Candler’s new Master of Religion and Public Life (MRPL) degree program explores the dynamics of faith in the public sphere. Now you have a chance to explore more about the degree at one of three upcoming lunch and learn events on May 28, June 10 and June 23, from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. in room 517 of Candler’s Rita Anne Rollins Building. Register here. The application deadline for fall 2015 is July 15.

Ideal for individuals in non-religious careers whose interests and/or work intersect with religion, the MRPL is a 30 credit-hour residential program with a flexible curriculum and occasional evening classes to accommodate working professionals. MRPL candidates will gain an enhanced understanding of the specific demands and concerns of religious traditions they encounter in their work, as well as an appreciation for the ways in which religion shapes the public landscape of 21st century North America.

Katie Jane Smith, a student in the MRPL program, sees her studies at Candler enriching her passion for community engagement. “As a social worker, I loved collaborating with nonprofits on community development projects, but there was a strong pull on my heart to bring the church into the community,” she says. “The MRPL is shaping my career into a calling: I will be standing in the doorway of the church, pulling people out into their communities to be the hands and feet of Christ.”

Learn more about the MRPL program.