Theology and Healthcare Certificate

The C-THC involves five courses beyond the required OTD coursework. These include the signature Health Care in Theological Context sequence and the introductory Christian theological sequence “Cultivating Christian Imagination.”[1] Students also take one elective which may be fulfilled through the Divinity School (or OTD, as available). The C-THC courses integrate with two OTD course series: Formation for Service and Capstone.

In addition to courses through the Divinity School, students engage in a range of optional mentoring and paraprofessional experiences such as writing and networking seminars, a retreat, and conference participation.

OTD students are allowed to take three years to complete the certificate. The certificate is most often awarded at the same time as completion of the OTD degree, though students may be allowed more time past the OTD degree to complete C-THC requirements, if needed. If the student completes the certificate and does not complete the OTD, the certificate will be awarded, as long as all of the C-THC requirements are met.

The certificate will begin for students matriculated into their first or second year of the OTD program, with the first year being the pathway with the most flexibility. Matriculated OTD students must apply for the residential C-THC in a separate application to Duke Divinity School by June 15 of their matriculation year. Second-year students may qualify if appropriate arrangements can be made with the OTD Fieldwork Office that allow for continuance in the C- THC coursework.

OTD students must apply and be admitted into the Residential Certificate in Theology and Health Care (D-THC-R-C) program at Duke Divinity School. The Divinity application fee will be waived. Applicants are required to have received a bachelor’s degree (BA or BS) from a four-year college or university accredited by one of the nationally recognized regional accrediting agencies in the United States or hold an equivalent educational credential from another country. In addition to basic biographical information, OTD students will need to provide the following for the application:

• Unofficial transcripts (including the Duke University transcript if applying as a second-year student)
• Resume or CV
• One recommendation (brief letter of support from OTD/C-THC advisor)
• One-page essay describing how goals for enrolling as an OTD student in the C-THC program align with student’s overall vocational goals

Questions or support for the application should be directed to the Divinity Office of Admissions (admissions@div.duke.edu or 919-660-3436).

The certificate tuition will be offered at a reduced rate (2/3 of standard C-THC tuition) for OTD students. Divinity tuition is assessed in years one and two of the program in each fall and spring term. For students admitted later in the course of their OTD degree or deferring studies for one or more terms, the C-THC tuition will be adjusted in subsequent terms. Financial Aid in the form of scholarships from the Divinity School supporting a portion of C-THC tuition may be available to students enrolled in the C-THC.

Students seeking federal financial aid assistance to cover Divinity tuition charges will continue to work with the School of Medicine Financial Aid Office, as OTD students can only access federal financial aid at the School of Medicine.

Students will pay transcript fees at both the Divinity School and School of Medicine.

Requirements Fulfilled at Duke Divinity School

Year 1

Year 2

Year 3

The progress of all students is reviewed at the end of every semester in alignment with SOM and Divinity policies. Student continuation is adjudicated within the policies and procedures for both the OTD and the C-THC, as listed in each school’s bulletin. The student must maintain a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 in Divinity courses. If a student falls below this level, the student may, at the discretion of the academic dean and in consultation with the faculty advisor, be dismissed, placed on an involuntary leave of absence, or asked to participate in a limited program. This may result in a student not completing the certificate. At the end of the second semester, a student on a limited program who does not attain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 is withdrawn from the certificate. In exceptional cases, a student who shows substantial improvement in the second semester but does not quite attain a GPA of 2.0 may be given a third semester to do so.

Student progress in the OTD program is also reviewed at the end of each semester by the OTD Academic Review Committee (ARC). Students who are placed on academic warning may be asked to terminate their participation in the C-THC in order to support their success in the OTD program. There is no refund for courses completed if students are withdrawn from the C-THC.

The student must demonstrate progress in the program by completing courses. A student who has three or more unresolved incompletes or a pattern of multiple withdrawals or leaves may, at the discretion of the academic dean, be dismissed, placed on an involuntary leave of absence until the incomplete work is resolved, or asked to participate in a limited program. The certificate must be completed within five years (ten terms).

Dr. Sarah Barton will serve as advisor to OTD students in the C-THC.