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.

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.

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.

For many students, like Samira Foster, M.Div. '27, field education is their first opportunity to work in a ministry setting and is an invaluable component of their theological education. These placements involve serving in contextual learning opportunities in churches, nonprofits, and other settings under the guidance of a trained supervisor.

Logan Pollock, M.Div. '25, served his field education placement at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in southwest Durham, where Rev. Stephen Elkins-Williams was his supervisor.

Duke Divinity students, serving as interns in churches across the country as part of their field education requirement, will also participate in a Community of Learning.