Assessment Summary | Divinity
Overview
The Divinity School is a professional school within Duke University accredited by the Association of Theological Schools and Southern
Area Colleges and Schools. The Association of Theological Schools facilitates processes for re-accreditation every ten years. The Divinity School
most recently received full accreditation with no notations in 2005.
Duke Divinity School’s mission is to engage in spiritually disciplined and academically rigorous education in service and witness to the
Triune God in the midst of the church, the academy, and the world. We strive to cultivate a vibrant community through theological education on
Scripture, engagement with the living Christian tradition, and attention to and reflection on contemporary contexts in order to form leaders for
faithful Christian ministries.
Accredited Degree Programs
Master of Divinity: The assessment of the MDiv degree program focuses upon portfolios with representative assignments, self-reflection and
responses from faculty members as well as field education supervisors and spiritual formation group leaders. Portfolios of MDiv students are
reviewed at the mid-point and conclusion of the degree program by faculty, administrators, and committees including the Curriculum
Committee. These reviews culminate in a report each year to the faculty including recommendations for improvement to be pursued.
Outcome
Measure & Target
Finding
Resultant Action
Religious Heritage
Read and exegete Scripture and the
great texts of the Christian tradition
for the purpose of preaching and
teaching the gospel with clarity,
power, and reverence:
Eighty percent of students will
demonstrate ability to:
-Read and understand biblical and
other significant texts from Christian
tradition
- Exegete texts
- Interpret texts in a sermon
Faculty Middler Review
Include in portfolio:
-One graded essay from OT 11, 12, or
NT 18 on a biblical text with
instructor’s comments
-One graded essay from CH 13, 14, or
AC 28 on a classical theological text
with instructor’s comments
-Evaluation from field education
supervisor and lay training
committee
Religious Heritage
Middler Review
Religious Heritage
Middler Review
54.3% of our students have a strong
ability to exegete Scripture and other
texts
42% of our students have a promising
ability to exegete Scripture and other
texts
Objective met.
Faculty Senior Review
96.3% of students have either
promising or strong ability to
exegete Scripture and other texts
Include in portfolio:
-One graded essay from CT 32 or CHE
33 demonstrating critical theological
reflection with instructor’s comments
-Video and graded sermon
manuscript delivered in class with
instructor’s comments
-Evaluation from field education
supervisor and lay training
committee
Indirect
Include in portfolio:
-Student reflection on their progress
and growth in light of feedback from
instructor, field education supervisor,
and lay training committee
-ATS Graduating Student
Questionnaire, specifically ability to
interpret Scripture
Cultural Context
Think theologically about the
doctrines and practices of the church
and about the world in which the
church finds itself, in a way that is
both faithful historically to the
tradition and responsive to the
challenges of our time:
Eighty percent of students will
demonstrate ability to think
theologically about the church’s
practices in a wide range of social
and cultural contexts
Faculty Senior Review
Include in portfolio:
-One graded essay from either Black
Church Studies or World Christianity
courses (with possible attention to
gender) with instructor’s comments
- Evaluation from field education
supervisor and lay training
committee, specifically Part 5
“Mission of the Church”
Indirect
Include in portfolio:
Student reflection on their progress
and growth in light of feedback from
instructor, field education supervisor,
Cultural Context
In process for Senior Review in May
2011
Cultural Context
In process for Senior Review in May
2011
and lay training committee
Personal and Spiritual Formation
Cultivate habits of spiritual disciplines
to sustain a Christian life ordered
toward holiness, justice, peace, and
reconciliation:
Seventy percent of students will
maintain habits of spiritual disciplines
following the first year requirement
of participation in spiritual formation
groups to sustain a Christian life
ordered toward holiness, justice,
peace, and reconciliation
ATS GSQ results regarding social
context and issues
Faculty Middler Review
Include in portfolio:
- Evaluation from first year spiritual
formation group leader
- Evaluation from field education
supervisor and lay training
committee, specifically Part 1
“Spiritual Formation and Self-Care”
and Part 9 “Vocational Clarity”
Faculty Senior Review
Include in portfolio:
-Description of second and third year
students’ ongoing practices gleaned
from survey(s)
Indirect
Include in portfolio:
- Student reflection on their progress
and growth, personal goals for
remainder of the program, and in
light of feedback from field education
supervisor, and lay training
committee
ATS GSQ results regarding spiritual
formation
Capacity for Ministerial and Public
Leadership
Act with compassion and
effectiveness in leading the church’s
ministries of worship and preaching,
Faculty Senior Review
Include in portfolio:
-One graded assignment from the
capstone course fulfilling the
Practicing Theology in Ministry
Personal and Spiritual Formation
Middler Review
Personal and Spiritual Formation
Middler Review
52.3% of our students have a strong
understanding of their Christian
vocation
43% of our students have a promising
understanding of their Christian
vocation
Objectives met.
95.3% of students have a promising
or strong understanding of their
Christian vocation
94.3% of our students have set
realistic goals for ongoing spiritual
discipline
Though objectives were met and
exceeded with regard to personal
and spiritual formation, in additional
comments need for further
vocational clarity related both to
ordination and denominational
affiliation was noted.
These will be addressed in the first
year “Spiritual Formation” program
and “Mentoring for Ministry”
seminars as well as ongoing work
among Houses of Study.
57.9% of our students have
cultivated strong habits of spiritual
disciplines
37.3% of our students have cultivated
promising habits of spiritual
disciplines
95.2% of students have cultivated
promising or strong habits of
spiritual disciplines
Capacity for Ministerial and Public
Leadership
In process for Senior Review in May
2011
Capacity for Ministerial and Public
Leadership
In process for Senior Review in May
2011
education and formation, service and
transformation in the world:
Eighty percent of students will
demonstrate ability to act with
compassion and effectiveness in
leading the church’s ministries of
worship and preaching, education
and formation, service and
transformation in the world
Limited Elective (with possible
attention to a range of ministry
practices including pastoral care)
with instructor’s comments
Evaluation from field education
supervisor and lay training
committee,
-Audit and review of course syllabi
- Reports from denominational
leaders regarding integration of
theological learning and practice of
graduates
Indirect
Include in portfolio:
-Student reflection on their progress
and growth in light of feedback from
instructor, field education supervisor,
and lay training committee
-ATS GSQ results and alumni survey
results
-Suggestions from alumni at
continuing education or other events
Master of Theology: Typically a one year degree oriented toward research skills, the ThM degree is assessed by pertinent faculty and
administrators (including the degree director and Academic Dean) in consultation with the Curriculum Committee reviewing student
examinations, theses and self-reflections. These reviews culminate in a report each year to the Divinity faculty including recommendations for
improvement to be pursued.
Outcome
Measure & Target
Finding
The ThM degree provides graduates
of accredited theological schools the
opportunity to continue their
theological education by focusing on
a particular area of study:
Faculty Review
Include in portfolio:
-ThM Comprehensive Exams or
Thesis
Results of Faculty Reviews of
materials and Director’s reflections:
Requirements for majors and minors
were too complex for students to
navigate
Resultant Action
Eliminated the minor
Implemented directed study in
Eighty percent of students will
demonstrate an enhanced ability in
select areas of study to think
theologically about significant texts,
doctrines and /or practices of the
church and about the world in which
the church finds itself through the
successful completion of
comprehensive exams or a research
project.
Indirect
Include in portfolio:
-Student reflection on their progress
and growth in light of feedback from
instructor,
-Input from alumni
which to complete the thesis
Students were not able to cope with
the requirements to complete the
thesis
Comprehensive exam guidelines
were not comparable to the thesis
requirements
Certification for language ability of
entering students was not reliable
Need for a uniform deadline for
thesis submission/exam completion
to meet University graduation
deadlines
Increased the length of
comprehensive exam essays to
parallel the thesis
TOEFL scores raised and phone
interviews conducted for applicants
Thesis deadline implemented: first
Monday of Reading Week
Master of Theological Studies: The assessment of the MTS degree program focuses upon portfolios with representative assignments, selfreflection and responses from faculty members. Portfolios of MTS students are reviewed at the conclusion of the degree program by faculty,
administrators, and committees including the Curriculum Committee. These reviews culminate in a report each year to the faculty including
recommendations for improvement to be pursued.
Outcome
Measure & Target
Finding
Resultant Action
Religious Heritage
Read and exegete Scripture and the
great texts of the Christian tradition
for the purpose of preaching and
teaching the gospel with clarity,
power, and reverence:
Eighty percent of students will
demonstrate ability to:
-Read and understand biblical and
other significant texts from Christian
tradition
- Exegete texts
Faculty Senior Review
Include in portfolio:
Religious Heritage
Senior Review
Thesis deadline implemented: first
Monday of Reading Week
Direct
-One graded essay from OT 11, 12 or
NT 18 on a biblical text with
instructor’s comments
-One graded essay from CH 13, 14, or
AC 28 on a classical theological text
with instructor’s comments
Results of Faculty Reviews of
materials and Director’s reflections:
Indirect
Include in portfolio:
General issue: Need for a uniform
deadline for thesis submission/exam
completion to meet University
graduation deadlines
Cultural Context
Think theologically about the
doctrines and practices of the church
and about the world in which the
church finds itself, in a way that is
both faithful historically to the
tradition and responsive to the
challenges of our time:
Eighty percent of students will
demonstrate ability to think
theologically about the church’s
practices in a wide range of social
and cultural contexts
-Student reflection on their progress
and growth in light of feedback from
instructor,
-ATS Graduating Student
Questionnaire, specifically ability to
interpret Scripture
Faculty Senior Review
Direct
Include in portfolio:
-One graded essay from CT 32 or CHE
33 demonstrating critical theological
reflection with instructor’s comments
-MTS Thesis
Cultural Context
In process for Senior Review in May
2011
Cultural Context
In process for Senior Review in May
2011
Indirect
Include in portfolio:
Student reflection on their progress
and growth in light of feedback from
instructors
ATS GSQ results regarding social
context and issues
Doctor of Theology: The ThD degree is assessed by pertinent faculty and administrators (including the degree director and Academic Dean) in
consultation with the ThD Oversight and Curriculum Committees by reviewing student examinations, dissertations, self-reflections and faculty
evaluations. These reviews culminate in a report each year to the Divinity faculty including recommendations for improvement to be pursued.
Outcome
Measure & Target
Finding
The ThD degree provides
academically rigorous training
comparable to the demands of the
PhD degree focused on ministries
and practices of Christian
communities:
Faculty Review
Include in portfolio:
Results of Faculty Reviews of
materials, Director’s reflections as
well as ThD Oversight Committee:
Direct
-Annual evaluation from primary
advisor
Lack of clarity regarding expectations
for Language Exams
Resultant Action
Clarification of Language Exam
Students completing the program will
demonstrate competence for
scholarly research and teaching with
an interdisciplinary focus that attends
to the ministries and practices of
Christian communities.
-Final project from the Core Seminar
-Competence in at least two modern
research languages
-Preliminary Exams evaluated by a
faculty committee
-ThD Dissertation proposal defended
before a faculty committee
-ThD Dissertation defended before a
faculty committee
Indirect
Include in portfolio:
-Student reflection on their progress
and growth in light of feedback from
advisor
expectations
Excessive number of Incompletes,
delaying student progress
Examination question and
Dissertation alignment with purpose
of the degree toward ministries and
practices of Christian communities
Attention to students with excessive
number of incompletes by Director
and Primary Advisors
Reflection by ThD Oversight
Committee on alignment of Exams
and Proposals, consultation with
current Advisors