THE ROOTS OF THE GDR GO BACK TO 1956 WHEN WILLIAM RAGSDALE CANNON, then dean of the Candler School of Theology, in concert with the Department of Religion at Emory College, helped launch the Graduate Division of Religion.
Since 1958, the GDR has enrolled students pursuing the doctor of philosophy (Ph.D.) degree. As one of the oldest doctoral programs at Emory University, the GDR has grown with Emory's Graduate School. It is now the second largest doctoral program at the university. As soon as Emory College moved from Oxford to its new home in Atlanta, it was joined by the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. At first, the Graduate School offered the master of arts and master of science degrees. Not until 1941, however, would it expand its repertoire to include the master of arts in teaching degree, and not until 1948 did it award its first Ph.D. degree.
Today, the GDR has
Graduate Division of Religion Brochure
