Black Church Studies

The Black Church Studies Certificate Program (BCSCP) at Yale Divinity School (YDS) offers a Certificate in Black Church Studies for students who wish to respond to the evolving work of the Black Church and to the critical needs of marginalized communities. The program is open to students interested in serving in historically Black congregations, and /or who are inspired by the rich and ecumenically diverse traditions of the Black Church. 

The BCSCP at YDS supports the inquiry of, and engagement with, practices of African American churches and other Christian communities throughout the African Diaspora. To cultivate such inquiry the BCS Certificate Program offers opportunities for dialogue with emerging and existing leaders in the Black church and in the broader community. 

Through course work, colloquia, special lectures and other culturally relevant events, the BCSCP creates the opportunity for innovative and interdisciplinary thinking, and space for dialogue that supports the development of a student’s unique voice and perspective on Black religious life. 

Director: Rev. Joanne Browne Jennings

BCSCP Requirements

  • Course work of at least twelve (12) credit hours of African American religious inquiry. One course must examine some aspect of African American history. 
  • Participation in one (1) colloquium per semester 
  • Participation in either the annual YDS/ New Haven Pilgrimage or the Biennial BCSCP Retreat. 
  • Complete one (1) supervised ministry in a BCSCP approved site.
  • Participate in a regular meeting designed specifically for BCSCP participants. 
  • MDiv students are required to confirm with the BCSCP director their intention to receive the BCS certificate at the beginning of their second year of study, no later than the last day to change a course grade for that semester. 
  • MAR students are required to confirm with the BCSCP director their intention to receive the BCS certificate at the beginning of the spring semester of their first year of study, no later than the last day to change a course grade for that semester. 
  • STM students are required to confirm with the BCSCP director their intention to receive the BCS certificate at the beginning of their course of study, no later than the last day to change a course grade for that semester. STM students are also required to offer a presentation tied to their research project in relation to Black Church Studies, at the end of their course of study. 

For Fall 2024

Fall 2024 course work that meets the requirements for the Black Church Studies Certificate Program are listed below:

  • REL 3614 – Creating Financially Sustainable Churches and Nonprofits 
  • REL 607  – Theology and Violence
  • REL 637  – Doctrine of Creation
  • REL 679  – Slavery and Obedience
  • REL 740  – Battle for the Soul of America: Christianity and the Culture Wars
  • REL 800  – Introduction to Public Theology, Public Policy, and Moral Fusion Movements in America
  • REL 809  – Black Preaching in the Elm City: A Contextual Exploration
  • REL 815  –  Radical Pedagogy
  • REL 824  – Ministry and the Disinherited 
  • REL 831  – Is it a Sermon?
  • REL 883  – Pastoral Perspectives on Death and Dying
  • REL 887  – Narrative  Spiritual Care
  • REL 924  – Foundations of Islam: Understanding of Muslim Tradition, Practice, and Encounter
  • REL 943 – Gospel, Rap, and Social Justice: Prison and the Arts
  • REL 947 – Contemporary Worship Music: Commerce Style and Ethics
  • REL 997 – Black Religion, Black Thought
  • REL 3990 – Negotiating Boundaries * all students are reminded that this is a required prerequisite for supervised ministry. 

Contact

Academic Affairs

(203) 432-6340
(203) 432-7475
N122

Office of Supervised Ministries

(203) 436-5703
(203) 432-5356
S127a