The dual programs each save students one full year of study in comparison to completing each degree separately.

“Faith institutions are essential partners in confronting environmental challenges, including climate change, because they shape values, mobilize communities and inspire action at scale,” said Lori Bennear, Stanback Dean of the Nicholas School. “This concurrent degree program bridges environmental science and management with theology and moral leadership, preparing students to turn knowledge into impact and values into durable solutions.”

The Nicholas School’s M.E.M. program prepares students for impactful careers at the intersection of environmental policy, scientific research and community engagement. The M.F. program, in turn, provides a rigorous foundation in forest science and management, integrating structured theoretical training with hands-on, practical experience in sustainable forest stewardship. 

“These new academic pathways are clear signs that, when it comes to interdisciplinarity, Duke walks the walk,” said Duke Divinity School Dean Edgardo Colón-Emeric. “I rejoice that this collaboration between the Nicholas School and the Divinity School will advance the formation of students for faithful service in environmental justice work, creation care ministries, policy advocacy, and environmental management.”

Duke Divinity School has for many years offered degree-based certificates in Faith, Food and Environmental Justice and in faith-based advocacy and boasts faculty that include Norbert Wilson, who is director of the Duke World Food Policy Center, professor of public policy at Duke’s Sanford School of Public Policy, and professor of food, economics & community at the Divinity School; and Norman Wirzba, Gilbert T. Rowe Distinguished Professor of Christian Theology the Divinity School, senior fellow at Duke’s Kenan Institute for Ethics, and former director of research for the Office of Climate and Sustainability at Duke.

Faculty from the Nicholas School and Duke Divinity have also collaborated on programs at the Duke Marine Lab in Beaufort, N.C. focused on pastoral care for climate change. 

“Faith communities and their leaders are often uniquely situated to address environmental issues ranging from food and energy security to resilient infrastructure,” said Wirzba. “These dual degree programs will directly benefit students from both schools while they are at Duke, and then far beyond when they take up leadership roles in their communities and places of work.” 

Interested students should contact the Divinity School Admissions Office or the Nicholas School Admissions Office for questions about application and admissions requirements, the Nicholas School registrar for questions about degree and registration requirements, and the Nicholas School Financial Aid Office for questions about concurrent degree tuition and financial aid.