Certificate in Religion and Public Life
The Certificate in Religion and Public Life (CRPL) is designed to prepare HDS graduates with the tools, skills, and experience to explore professional pathways outside of traditional ministry or academic scholarship. Through the CRPL, Master of Theological Studies (MTS) and Master of Divinity (MDiv) students engage in a structure of coursework, mentoring, experiential learning, and a final project. Students explore the challenges and opportunities that arise when a nuanced understanding of religion is employed within a particular profession or vocation, such as education, journalism, government, community organizing, humanitarian action, and arts and popular culture. Students will choose a professional area of focus for their CRPL.
Requirements
Required Courses
- HDS 3300 Religious Literacy and the Professions
- HDS 4000A/B Religion and Public Life Internship (To accompany internship in relevant area of concentration.)
- HDS 4581 Certificate in Religion and Public Life Capstone Seminar (Includes completing a final project relevant to the student’s certificate focus and in consultation with a project advisor.)
A minimum grade of B is required in the Religious Literacy and the Professions course. A SAT (satisfactory) grade is required in the Certificate in Religion and Public Life Capstone Seminar and in the Religion and Public Life Internship course.
Internship in Area of Concentration
The CRPL internship requires 280 hours of work and can be fulfilled as follows:
- Full-time summer placement (35 hours per week for 8 weeks)
- Extended part-time placement (10 hours per week for 28 weeks)
Upon verifying completion of all requirements and alongside conferral of the degree, students will earn a Certificate in Religion and Public Life in one of the following areas of concentration: Education, Government, Arts and Popular Culture, Journalism, Humanitarian Action, or Community Organizing. The Registrar will post receipt of the certificate on the student’s transcript.