HDS - AFA - Nondegree Programs, Research Opportunities, Continuing Education

Admissions and Financial Aid

Nondegree Programs, Research Opportunities, and Continuing Education

Special Students | Visiting Scholars, Postdoctoral Fellows, Research Associates |
Ministers in the Vicinity | Resident Fellows | Auditing

Special Students

The Special Student program affords the opportunity for nondegree students to do coursework at the Divinity School. Students in this category may enroll for the equivalent of up to eight half courses for credit within a period of up to two years. International students accepted under this status must enroll for a minimum of three half courses for credit each term. Students receive full credit for work completed in this program and may transfer these credits elsewhere, or in some cases may petition to have some or all of the work count toward completion of one of the degree programs of the Divinity School.

Special Students pay full regular tuition and are not eligible for school or university financial aid. Students may cross-register for as many as half of their courses in other schools of the University or within member schools of the Boston Theological Institute (BTI). Courses may also be audited with the permission of the instructor and payment of the auditor's fee ($365 per half course).

Application information: The requirements for admission and the application procedure are the same as those for the master of divinity and master of theological studies programs. Candidates should be aware that admission to Special Student status is not an indicator of future admission to other degree programs at Harvard Divinity School. For further information regarding the Special Student program, contact the Office of Admissions and Financial Aid at 617.495.5796 or admissions@hds.harvard.edu.

Visiting Scholars, Postdoctoral Fellows, Research Associates

The Divinity School welcomes each year a small number of active scholars who wish to pursue scholarly projects here, generally in each case under the sponsorship of or in active research collaboration with a Harvard faculty member, but also independently or as a part of a particular program or research project at HDS. Most visiting scholars, postdoctoral fellows, and research associates are non-stipendiary, non-salaried appointees, although annually a small number are supported by a specific research project or program.

Visiting scholars are normally distinguished faculty members or emeriti from other universities or colleges.
Postdoctoral fellows are scholars with or without another university affiliation, who are within five years of conferral of the doctorate and who wish to pursue research at Harvard for a term or a full year.
Research associates are scholars accepted by a particular unit of HDS and are appointed in order to pursue their independent research here in the context of the program, project, or center that accepts them. At present, there are annually five research associates in the Women's Studies in Religion Program (WSRP) and a variable but small number at the Center for the Study of World Religions (CSWR).

Application information: The admissions process for these programs is administered by the Office of Academic Administration, which can be contacted at academic_administration@hds.harvard.edu or 617.495.3638.

Ministers in the Vicinity

Ministers, pastors, priests, rabbis, and others who are engaged in full-time ministry, hold a theological degree, and live within 50 miles of HDS may be permitted to register and receive academic credit for a limited number of courses, paying tuition at half the normal rate. Such students may take up to four half courses within four years of admission, and, if admitted subsequently to a degree program such as the master of theology, may petition to have their courses credited toward that degree.

Minister in the Vicinity candidates are limited to enrollment in Divinity School courses only and are not eligible for financial aid. In some cases, registration may be restricted to certain designated HDS courses. Students may enroll in classes for credit or under auditing status paying a reduced auditor's fee ($183 per half course).

The admissions process for Ministers in the Vicinity is administered by the Office of Ministry Studies, which can be contacted at 617.495.4536 or ministrystudies@hds.harvard.edu.

Resident Fellows

The Divinity School provides an opportunity for sabbatical study for missionaries and executives of denominations and religious bodies who wish to be in residence at the School while on leave from their regular duties. The period of residence is one semester at a cost of $5,386.

Application information: The admissions process for Resident Fellows is administered by the Office of Ministry Studies, which can be contacted at 617.495.4536 or ministrystudies@hds.harvard.edu.

Auditing

Ministers and others who wish to audit courses may do so by paying the auditor's fee ($365 per half course), as well as a $50 registration fee. Permission of the instructor is required. No credit for this work is given, nor are transcripts issued. Arrangements to audit can be made no later than the last day to drop/add classes each semester.

Auditing information: The auditing process is administered through the Registrar's Office, which can be contacted at registrar@hds.harvard.edu or 617.495.5760.