Shaw University’s divinity school in Raleigh, North Carolina, plans to introduce a Doctor of Education degree focused on Artificial Intelligence and Moral Agency starting in January. The program received accreditation approval from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges in June and is pursuing additional approval from the Association of Theological Schools. According to the divinity school’s dean Mark Harden, the initiative represents the institution’s commitment to building AI literacy for vulnerable communities with emphasis on social justice and ethics.
The doctoral program would be the first of its kind within the Association of Theological Schools network at either the master’s or doctoral level, though several divinity schools have begun offering individual courses addressing AI and ethics. The program requires applicants to hold a master’s degree in arts or divinity and have five years of professional experience in pastoral ministry or related fields. Completion is estimated to take three to four years, with most coursework conducted online. At least 66 individuals have expressed interest in the program.
Theological institutions increasingly are engaging with artificial intelligence ethics as the technology expands its role in society. Notre Dame’s Institute for Ethics and the Common Good received a $50 million gift from the Lilly Endowment to support resources helping churches and schools address AI-related challenges. Philip Butler, an associate professor at Iliff School of Theology in Denver, noted that theological schools offer valuable perspectives on these questions, given their deep historical reflection on human agency and moral decision-making.
Shaw University, founded after the Civil War to provide religious literacy to formerly enslaved people, has maintained a focus on civic engagement and social justice throughout its history. The divinity school currently serves approximately 65 students through two master’s degree programs. Faculty hired for the new doctoral program will largely hold certificates in artificial intelligence, supporting the school’s goal of developing specialized expertise in this emerging field.
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