Put Your Faith Into Action

If God is calling you to help change the world, put your faith into action and prepare for your future at Candler School of Theology at Emory University.

Take the next step toward your theological education

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With a degree from Candler, you’ll graduate ready to make your change, wherever God leads.

Rigorous academics, abundant choices

Choose from 6 degrees: Master of Divinity, Master of Arts in Religion and Leadership, Master of Religion and Public Life, Master of Theological Studies, Master of Theology and Doctor of Ministry.

Learn online or on campus with flexible formats in MDiv, MARL, MRPL and DMin programs.

Nine dual degree options with bioethics, business, development practice, law, and public health

Tailor your degree to your interests with specialty concentrations like chaplaincy, conflict transformation, criminal justice ministries, and church and community leadership

A world of possibilities

Prepare to serve as a chaplain, church leader, pastoral counselor, community organizer, nonprofit executive, teacher, scholar, and more.

Sharpen your ministry skills through experiential learning in churches, hospitals, and nonprofits

Clarify your calling through spiritual formation, reflection groups, and mentoring

Live and practice ministry in the vibrant, globally connected city of Atlanta, home of The Carter Center, the CDC, CARE, and the General Board of Global Ministries of the UMC

The resources of Emory University

Ranked in the top 25 national research universities by U.S. News & World Report

Generous scholarships: 92% of all students receive scholarship support, with 100% of MDiv students receiving at least 50% of tuition, and all certified candidates for UM ordination receiving full tuition

Study with world-renowned faculty who are also highly accessible thanks to our low student-faculty ratio

Take classes across the university for interdisciplinary learning–more than 300 Emory have research interests related to religion

Candler School of Theology | Diverse group of students

Did you know?

Candler offers scholarship support for all MDiv students, including full tuition for certified candidates for UMC ordination.

In 2023-24, with the support of generous donors, we awarded $6.3 million in financial aid, with 92% of all students and 100% of Master of Divinity students receiving scholarship assistance.

Explore your endless possibilities at Candler:

Prepare for ordination and enhance your ability to serve as a minister, pastoral counselor, nonprofit leader, chaplain, community advocate, and more.
Sharpen your focus through nine certificates, including Chaplaincy, Human Rights, and Women’s Studies in Theology and Ministry.
Build ministry skills in Candler’s Con Ed or Remote Teaching Parish programs, featuring hands-on experiential learning and mentoring in church, hospital, or social service settings.
Deepen your understanding through an expanded program of internships and research assistantships.

What our students and alumni have to say...

“Candler has been a life-changing experience. God has opened so many doors I didn't know were possible and I have been able to truly step into the world of ministry, which I hadn't imagined for my life. This has been a place where I have been stretched, challenged and fortified in preparation for my future...and I have loved it.”

Taylor Gaskins

MDiv '24

“Being at Candler has given me the space to tinker with interdisciplinary ideas about religion, politics, gender and sexuality, and to be mentored by intentional faculty and staff.”

Junmey Wang

MDiv '23

“Candler has been a great place to explore my vocational calling, and to understand more about myself and my life of faith. Without Candler, I would not be working with the nonprofit I am working with today, and I would not view myself as someone who has the potential for life in ministry. I have always considered myself someone who is behind the scenes, better at helping than anything else, but Candler has allowed me to find my voice and access my ability to speak and teach.”

Rebekah Malpass

MDiv '23

“Candler has been a life-changing experience. God has opened so many doors I didn't know were possible and I have been able to truly step into the world of ministry, which I hadn't imagined for my life. This has been a place where I have been stretched, challenged and fortified in preparation for my future...and I have loved it.”

Taylor Gaskins

MDiv '24

“Candler is a great place for Black seminarians!”

Jason Culmer

MDiv '24

Candler School of Theology Tayler Johnson

“The Master of Divinity program allowed me the opportunity to work in ministry while studying in the classroom, pursue internships around the country, and gave me the tools that I need to live out my faith in a world that is desperately in need of Christian leaders. The MDiv curriculum prepared me to not only enter the pulpit but also my community, nonprofits, and higher education.”

Tayler Johnson

MDiv '21