The School of Divinity (WFUSD) and the Department of Education offer a dual graduate degree that 1) promotes interdisciplinary conversation between theological education, public education, and community engagement; and 2) provides students pathways for developing skills and acquiring competencies necessary for achieving excellence in careers where religious leadership and education intersect. This degree provides distinctive vocational perspectives and opportunities not available separately in the education or divinity degree programs.
The dual degree curriculum includes foundational requirements from both divinity and education. It is estimated that the time required to complete the dual degree is seven semesters and two summer sessions. Students complete 56 credits of core requirements in MDiv courses and 39 credits of core requirements in MAEd courses. The total number of required credits is 95. Integrative components include an education internship in a context approved by the Master of Arts in Education program in conversation with WFUSD’s Art of Ministry (internship) director and a capstone requirement that either through research or an advanced internship encourages students to consider connections between the two fields of study. Advisers from both degree programs work with students to determine an elective course strategy that most effectively prepares each student to succeed as a religious leader who is also a public educator.
Candidates for the dual degree must apply both to the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences and the School of Divinity, following the admissions’ requirements of the respective programs, and be accepted to each program in order to pursue the dual degree. A joint committee consisting of faculty/staff representatives both from divinity and education will make final determinations about an applicant’s suitability for the dual degree. Students accepted to the dual degree program will be awarded a partial tuition scholarship covering approximately 75% of the total cost of tuition during the academic year and a full tuition scholarship during the summer semesters. The current cost of tuition can be accessed at http://grad.financialaid.wfu.edu/cost-of-attendance/.
Typical Program Outline
| Fall | Spring | Summer | |
| Year One | Divinity | Divinity | Education (12 hrs) |
| Year Two | Mainly Education | Education | Education (6 hrs) |
| Year Three | Divinity | Divinity | |
| Year Four | Divinity |
Note: Year Two and Year Three are interchangeable.
For more information, please contact Leah McCoy, Graduate Program Director in Education.