Expansion of Programs and Schools Offering Dual Degrees in Master of Public Health and Master of Divinity: A Call to Action

A combined degree in public health and divinity provides graduates with unique skills for public health promotion; however, degree programs and schools that offer training in both religion and public health are not widespread. Schools and programs that offer combined degree programs in master of divinity (MDiv) and master of public health (MPH) prepare graduates to enter careers, for example, as pastors, chaplains, researchers, executive directors, health justice policy analysts, academic faculty, workers in palliative care, and inspirational speakers.^1-4 Although most programs and schools that offer MDiv degrees in the United States are based in Christianity, programs and schools also offer MDiv degrees that focus on Islamic studies, ⁵ Buddhist ministry, ⁶ and Christian–Jewish studies. ⁷ Among the available degree programs related to Christian spiritual ministry are programs that focus on biblical studies, Christian education, and Christian counseling and offer masters of theology degrees. We propose a call to action to increase the number of dual-degree programs in MDiv and MPH at US universities.

Religious organizations and institutions have long been an important setting for public health programs in communities. Religious organizations and institutions already commonly promote public health research and programs and provide ways to offer health interventions for the public.^8-12 For example, community public health care providers in Philadelphia partnered with predominantly Black churches to disseminate COVID-19 vaccines and increase vaccination uptake in communities that had structural barriers to vaccination and were, thus, disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. ¹³ Emory University, which already has a dual-degree program in public health and divinity or theological studies, recognized the strengths of its program, including a shorter time to completion; an ability to provide extracurricular programming such as conferences, roundtables, and discussions; a wide network of alumni and peers; and an ability to engage in interdisciplinary learning from both fields. ¹⁴ Graduate education in these combined fields is essential because public health relies on trusted leaders in communities to improve health. ¹⁴

Programs and schools in other disciplines have identified the value of an intersection between their respective field and faith as an essential response to the recognition of spiritual practice as a social determinant of health. Degree programs and schools in medicine, ¹⁵ social work, ¹⁶ and business ¹⁷ offer courses focused on the use of spiritual practices to improve health and overall quality of life. In 2016, 30.4% of US programs and schools that offered master of social work (MSW) degrees had at least 1 course in religion and spirituality. ¹⁸ In addition, more universities are providing dual MSW and MDiv degree programs, including Baylor University, Duke University, Howard University, Rutgers University, University of Georgia, and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.^19-24

Dual MDiv and MPH degree programs have also emerged to further the training of public health care professionals who work in religious settings, including programs at Rollins School of Public Health at Emory University and Yale School of Public Health.^1,25 These dual-degree programs provide unique training that can help prepare public health professionals to integrate their knowledge and skills as both a faith-based leader and public health specialist. Using their knowledge and understanding of how religious practices have been linked with health outcomes can help create and advance meaningful public health programs and practices that consider a wide range of social, emotional, and physical health outcomes. Graduates of these programs are also equipped to advocate for the integration of religion, spirituality, and faith from a public health perspective as members of the community. ²⁶ Such belonging is an important component of public health research and practice, such as community-based participatory research. ²⁷ Those with MDiv and MPH degrees (including people who did not necessarily complete both degrees concurrently) can use their training to collaborate with spiritual leaders to plan, develop, and evaluate public health programs offered in faith-based communities.

We call to focus the equity-related benefits of bringing faith and public health together. Social determinants of health are a key focus to reduce health inequities. The Healthy People Social Determinants of Health Framework includes 5 domains: education and quality, social and community context, economic stability, health care access and quality, and neighborhood and built environment. ²⁸ Religious settings are not only a part of social and community context in aspects of social cohesion and civic participation but a place to engage in public health promotion with the community. In addition, religious organizations may play a role in mitigating other social determinants of health, including poverty, economic inequality, social deprivation, low education level, and lack of access to health care. ²⁹

Emory University’s Religion and Public Health Collaborative acknowledges that religion is a “hidden” social determinant and that religious communities can provide “substantial and sustained resources” to address health inequities and to improve the public’s health.^29,30 Because pastors are often trusted leaders in their communities, training in public health can provide pastors and other religious leaders unique opportunities to help communities. Religious institutions can impact public health status by providing social support, establishing health-related behavioral norms, and increasing social capital in communities. ²⁹

Examples of work to reduce health inequity through partnerships between public health programs and religious communities include the efforts of pastors of traditionally African American churches to reduce adolescent pregnancy ⁸ and to understand the attitudes and awareness of human papillomavirus vaccination among parents in their churches. ⁹ Other examples include promotion of physical activity through US synagogues, ³¹ behavioral interventions to reduce stroke among Latino people in a Catholic church setting, ³² and a peer-to-peer community health program for Syrian refugees at a Baltimore mosque. ³³

Dual-degree programs in divinity and public health are an important approach in the current evolution of public health curricula based on competencies needed for effective practice. However, dual-degree programs in divinity and public health have not yet expanded to their potential. Dual-degree programs can enhance foundational competencies from the Council on Education for Public Health, particularly in the areas of (1) assessing population needs, assets, and capacities that affect public health in communities; (2) applying awareness of cultural values and practices to the design, implementation, or critique of public health policies or programs; (3) proposing strategies to identify community leaders and build coalitions and partnerships that can influence public health outcomes; (4) selecting communication strategies for various audiences; and (5) integrating perspectives from other professions to promote and advance public health. ³⁴ Some US colleges and universities offer individual classes on religion and public health but not full degree programs. These courses are geographically widespread, including offerings at the University of California at Berkeley, Boston University, Harvard University, and Johns Hopkins University.^35-38 These universities may serve as starting points to expand to dual-degree programs in the United States.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, when state and community public health agencies partnered with religious organizations to promote COVID-19 vaccination, ³⁹ the religious organizations demonstrated an ability to impact the health of their communities. ⁴⁰ We propose that expanding dual-degree programs in divinity and public health in the United States can further expand public health promotion and reduce health inequities.