Description of program: Emory's program in Person, Community, and Religious Practices (PCRP) is a broad interdisciplinary program focused on the intersection of theological and religious studies with social scientific studies of the person, interpersonal relations, and community life and practice. It has a major optional orientation toward practical theology including pastoral theology. Programs of study are highly individualized and qualified students may take courses throughout the university (e.g. in women's studies, psychoanalysis, and anthropology). The program features close student-faculty relations and affords a large degree of freedom for studentÕs programs, plus an extensive program in the theory and practice of teaching including apprenticeship teaching under faculty supervision in the college and seminary.

Faculty and faculty interests: Faculty includes Eugene Bianchi, Charles Foster, James Fowler, Charles Hackett, Rodney Hunter, Brian Mahan, Mary Elizabeth Moore, Thee Smith, and John Snarey. Faculty interests range widely but tend to converge in various forms of practical theology including a major interest for several in pastoral theology and religious education. More specific areas of interest in the PCRP faculty include aging, faith and moral development, multicultural community and education, feminism, systematic practical theology, theology of pastoral care and counseling, liturgical studies and care, object relations theory, personal commitment, violence and peacemaking, spirituality, ethics of ambition, and in Freud, Jung, and religion. Faculty in such fields as sociology of religion, psychoanalytic studies, cultural anthropology, systematic and historical theology, and ethics often work closely with PCRP students as well.

Admissions requirements: A master's degree in religion and theology. Admission is highly competitive for a limited openings out of a total of 16 openings in the Division of Religion. PCRP usually admits 2 or 3 per year, 1 of which is often in pastoral theology.

Clinical component: This is a research and teaching degree and there is no formal clinical component for pastoral theology students although such students usually pursue clinical supervision at local pastoral counseling centers during their years in the program.

Duration of program: Usually 5 years, maximum 8 years.

Titles of recent dissertations:1) Alien Occupancy: Reconsidering the Phenomenon of the Demonic for a Postmodern and Cross-Cultural Pastoral Care; 2) The Self as Metaphor: Empirical, Psychological, and Theological Approaches.

Cost and financial aid: Students receive full tuition plus a stipend of $11,450 for 1999-2000, renewable for 3 additional years; a few special university-wide awards pay more.

Graduate placement: Most graduates teach in seminary and university settings in the U.S. and in Europe including 1 medical school; others practice pastoral counseling and parish ministry or hold responsible positions in public-service organizations.

Current number of students in coursework: 24.

Contact person: Rodney Hunter, 404-727-6342, rhunt02@emory.edu.

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