FATC, Columbia, ITC, and GSU Offer Dual Degree Program for Divinity and Public Policy Degrees

Faith And The City e.Letter
Volume 3, Issue 3
March 9, 2004

The Faith And The City programs at Columbia Theological Seminary and the Interdenominational Theological Center (ITC) have partnered with the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies at Georgia State University to launch a unique new dual degree program. Students at the three institutions now may enroll in joint classes toward the Master of Divinity (M.Div.) degree from one of the seminaries and the Master of Science (M.S.) degree in Urban Policy Studies from the Andrew Young School.

"Our goal is to help congregational leaders become better informed and more effective in their roles as public leaders," explained Dr. Harvey K. Newman, director for Faith And The City at Columbia, professor at the Andrew Young School, and a member of the ordained clergy of the United Church of Christ. "Faith leaders are called to amplify the voice of faith in our communities and lead informed dialogue on public issues."

Concurring was Dr. Miriam Burnett, director for Faith And The City at the Interdenominational Theological Center, who added that the role of public religious leadership today is as crucial as ever. "Our wonderfully pluralistic society faces a host of complex issues and opportunities, from homelessness to environmental justice," said Burnett, an ordained elder in the African Methodist Episcopal Church. "We need leaders who are women and men from various faith traditions. Even more, we need their moral insights on the public issues that confront us all."

Founded in 1999 by former Ambassadors James T. Laney and Andrew Young, who continue to serve as co-chairs of the nonprofit organization, Faith And The City fosters a sense of community throughout the 20-county metro Atlanta region. Among its various initiatives, the organization works in partnership with area seminaries, including Candler School of Theology at Emory University, Candler, ITC, and McAfee School of Theology at Mercer University, to enhance public religious leadership development. Other Faith And The City initiatives include public issues forums, website, newsletter, e.Letter, interfaith dialogue program on cable TV, and the Congregational Exchange Initiative.

For more information, visit the organization's websites:

Andrew Young School of Policy Studies, http://www.gsu.edu/~wwwsps/index.html
Candler School of Theology, http://www.candler.emory.edu
Columbia Theological Seminary, http://www.ctsnet.edu
Interdenominational Theological Center, http://www.itc.edu
McAfee School of Theology, http://theology.mercer.edu