Located in the heart of Wake Forest University's Reynolda Campus, the School of Divinity was founded in 1999 with the mission of equipping students to become agents of justice, reconciliation, and compassion.
These agents of justice, reconciliation, and compassion are just as diverse as the ministerial settings they serve. Coming from 24 states and 6 countries, our students are representative of over 38 different religious affiliations. Therefore, we can promise you that your time at Wake Forest University School of Divinity (or 'Wake Div' as our students call it) will not be spent in an echo chamber. With 59% of our students identifying as female, 44% identifying as a student of color, and students ranging in age from 21 to 66, each classroom discussion is filled with unique and transformative perspectives helping you explore, grow, and thrive theologically.
The diversity of Wake Div does not stop with our current student profile. Within our growing alumni base, 64% of our graduates serve in religious leadership positions outside of traditional congregational ministry. With an alumni family that includes pastors, chaplains, teachers, counselors, nonprofit professionals, entrepreneurs, and lawyers, you will have mentors to guide you wherever your vocational journey may lead. And with a job placement rate of 97%, you can rest assured that we are committed to helping you follow your call, even after graduation.
Think you are interested in becoming a part of the Wake Div community? Let's explore further what life as a student here is like.
The School of Divinity is a dynamic theological learning community that prepares students to engage their minds and hearts in classrooms that are connected to faith communities and the world. Faculty are world-class scholars mentoring students to become reflective ministry leaders who balance deep thinking with compassion and wisdom. From Dr. Katherine Shaner's Women and Slaves in the New Testament to Dr. Derek Hicks' Youth, Hood, and Hip Hop, the classes offered at Wake Div allow you to follow your ministerial, theological, and academic passions with published scholars.
Psst, guess what? No classes at Wake Div are taught by T.A.s!
With a variety of Joint Degree options and specialized concentrations, your educational journey at Wake Div can be just as unique as your vocational call. Perhaps this is why we are known as a divinity school that allows you to Discover Your Path and Take It Anywhere. A list of our degree offerings and concentrations are below:
- Master of Divinity (MDiv)
- MDiv/MA in Bioethics
- MDiv/MA in Counseling
- MDiv/MA in Education
- MDiv/MA in Sustainability
- MDiv/MA in Management (Dual Degree Pathway)
- JD/MDiv
- Concentrations Include: Religious Leadership in Food, Health, and/or Ecology, Sustainability, Episcopal Studies, and Interfaith Leadership.
When it comes to ministry, there is only so much you can learn in the classroom. An essential aspect of a Wake Div education is getting you out into the world to witness ministry firsthand. From planning and leading worship to organizing a community garden, your opportunities to engage the world are endless. Perhaps this is why Wake Div has been named as a Seminary that Changes the World for eight consecutive years!
Wake Forest is intentionally designed to be a place where you can lose yourself in what inspires and interests you, in the company of others doing the same. One of the things students appreciate most about the School of Divinity is the close community, day in and day out. Because of the small class size, students get to know each other and learn from each other in class and outside of class.
- We worship together twice a week (Tuesdays and Thursdays) and lunch is provided for the entire community afterwards on Tuesday.
- Coffee Hour is held weekly in the Lower Auditorium on Wednesdays, and the student lounge is a good place to hang out.
- The annual Fall Renewal Service, Incarnation Celebration (at the end of the fall semester), and End of Year Banquet (at the end of the spring semester) are high points of the year.
- Life is more than books, and ministry is more than preaching. Students are encouraged to take advantages of the rich resources of the University and the city of Winston-Salem.
We are proud to be a part of Wake Forest University. As an embedded Divinity School you will have all the resources that come with a nationally-ranked university (#27 in the nation!) at your fingertips. Furthermore with a motto of Pro Humanitate (or For Humanity), our students are natural part of Wake Forest University's commitment to community service and have the opportunity to participate in campus-wide events such as Hit the Bricks, Project Pumpkin, and Wake N' Shake.
Located on 340 acres within the city limits of Winston-Salem, Wake Forest University offers plenty of green space to get outdoors and witness God's beauty firsthand. With a nature preserve, the Reynolda House of American Art, and the shoppes at Reynolda Village all nearby, you can easily find space to take a break from your academic endeavors.
The Z. Smith Reynolds Library (ZSR) holds over 1.2 million volumes of academic work, including 90,000 volumes in the field of theology. With a graduate-student only lounge and a full-service Starbucks, you will find both space and comfort as you dive into the rich academic resources our library provides.
A word of advice: Telling your professor that you "couldn't find sources" doesn't fly here...
Comprehensive wellbeing is important to us. With access to the state-of-the-art fitness center, you can stay on top of your physical health while pursuing your degree.
Are you a fan of collegiate sports? As a student you'll get free access to every athletic event (yes, even Football and Basketball!). Wear your Gold & Black and cheer on the Demon Deacons as they compete in the ACC.
We love our home. The city of Winston-Salem, North Carolina has a long tradition of providing and prioritizing opportunities around education, expression, and entrepreneurship making it the ideal place to call home as you pursue your graduate theological studies.
Settled by the Moravian Church in 1753, Winston-Salem has an ethic of practicing radical hospitality. Home to Salem College (the nation's oldest women's college), Winston-Salem State University (North Carolina's top ranked public HBCU), and the University of North Carolina School of the Arts (a top-ranked arts conservatory and America's first public arts conservatory), we attract some of the greatest minds and performers from around the globe.
The entrepreneurial spirit also runs strong in Winston-Salem. We are the birthplace and home of major businesses such as Krispy-Kreme Donuts, Hanes Brand Clothing and Texas Pete Hot Sauce (ironic isn't it?). In 1949, Winston-Salem became the first city in the United States to create a public arts council and in 2018, with the help of Innovation Quarter, we were named the 3rd best digital city in the United States.
Ready to relocate? You are in luck! Winston-Salem is ranked as one of the Top-3 most affordable downtowns to live in by MSN and a Top-5 city for first-time homebuyers by Liveability. Wherever you are from, know that you are welcome here and we are excited for you to be our neighbor.