Faculty and Classes FAQ
I know Candler’s faculty is one of the best in the world. But are they accessible to students?
Yes. All professors at Candler teach and post regular office hours. Additionally, many professors preach in and attend community worship and many are willing to work with students in directed, one-on-one study courses.
Does Candler offer joint degree programs?
Yes. Candler offers six joint degrees in collaboration with three other professional graduate schools at Emory. In collaboration with Emory’s Goizueta Business School, Candler offers a joint Master of Divinity and Master of Business Administration degree and a joint Master of Theological Studies and Master of Business Administration degree. The MDiv/MBA and MTS/MBA joint degree programs are 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. Students typically start their first year at Candler, spend their second year at Goizueta, and then alternate between the schools for their remaining time. Financing is coordinated between the two schools; contact Candler's Office of Financial Aid for more financial questions at candlerfinancialaid@emory.edu or 404.727.6326.
Candler offers a joint Master of Divinity and Juris Doctor degree and a Master of Theological Studies and Juris Doctor degree with Emory’s School of Law. The MDiv/JD is a five-year degree and the MTS/JD is a four-year degree, both of which are one year shorter than if the respective degrees were pursued separately. Applicants apply to Candler and Emory Law School separately, and if accepted to both schools, can enroll in the joint degree program. 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.
Candler's most recent joint degrees are offered in collaboration with Emory's Rollins School of Public Health. Students may pursue a joint Master of Divinity/Master of Public Health or a Master of Theological Studies/Master of Public Health.
Are there opportunities for study and travel abroad?
Yes. International study opportunities abound and have most recently included studies in: Australia, Brazil, England, Germany, Scotland, South Korea, Sweden, Switzerland, and Zimbabwe There are also off-campus domestic study opportunities in Washington, D.C. and Appalachia (Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina). Recent international travel seminars have included trips to: India, Brazil, Australia, Germany, and the Middle East (Syria, Israel, Jordan, Greece).
Are doctoral programs offered through Candler?
Yes. Candler offers a Doctor of Theology (ThD) in Pastoral Counseling degree. Both international as well as domestic students pursue this degree. International ThD students often return to their countries of origin to pursue university teaching positions. Domestic ThD students most often pursue a practice in pastoral counseling as their vocation. Candler does not have a PhD program. However, Emory University’s Graduate Division of Religion has a world-renowned PhD program that shares many faculty members with Candler, and has programs in nine fields of religious studies.
Can I cross-register in courses outside Candler?
Yes. Students can cross-register, with the permission of the registrar, professor, and advisor, in other departments of Emory University, at schools of the Atlanta Theological Association, and at other Atlanta colleges and universities. There is a maximum number of hours one can take outside of Candler, depending on your degree program.
Can I transfer credits to Candler?
Yes. Academic work a) from a school accredited by the Association of Theological Schools, b) less than five years old and c) for which another degree has not been granted, will be reviewed and considered for transfer credit. A minimum grade of a B (3.0 on a 4.0 scale) is required for transfer credit into the Master of Divinity (MDiv) program. Several stipulations apply for transfer credits. Please consult the Candler Catalog for further information or contact the Candler Registrar at candlerregistrar@listserv.cc.emory.edu or 404.727.0792.
Can I take a class if I am not enrolled in a degree program?
Yes. You have two options: take classes for credit or not for credit. For students who are interested in credit, but are not enrolled in a degree program, Candler has a Special Student status. See our website or catalog for details. For those not interested in credit, Candler’s Office of Lifelong Learning (OLL) administers an auditing program. An application is required to audit a class, and fees range from $200-300 per course. See the OLL website or call 404.727.4587 for more details.
Can I take classes at Candler part-time?
Yes. Though most Candler students are full-time, Candler students can both enroll as part-time students or can drop to part-time status (either permanently or temporarily) during the course of their studies. Both Master of Divinity (MDiv) and Master of Theological Studies (MTS) students must complete their degrees in six years. For students entering as part-time students, there is generally no financial aid available. To be eligible for student loans, students must be enrolled in at least six credit hours. For further information on part-time status, please call the Office of Admissions and Financial Aid at 404.727.6326.