Institional Reputations: Princeton Seminary, Duke, Yale, and Chicago?

[kjdin06]

I was wondering what other people think about the reputations at these institutions. In particular, what are their various strengths and weaknesses? Obviously, PTS recently completed a $100 million dollar construction project (new library and married housing), but I'm wondering where other school's have them beat on an academic level? I am also wondering how this play out both for Masters and Doctoral students.

 

Are these evaluations correct?

 

Strengths:

Princeton Theological Seminary - Post-Liberal Theology (McCormack and Hunsinger), Old Testament (Seow, Laspsley, and Sakenfeld), Medieval Church History, Reformation Church History, U.S. Church History, Pastoral Theology, Youth and Religion.
Duke Divinity - Great names like Hauerwas. Probably better than PTS in New Testament and Philosophy.

Yale Divinity - A great range of strengths, particularly in Post-Liberal Theology, Philosophy, Liberation Theology, and a stronger focus on female perspectives than either Princeton or Duke provide.

Chicago Divinity - A program with strong ties to the social sciences and strengths in philosophy and literature.

 

Any thoughts?

[Guest]

Duke should likewise be thought of as a center (if not THE center as Yale has gone in some alternative directions recently) of Postliberal theology. Just know Hauerwas is retiring in about a month or two, but his presence will nonetheless be felt for years to come. He may even teach a class or two, fingers crossed!

[kjdin06]

I would be interested to hear someone from Yale Divinity speak to its strengths and weaknesses, particularly by departments.

[sacklunch]

If you want to get a PhD/ThD go to the place that has the best faculty for your interests. That may or may not be what 'ranks' the best, but when you get around to applying that coursework with X professor will help you way more than 'I went to Yale.' Though I understand money is always an issue, so apply somewhat broad and hope you can get some sort of decent package (perhaps apply MDiv for this, if you are religious, or perhaps HDS' humanist track MDiv).