Accreditation

The University of Chicago is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. The Divinity School is accredited by the Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada, and the following degree programs are approved: AMRS, MDiv, MA, PhD. Below you will find a summary of the placement outcomes for the MA, MDiv and PhD programs; this data is current as of January 2021. Further data on the Divinity School Ph.D. Program progress, completion rates and demographics can be found at https://provost.uchicago.edu/sites/default/files/ProgramStatisticsDIV.pdf.

Statement of Educational Effectiveness
The University of Chicago Divinity School generates new knowledge about the history, theology, beliefs, practices and impact of world religions through a broad array of scholarly approaches that are deeply informed, intellectually curious, and honestly engaged. The School prepares students for careers in scholarship, teaching, and public religious leadership in various forms. Our community of scholars and professionals guide the public’s understanding of religion.

Our Programs

The Master of Arts in Religious Studies (AMRS)
The Master of Arts in Religious Studies is a 1-year program designed for those looking to develop a broad basis of understanding in the academic study of religion and those professionals looking to connect their current field of practice to the study of religion. The average time to completion is 1.9 years; 76.95% of students persist to completion.

The Master of Arts (MA)
The MA is a two-year program that enables students to explore the history, theology, beliefs, and languages of world religions though a variety of scholarly approaches. It is designed for students who wish to acquire the skills to develop a research agenda for doctoral study, or who want a broad and deep grounding in the academic study of religion in preparation for a wide range of professions. The average time to completion is 2 years; 83.15% of students persist to completion. Admission is offered annually.

This graph shows the placement of MA graduates from 2011-2021. About 39% went on to doctoral study, 13% is unknown, 11% went into business & industry, 7% into not-for-profit or social welfare, 7% into higher-ed admin, 5% into non-tenure track college teaching, 5% taught primary or secondary school, 5% to other further studies, 3% into writing, research, and journalism, 2% to other educational instruction, 2% into the service industry, 2% into clergy/religious leadership, and 1% into government.

The Master of Arts in Divinity (MDiv)
The MDiv is a three-year, cohort-based program designed for students from all religious backgrounds who are interested in careers in public religious leadership, whether in traditional ministerial professions or in new and emerging forms of leadership.

This graph shows the placement of MDiv graduates from 2011-2021. About 52% went into clergy positions, 14% went on to doctoral study, 16% went into not-for-profit or social welfare jobs, 5% went into business and industry jobs, 5% went into higher-ed administration jobs, 3% went on to other further studies, 3% of graduates’ placement is unknown, 2% taught primary or secondary school, 2% went into the service industry, and 2% went on to non-tenure track college teaching jobs.

The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
The PhD is a rigorous course of advanced study and research that prepares students for a lifetime of field-defining scholarship, intellectual leadership, and teaching. Students concentrate work in a specific area of study and achieve a high level of expertise. The length of time for program completion is approximately 8 years.

"This graph shows the first placement, or the placement within 24 months after graduation, for PhD graduates between 2011-2021. 36% of graduates went on to teaching in non-tenure track positions, 22% went on to tenured or tenure-track positions, 15% went on to jobs in related religious or not-for-profit work, 17% went on to post-doctoral teaching positions, 8% went on to business or industry jobs, and the placement of 2% of graduates is unknown."

"This graph shows the employment outcomes of PhD graduates after 5 years post-completion between 2005-2015. 58% had tenured or tenure-track jobs in academia, 14% had non-tenure track jobs in academia, 4% had post-doctoral positions in academia, 14% had other related religious or not-for-profit jobs, 9% had jobs in business or industry, and the outcome for 1% of graduates is unknown."