In the United States, graduate departments of religion tend to provide programs for the advanced study of both theology and religious studies. Generally Ph.D. programs exist at universities, but there are some notable seminary exceptions. Top programs in the field include Harvard Divinity School, Yale Divinity School, University of Chicago Divinity School, University of Virginia, University of Notre Dame, Duke Divinity School, Emory University, Vanderbilt Divinity School, The Claremont Graduate University School of Religion, Princeton Theological Seminary, and Union Theological Seminary.
In North America, besides the regional accreditors that schools such as Harvard Divinity School and Princeton Theological Seminary have, there are four private and independent religious recognized accreditation associations of higher learning approved by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation and United States Department of Education.