The Candler Foundry is located in the Rita Anne Rollins Building, 1531 Dickey Drive, Room 352. The Candler Foundry staff can be reached at 404.727.3164 or at candlerfoundry@emory.edu. For more information visit candlerfoundry.emory.edu.

THE CANDLER FOUNDRY

The Candler Foundry offers courses, non-degree certificates, webinars, a podcast, and other opportunities designed to help individuals explore theology, grow spiritually, and learn in community. Its goal is to make theological education accessible outside of Candler’s formal degree programs and in formats that are wise, engaging, and relevant to broader audiences, including laity of all denominations, ministry leaders, Sunday School goers, teachers, clergy, and those just curious about faith.

Courses in the Community

The Courses in the Community program offers in-depth learning opportunities led by Candler faculty and hosted at congregations in and beyond Atlanta. These courses are designed to bridge the gap between the church and the academy by developing classes that connect biblical and theological learning to issues and questions that are relevant to faith communities. These courses come in two formats: (1) Master Classes are semester-long courses that are open to both Candler students and community participants and are located in local congregations or taught online. Candler students can enroll in these courses through the normal enrollment process and will receive standard course credits. Community participants can enroll through The Candler Foundry, with no application required. The standard course fee is $150, excluding books. Community members are full participants in the class, with the ability to attend class sessions, engage in classroom discussions, access course materials, and interact with the instructor as would enrolled Candler students. Community participants are permitted, but not required, to submit papers and complete tests. Submitted written work will receive feedback from the instructor but will not be graded. Community participants can apply for continuing education units (CEU), with 4 CEUs being awarded for a 3-credit course. (2) Short Courses range from 3-6 weeks and are conducted in partnership with congregations and other organizations in and beyond Atlanta. Taught by Candler faulty, these courses cover a variety of topics, from the Bible and theology to social justice and Christian leadership. No application is required; course fees vary for $10-$49. Candler students may register for any Short Course but will not receive credit towards the completion of their degree. For more information, visit candlerfoundry.emory.edu/courses.

TheoEd Talks

This ecumenical speaker series brings together leading thinkers in the church and the academy to give the talk of their lives in 20 minutes or less. By packaging powerful ideas in bitesize talks, TheoEd aims to spark conversations that change the way people think about God, religion, and the power of faith to shape lives and communities. Two TheoEd events are conducted each year, one in Atlanta and the other in host cities around the country. Individual talks are accessible for free at TheoEd.com. There one can also find discussion guides, play lists, speaker interviews, and other free resources. For more information, visit TheoEd.com.

Foundations in Faither and Leadership

Foundations in Faith & Leadership is an online certificate program that offers training and micro-credentialing for lay leaders, deacons, church boards, pastors, teachers, activists, community organizers, and other individuals seeking to grow spiritually and professionally through structured, cohort-based learning. Each track consists of four, 6-week courses that can be completed within 8 months. Weekly modules include two hours of independent learning and a 1-hour live discussion session with a trained facilitator. Course content includes brief lectures from leading scholars, short readings, videos, and reflection questions to help you make connections to your life and ministry. Two tracks are available in 2022: Essentials for Biblical Interpretation and Peacebuilding and Conflict Transformation. Additional tracks will be launched in 2023. Tuition is $750 per track. In addition to being enrolled in four courses, participants will receive free digital access to Pitts Theology Library, a professional certificate, and 8 Continuing Education Units. Registration is open to individuals and to groups. For more information visit candlerfoundry.emory.edu/ certificates.

Candler in Conversation

Candler in Conversation is a podcast that focuses on faith vocation, and ministry innovation. Aimed at the Candler community, the podcast consists of short interviews and profiles on Candler students, alumni, faculty, and staff.

Candler Course Access Program

Candler Course Access (CCA) is designed to allow nondegreeseeking persons to audit a select number of Candler courses. CCA students are admitted after completing a brief application process and receiving individual approval through the registrar’s office and by the academic dean. Participation is limited based on space availability. CCA participants will be active observers in the class, with the ability to attend classes meetings, engage in classroom discussion, and access course materials (including the Canvas site), but they will not have individual access to faculty nor should they expect to submit any coursework (e.g., papers or tests) for grading or other evaluation. The CCA fee is $399 for 3 credit hours and is payable upon approval of application. This cost includes an administrative fee, course fee, and continuing education credit (CEU), if desired. Under no circumstances will course access be granted until the fee is paid.

Application Deadlines

Fall Semester: August 1 Spring Semester: December 1 Summer Session: May 1

Application and Admission Process

1. Determine the courses you are interested in by reviewing the course schedules and descriptions.
2. Complete the online registration.
3. If you are accepted, you will be notified via email and invoiced for the fee. The registration fee is due one week prior to the beginning of the course. If the fee is not received by the first class meeting, admission will be canceled. If the class is full or you are not accepted you will not be charged.