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Dual Degree: Business and Theology

Candler offers dual degrees with either the Master of Divinity or the Master of Theological Studies and a Master of Business Administration in conjunction with Emory’s Goizueta Business School. This program allows the MDiv/MBA or MTS/MBA degrees to be earned in four or three years, respectively, both one year shorter than if the theology and business degrees were pursued separately.

Applicants apply to Candler and Goizueta separately, and if accepted to both schools, can enroll in the dual degree program. Goizueta Business School requires that all applicants take the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT).

MDiv/MBA students may start in either school, but spend one year at Candler and one at Goizueta and then spend the remaining two years taking electives in both schools. It is also possible for students to start the MBA One-Year Program immediately following their first or second year at Candler. Beginning in the summer, students complete three sequential semesters before returning to Candler. In this option, students may complete the dual degree in three and a half years and graduate in December; however, the structure only allows for two summer internships instead of three. 

MTS/MBA students usually spend their first year at Candler and the second year is spent at Goizueta. The remaining year is spent taking electives in both schools. It is also possible for students to start the MBA One-Year Program immediately following their first year at Candler. Beginning in the summer, students complete three sequential semesters before returning to Candler. In this option, students may complete the dual degree in two and a half years and graduate in December; however, the structure only allows for one summer internship instead of two. 

Financing is coordinated between the two schools. Candler scholarships and grants are applicable only to those semesters in which the student is in residency in the School of Theology.

Degree Requirements

MDiv/MBA
In order to meet degree requirements for the MDiv, the student must complete a minimum of 73 hours at Candler. All requirements are the same as a traditional MDiv student but with fewer elective hours.

For information on the MDiv portion of the MDiv/MBA, contact the Candler registrar at candlerregistrar@emory.edu. For information on the MBA portion of the MDiv/MBA, contact Harriet Ruskin at harriet.ruskin@emory.edu. 

MTS/MBA
In order to meet degree requirements for the MTS, the student must complete a minimum of 39 hours at Candler, including either the MTS Thesis or MTS Integrative Paper completed as part of the MTS capstone course. 

For information on the MTS portion of the MTS/MBA, contact the Candler registrar at candlerregistrar@emory.edu. For information on the MBA portion of the MTS/MBA, contact Harriet Ruskin at harriet.ruskin@emory.edu.