Two Masters??

[marXian]

I'd second all the people who are recommending the MDiv given your affiliation especially if it can be paid for. While I was attending Fuller, I started in the MAT, switched to the MDiv for about 8 months, and then switched back to the MAT at the suggestion of a professor with whom I was working closely. I was working in a church as a youth pastor and was having a similar struggle, wondering if I would end up doing part time ministry while pursuing an academic career, etc. In my situation though, I already had an MA in a different field (English) coming into Fuller, I was paying for my time there (not cheap), and I was part of a denomination that doesn't require an MDiv for ordination (Evangelical Covenant.) If it had been my first graduate degree, I may have opted for a different path.

 

If you want to leave the door open for ministry and especially if you don't have to worry about financing your degree, do the MDiv.

[kacei]

Just out of curiosity, what would you all say in regards to the academics as the various Episcopal seminaries?

General/GTS seems to be focused mostly on gender and sexuality.

VTS seems to be growing in its focus towards emergent theology/the emergent church.

I can't find clear focuses on the others because I haven't looked too far into them.

GTU offers a relatively wide selection of courses, taught by incredible professors. If you went to CDSP you could take classes from seasoned Jesuits who come from a variety of academic backgrounds. I think CDSP would offer a decent and well rounded theological education.

If you're thinking serious academics, I would reccomend GTU, Yale or Duke.  But it really depends on the faculty that you are looking for and what you are hoping to specialize in if you do plan on applying for a PhD in the future. At Yale, you have the added benefit of the ability to take nearly any class (even spanning from MBA to environmental studies grad programs). YDS also offers one of the leading scholars on the Dead Sea Scrolls, and offers professors with interests in classics/antiquity and Jewish studies. At GTU you have the benefit of a diverse variety of disciplines, religions and backgrounds.  At Duke you have the seriousness of study combined with a focus towards history and theology.

I must admit, I am biased due to my undergraduate experience (religious studies and classics minor with Hebrew and Latin language) 

 

I'd take a look at the faculty. Ihttp://divinity.duke.edu/academics/faculty

http://www.gtu.edu/sites/default/files/docs/gtu-old/Experts%20by%20topic.pdf

http://divinity.yale.edu/faculty-listing

Edited March 8, 2013 by kacei

[ûl ʾašerātō]

It sounds like YDS would be an excellent fit for what you're talking about. They offer ordination for Episcopalians and are among the top schools in academics. With the exception of a professor here or there, I don't believe you can expect to get a better faculty. The MDiv program is a 3 year program with ministry requirements, but they also offer considerable flexibility for you to pursue academic interests. Additionally, they also have the STM degree, which is a 1 year academic masters degree that a number of students who decide they want to go on to doctoral work end up pursuing before applying to PhD programs. Given that it might be the case that you pursue a PhD then go into ministry, having your two masters from YDS would be a fantastic set up for academia and ministry. Also, if you decide to go down somewhat of a middle route, and seek to teach at a very small undergraduate college or something where they are heavily focused on ministry, many of these schools (as well as a large number of seminaries) require a professional ministry degree for their faculty. 

 

If you end up getting enough financial aid to make 3 years possible at YDS or HDS or Chicago (though you've already said they only offered 50%), I would highly suggest pursuing that option for you. 

 

Good luck making your decision!

[Guest]

Just to add a minor note: I know Duke allows you to take two of your classes (of ten electives) in any dept. on campus, and I would presume that the GTU offers something similar. 

[sacklunch]

Just to add a minor note: I know Duke allows you to take two of your classes (of ten electives) in any dept. on campus, and I would presume that the GTU offers something similar. 

 

FWIW, those of in the dept of Religion (MA) can take any number of our courses in any dept as long as they are related to 'religion.'

[indefiniteintegral]

Will likely get ordinated Episcopalian and currently deciding between Duke and Yale. I know Yale makes it bit easier on Episcopalian ordination. Does Duke make it particular difficult?

[Guest]

Will likely get ordinated Episcopalian and currently deciding between Duke and Yale. I know Yale makes it bit easier on Episcopalian ordination. Does Duke make it particular difficult?

 

Duke makes it pretty easy as well. You simply pursue a Certificate in Anglican Studies as a part of your program. See http://divinity.duke.edu/academics and click the "Certificates and Concentrations" tab to see more information.

[indefiniteintegral]

Duke makes it pretty easy as well. You simply pursue a Certificate in Anglican Studies as a part of your program. See http://divinity.duke.edu/academics and click the "Certificates and Concentrations" tab to see more information.

Thanks!