Duke Divinity School are offered the unique opportunity to serve in field education placements, fully immersing into a ministry context for the entire summer to learn practical skills from a trained supervisor to prepare for their future in ministry. See a few snapshots of what our students have been doing this summer.

Tuition Assistance

Field Education Stipends for Residential M.Div. Students

Through the generosity of the Rural Church Division of The Duke Endowment, based in Charlotte, N.C., placements in Endowment-eligible churches and agencies in North Carolina provide substantial stipend and tuition assistance for residential M.Div. students. The Duke Endowment-eligible placements provide $10,000 per student. Other placements for residential M.Div. students through the Office of Field Education also provide $10,000 in stipend and tuition assistance.

Communities of Learning

Connecting Congregations to Communities

Communities of Learning are collaborative, ecumenical, and geographical cohorts of students and ministry leaders committed to connecting congregations with their communities. Through this program, students who are serving in field education placements in a particular geographical area come together with local ministry and nonprofit leaders to work together on strengthening their communities.

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Find Forms & Policies

Find forms, policies, and other detailed information for churches, supervisors, mentors, and students.

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Field Education Calendar

Keep up-to-date on meetings, information sessions, and other dates related to field education placements. Current students can also view the Field Education calendar on the intranet (NetID required).

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