INTRODUCTION
Decades ago, the trustees of the Disciples Divinity House decided to establish a fellowship program for students at a major ecumenical university rather than a separate denominational graduate school. A handsome gothic building with a common room and dining hall, study-bedrooms, a chapel and a library was erected to house the student scholars. And, the trustees resolved to endow students to learn rather than to endow a separate faculty to teach. These actions created an extraordinary residential scholarship program that continues today.
As Scholars of the Disciples Divinity House, students are offered the finest preparation for vocations of ministry and teaching. Scholars earn their degrees--the M.Div., the A.M., or the Ph.D.--at the University’s Divinity School. Financial support is provided at levels that enable students to immerse themselves fully in their studies; they are able to devote themselves to the pursuit of understanding among an exceptional community of fellow scholars. DDH’s programs and its teaching/learning ethos are integral to the preparation offered to its Scholars.

In addition, Scholars are extended a legacy of leadership. DDH alumni/ae serve as congregational pastors from Washington, D.C. to Illinois to California; they teach in Australia. Three of the seven deans of Disciple theological education institutions are DDH alumni/ae, as are regional and general church ministers, leading scholars, and ecumenists local and global. Current Scholars are challenged and equipped to continue this legacy: to press for excellence in ministry and scholarship; to pursue the unity of the Church and the well-being of humanity with passion and intelligence; and to be catalysts for the vitality of thought, work, worship, and life before God.

 
DEGREE PROGRAMS
Disciples House Scholars earn their degrees–the Master of Arts (A.M.), the Master of Divinity (M.Div.), or the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)–through the Divinity School of the University of Chicago.

The Master of Arts program in Divinity (A.M.) introduces students to the basic substance and methods of academic religious inquiry. The two-year program is designed for students who wish to pursue the Ph.D. in religion, and who do not yet hold a master’s degree in divinity or religious studies.

The Master of Divinity program (M.Div.) prepares students for a variety of ministerial professions, ranging from congregational ministry to chaplaincy to new and emerging forms of ministry. The program consists of 27 courses, normally three years of study, and includes a unique field education program.

Dual M.Div./A.M. degree programs are offered with the University’s School of Social Administration, for students whose professional plans require training in both ministry and social work, and also with the University’s Irving B. Harris School of Public Policy Studies, for students whose professional plans require training in both ministry and public policy. These programs allow students to complete two degrees in four years of full-time coursework.

The Doctor of Philosophy program (Ph.D.) prepares students for scholarship, teaching, and research in the study of religion. Three academic committees of the Divinity School faculty are responsible for instruction in all degree programs, and the school encourages breadth of exposure to the work of all three committees as well as concentration in a particular area.

The three committees and their areas are: Constructive Studies in Religion: Ethics, Philosophy of Religion, Theology; Historical Studies in Religious Traditions: Biblical Studies, History of Christianity, History of Judaism; Religion and the Human Sciences: History of Religions, Anthropology and Sociology of Religion, Religion and Literature.

The Certification in Ministerial Studies enables doctoral students to prepare for ordained ministerial leadership by completing this program during one full year of their Ph.D. studies.

The Joint M.Div./Ph.D. program allows students to prepare for a ministerial and professorial career by the completion of both degrees.

A number of ongoing, non-degree programs are offered exclusively for Disciples House Scholars. These include a seminar on Disciples history and thought, a practicum on ministry within the Disciples of Christ, and a colloquium for Ph.D. students who are writing their dissertations.

 
FINANCIAL AID

Disciples House Scholars benefit from an extensive financial aid program. Financial support is provided at levels that enable students to immerse themselves fully in their studies, to devote themselves to the pursuit of knowledge and understanding in a community of fellow scholars.

Twenty to twenty-five persons are selected or continue as Disciples House Scholars each year. Our commitment is to fund all Scholars as equally as possible and to the fullest extent possible.
Currently, Scholars receive 100% of tuition at the University of Chicago Divinity School (60% funded by Disciples House and 40% funded by the Divinity School), a $2,250 annual stipend for books and expenses, and either a rent-free study/bedroom in Disciples House or a $3,000 annual housing subsidy.

For students demonstrating satisfactory academic and professional progress, financial aid is renewed annually through the time normally required for obtaining the degree.

Named Scholarships

Several named scholarships are awarded on an annual basis. Recipients of the following awards are granted an additional $1,000 for the year.

Edward Scribner Ames Scholarship for high achievement in preparation for pastoral or educational ministries.

William Barnett Blakemore Scholarship for excellence in scholarship and breadth of ecumenical vision.

William Daniel Cobb Alumni/ae Scholarship for high achievement in preparation for ministry.

M. Elizabeth Dey Scholarship for outstanding promise in pastoral or educational ministries.

Drum and Tenant Scholarship for outstanding promise in pastoral or educational ministries.

Henry Barton Robison Scholarship for high achievement in biblical studies.

M. Ray and Phyllis Ann Schultz Scholarship for outstanding promise for congregational ministry.

Oreon E. Scott Entering Scholarship for an outstanding entering student.

William N. Weaver Entering Scholarship for an outstanding entering student.

 
ADMISSION

Application to become a Disciples Divinity House Scholar is made concurrently with application to the University of Chicago Divinity School. The invitation to become a Disciples House Scholar is normally extended at the same time as an offer of admission to the Divinity School.  Prospective House Scholars should contact Dean Kris Culp before submitting their application to the Divinity School.

Eligibility
To be eligible to be considered for a Disciples Divinity House scholarship, a student must have been a participating member of a congregation of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) for at least one year.

In special circumstances, grants may be made to students from the other churches of the Campbell-Stone tradition or of churches outside the United States and Canada with whom the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) has a special relationship.

Application
Prospective Scholars must submit an application and essay to the Disciples Divinity House as well as the Divinity School application (which includes an essay, four letters of recommendation, official transcripts, and GRE scores). Application deadlines for the Divinity School are December 15 for the M.A. and Ph.D. programs, and February 1 for the M.Div. program.

 
REQUEST INFORMATION

Learn more about Disciples Divinity House by submitting the form below.

Name
Address
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I am interested in the following program(s):

Master of Divinity program

Master of Arts program

Doctor of Philosophy program

Area of study (use arrow to make selection):

I anticipate entrance in the fall of:

I am a member of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). (see eligibility above)

Previous/current degree program, school, and date of graduation

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VISIT DDH

Prospective House Scholars are encouraged to visit. Mondays are especially good days for visiting campus. Visitors may stay overnight in a guest room at Disciples House. They may attend Divinity School classes and DDH’s Monday night dinner and program, meet with Dean Kristine A. Culp and other faculty of the Divinity School, and talk with House Scholars and other students. They may also wish to tour the campus and neighborhood, explore the many local bookstores, drive along the lake and see the skyline from Lake Shore Drive, sample one of Chicago’s many ethnic restaurants, or experience other cultural and social events in the city.

Schedule a Visit by contacting the Associate Dean’s office or by telephoning 773.643.4411.