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.
Field Education Stipends
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/tuition assistance for residential M.Div. stueents. The Duke Endowment-eligible placements provide up to $8,000 per student in assistance. Other placements provide a minimum of $7,800 per student.
Communities of Learning
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.
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.
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 three 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 one of 2 units, but it cannot by itself fulfill field education requirements.
Field Education Calendar
Keep up-to-date on meetings, information sessions, and other dates related to field education placements. Also see the Academic Year Field Education Calendar (pdf).
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 and Mexico
- Partner churches across the country that engage students in areas such as racial reconciliation, church planting, leadership development, community engagement and more
- Local church settings in Baptist, Anglican/Episcopal, Presbyterian, Mennonite, 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