According to R.R. Reno of FirstThings.com, Duke Divinity School in Durham, North Carolina offers one of the country's best doctoral programs in theology. Students who graduate from Duke Divinity School will receive a ThD, or doctor of theology degree. This is a four- or five-year program, which Duke began offering in 2006. According to the school's site, the ThD program is a rigorous course that focuses on Christian topics like worship, art, preaching and evangelism. Students are also educated in theological history, Bible study and ethics. Students in the ThD program also do interdisciplinary work with other departments of the university, combining theology with subjects such as health care and peace work.
Duke Divinity School
Box 90968
Durham, NC 27708
919-660-3400
divinity.duke.edu
Notre Dame's Department of Theology is another of the nation's top doctoral programs in theology. According to the department's site, even though the school part of a Roman Catholic university, the program caters to people of all religions. Notre Dame's PhD program is designed for students interested in teaching, pursuing theological research or doing church service. The school offers numerous concentrations, such as liturgical studies, Christian history, Christianity and Judaism in antiquity and world religions. The department also offers an exchange program with churches in Africa.
Norte Dame
Department of Theology
130 Malloy Hall
Notre Dame, IN 46556
574-631-7811
theology.nd.edu
Princeton University's Department of Religion has a global scope, covering faiths from Islam to the Asian religions. Most students admitted to Princeton's graduate program come from an undergraduate background in religious studies, philosophy or history. Like most PhD programs, Princeton's requires students to submit and defend a dissertation. The program culminates in a public, oral final exam in which the student must defend his dissertation and answer questions related to her field of specialization.
Princeton University
Religion Department
1879 Hall, Washington Road
Princeton, NJ 08544
609-258-2346
princeton.edu/religion