Degree Programs
Candler School of Theology offers four degrees:
- the Master of Divinity (MDiv) is a professional degree for persons preparing for service in the parish or for other forms of ministry
- the Master of Theological Studies (MTS) curriculum serves persons who wish to explore disciplines within theology and religion, without the objective of preparing for the ordained ministry
- the Master of Theology Degree (ThM) is a one-year program of study beyond the master of divinity. The ThM is designed for students who wish to deepen their knowledge in a particular area of study in order to enhance their vocation or ministry. The ThM is intended both for international students who wish to broaden their education through the experience of studying abroad and for domestic students who wish to gain greater expertise in an area of ministry or study.
- the Doctor of Theology in Pastoral Counseling (ThD) prepares persons for the ministry of pastoral counseling at the doctoral level by combining rigorous academic and theological work with supervised clinical practice. The degree is an equivalent of the PhD, designed for those whose interest in pastoral counseling is primarily professional
Candler also offers six joint degrees:
- MDiv/MBA
- In collaboration with Emory’s Goizueta Business School, Candler offers a joint Master of Divinity and Master of Business Administration degree. The MDiv/MBA program is a four-year program, or one year shorter than if the degrees were pursued separately. Applicants apply to Candler and Goizueta separately, and if accepted to both schools, can enroll in the joint degree program. Goizueta Business School requires that all applicants take the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT). Students typically start their first year at Candler, spend their second year at Goizueta, and then alternate between the schools for years three and four. Financing is coordinated between the two schools.
- MTS/MBA
- A joint Master of Theological Studies and Master of Business Administration (MTS/MBA) is offered in cooperation with the Goizueta Business School. This program allows the MTS and MBA degrees to be earned in three years instead of the usual four to attain the degrees separately. Candidates for the joint-degree program must apply to and be accepted by both Candler and Goizueta. The schools maintain independent application procedures. Typically, the first year is spent at Candler and the second year is spent at Goizueta. The student must register and pay tuition for three semesters in Goizueta and three semesters in Candler but may take courses in either school. Candler scholarships and grants are applicable only to those semesters in which the student is in residency in the School of Theology. In order to meet degree requirements for the MDiv, the student must complete a minimum of 39 hours at Candler, including either the MTS Thesis (MTS502) or MTS Integrative Paper (MTS503). All requirements are the same as a traditional MTS student but with fewer elective hours. For information on the MTS portion of the MTS/MBA, contact the Candler registrar’s office at candlerregistrar@emory.edu.
- JD/MDiv
- Candler offers a joint Master of Divinity and Juris Doctor degree in conjunction with Emory’s School of Law. The MDiv/JD is a five-year degree, one year shorter than if the degrees were pursued seperately. Applicants apply to Candler and Emory Law School separately, and if accepted to both schools, can enroll in the joint degree program. The School of Law requires that all applicants take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) and register with the Law School Data Assembly Service (LSDAS). Students typically begin their studies with their first year at Candler, spend their second year at the Law School, and then alternate between the schools for their remaining time. Financing is coordinated between the two schools.
- JD/MTS
- Candler offers a joint Master of Theological Studies and Juris Doctor degree in conjunction with Emory’s School of Law. The MTS/JD is a four-year degree, one year shorter than if the degrees were pursued seperately. Applicants apply to Candler and Emory Law School separately, and if accepted to both schools, can enroll in the joint degree program. As with the MDiv/JD, applicants must take the LSAT and register with LSDAS, and financing is coordinated between schools.
- MDiv/MPH
- A joint Master of Divinity and Master of Public Health (MDiv/MPH) is offered in cooperation with the Rollins School of Public Health. This program allows the MDiv and MPH degrees to be earned in four years instead of the usual five to attain the degrees separately. Candidates for the joint-degree program must apply to and be accepted by both Candler and Rollins. The schools maintain independent application procedures. Typically, the first year is spent at Candler, the second year is spent at Rollins, and the third and fourth years are spent at Candler. The student must register and pay tuition for six semesters in Candler and two semesters in Rollins but may take courses in either school. Candler scholarships and grants are applicable only to those semesters in which the student is in residency in the School of Theology. In order to meet degree requirements for the MDiv, the student must complete a minimum of 86 hours at Candler. All requirements are the same as a traditional MDiv student. In order to meet degree requirements for the MPH, the student must complete a minimum 32 to 35 hours at Rollins, including the practicum and special studies project or thesis. Specific MPH degree requirements depend on the department. Rollins offers the dual-degree program in seven departments (Behavioral Sciences and Health Education, Environmental and Occupational Health, Epidemiology, Global Environmental Health, Global Epidemiology, Global Health, and Health Policy and Management). MDiv/MPH dual-degree students may complete the MPH practicum requirement through completion of a clinical Contextual Education placement. For additional information about the MPH portion of the MDiv/MPH, contact Kathy Wollenzien at kwollen@sph.emory.edu. For information on the MDiv portion of the MDiv/MPH, contact the Candler registrar’s office at candlerregistrar@emory.edu.
- MTS/MPH
- A joint Master of Theological Studies and Master of Public Health (MTS/MPH) is offered in cooperation with the Rollins School of Public Health. This program allows the MTS and MPH degrees to be earned in three years instead of the usual four to attain the degrees separately. Candidates for the joint-degree program must apply to and be accepted by both Candler and Rollins. The schools maintain independent application procedures. Typically, the first year is spent at Candler, the second year at Rollins, and the third year at Candler. The student must register and pay tuition for four semesters in Candler and two semesters in Rollins but may take courses in either school. Candler scholarships and grants are applicable only to those semesters in which the student is in residency in the School of Theology. In order to meet degree requirements for the MTS, the student must complete a minimum of 51 hours at Candler. All requirements are the same as a traditional MTS student. In order to meet degree requirements for the MPH, the student must complete a minimum of 32 to 35 hours at Rollins, including the practicum and special studies project or thesis. Specific MPH degree requirements depend on the department. Rollins offers the dual-degree program in seven departments (Behavioral Sciences and Health Education, Environmental and Occupational Health, Epidemiology, Global Environmental Health, Global Epidemiology, Global Health, and Health Policy and Management). MTS/MPH dual-degree students may complete the MPH special studies project or thesis in conjunction with the MTS integrative paper or thesis. For additional information about the MPH portion of the MDiv/MPH, contact Kathy Wollenzien at kwollen@sph.emory.edu. For information on the MDiv portion of the MDiv/MPH, contact the Candler registrar’s office at candlerregistrar@emory.edu.
Admission Requirements
Admission to the programs vary, but most require a bachelor of arts, bachelor of science, or equivalent degree from a regionally accredited college or university; a well-balanced program of work in the liberal arts; and, an overall grade point average of at least 2.75 on a 4.0 scale. Other strong candidates, including those who have been out of college for a number of years, are encouraged to apply. All completed applications, regardless of the GPA of the applicant, will be fully reviewed by the admissions committee.
Liberal Arts education a good start
A broad liberal arts education is recommended to prepare students for the Christian ministry. Students applying to Candler should have a working knowledge of past and present culture from undergraduate studies in the humanities and the natural and social sciences.
Students enrolled as MTS or as special students may transfer to the MDiv program upon acceptance by the admissions committee. Course work completed satisfactorily by a special or MTS student will be considered for transfer to the MDiv program. The registrar will determine which credits may be transferred from one program to another.
Coming from another seminary or school of divinity
Students in good standing at other seminaries accredited by the Association of Theological Schools may be admitted as transfer students.
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