Raleigh divinity school offers AI PhD

Shaw University in Raleigh is moving into doctoral education with a program that ties artificial intelligence to theology, ethics and public decision-making. The university said on June 24 that the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges approved it to offer doctoral-level degrees, allowing Shaw University Divinity School to launch a Doctor of Education in Artificial Intelligence and Moral Agency. Shaw said the first cohort is scheduled to begin in Spring 2027 and will enroll 12 students. The program gives a concrete example of how theological schools are trying to respond to AI as a governance and ethics issue, not only as a classroom tool. Shaw described the degree as an interdisciplinary, practice-oriented doctorate focused on AI literacy, AI use and applied theological ethics for leaders working in public, private and church settings. Religion News Service reported that Shaw is also pursuing approval from the Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools. (shawu.edu) ### Which school is offering the degree, and why does Raleigh matter here? Shaw University is the institution behind the new degree, not Duke or another Raleigh-area divinity school. Shaw says it was founded in 1865 and describes itself as the first Historically Black College or University in the South, with roots in training freed slaves in teaching, social work and religious education. Its divinity school says that history still shapes its mission of preparing adult learners for ministry and ethical leadership across society. (shawu.edu) Religion News Service said the school was founded at the end of the Civil War by Union soldier and Baptist minister Henry Martin Tupper to provide formerly enslaved people with religious literacy. Dean Mark Harden told RNS that Shaw now sees AI literacy as a related task, especially for vulnerable communities and questions of social justice. (shawu.edu) ### What exactly is the degree? The credential is a Doctor of Education, or Ed.D., in Artificial Intelligence and Moral Agency. Shaw says the degree is aimed at producing leaders who can assess AI systems and help shape ethical norms around fairness, accountability, human dignity and equity. (crescent-news.com) Mark Harden, dean of Shaw University Divinity School, said AI is already influencing decisions in healthcare, criminal justice, hiring and public policy. He said those decisions raise questions that “technical fields alone cannot resolve,” and that theological and moral traditions have long worked on those problems. (shawu.edu) ### Who is the program built for? Shaw said the degree is designed for non-traditional adult learners, especially bi-vocational and pastoral leaders. The university said applicants should have at least five years of leadership experience and an accredited graduate theological degree, such as a Master of Divinity or a Master of Arts in Theology and Ministry. (shawu.edu) The divinity school says its broader approach is to prepare “spiritual and ethical leaders” for church, workplace and civic settings. Shaw also said demand has grown among bi-vocational ministry leaders who now work across more than 35 professional fields. (shawu.edu) ### Is this the first program of its kind? Shaw said the Ed.D. is the first program of its kind at an HBCU. Chris Meinzer, chief operating officer of the Association of Theological Schools, told Religion News Service that Shaw’s AI degree would be the first in the ATS network at either the master’s or doctoral level if it receives that body’s approval. He said several divinity schools have begun offering individual classes in AI and ethics instead. (shawu.edu) Duke Divinity School, another prominent North Carolina divinity school, lists doctoral offerings including the Th.D. and D.Min., but not a doctorate specifically in AI and Moral Agency. Duke has separately highlighted AI-and-ethics work through seminars and university-wide initiatives, underscoring that the subject is spreading across theological and academic institutions even where it is not a standalone degree. (shawu.edu) ### What happens next for the program? Spring 2027 is the target start date for Shaw’s first cohort, and the university said applications began being accepted in summer 2026. Shaw said future cohorts are expected to enroll each fall and spring after that. Religion News Service reported that the school is still working to secure approval from the Association of Theological Schools’ accrediting commission. (divinity.duke.edu) (shawu.edu)