Training for the Ministry
at Harvard

The Theological School in
Harvard University

Formed in 1922 by the affiliation of
Andover Theological Seminary (1808),
and the Harvard Divinity School (1816).

[p. 1]

History of the School

Although the existing Theological School was organized in 1922, being formed by the affiliation of the Harvard Divinity School and Andover Theological Seminary, instruction in theology has been given in Harvard College from its very beginning. Indeed, one of the leading purposes of the founders of Harvard was the training of men for the ministry as appears in the earliest printed reference to the College, published in 1643: --"After God had carried us safe to New England, and wee had builded our houses, provided necessaries for our livelihood, rear'd convenient places for God's worship, and settled the civill government: One of the next things we longed for and looked after was to advance learning and perpetuate it to posterity; dreading to leave an illiterate ministery to the churches, when our present ministers shall lie in the dust."

The differentiation of the Divinity School from the College was very gradual, but the development of a distinctive professional school of theology began in 1816, and the Divinity Faculty was organized in 1819. The constitution of the School prescribed that " every encouragement be given to the serious, impartial, and unbiased investigation of Christian truth, and that no assent to the peculiarities of any denomination of Christians shall be required either of the instructors or students."

Andover Theological Seminary, founded in 1808 at Andover, Massachusetts, was throughout the nineteenth century one of the best known theological schools in the country. In 1908 it was

[p. 3] moved to Cambridge and located adjacent to the Divinity School, the two schools adopting a policy of cooperation. By the present agreement, entered into between the President and Fellows of Harvard College and the Trustees of Andover Theological Seminary in 1922, the Divinity School and Andover Seminary are affiliated as a single Theological School in Harvard University.

A University School

The study of theology to-day is no longer an isolated pursuit. Adequate preparation for the modern ministry calls for contact with the whole thinking of the time. This means that the most effective theological schools are those connected with the larger universities.

This School is an integral part of Harvard University. The privileges of the whole University are open to all our members regularly enrolled and paying the full fee. The student may take any of the courses offered by the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, which are appropriate to his plan of study. Students also have access to the University Library, the museums, gymnasium, and all similar privileges.

The opportunities and advantages open to students in this School, as members of Harvard University, are unsurpassed in America.

A Non-Denominational School

Formerly, men training for the ministry went to a denominational school of theology. The whole tendency to-clay is toward the non-sectarian school. This School stands on the non-denominational basis. Both our faculty and student body include

The School aims to continue the free spirit of religious interest and practice which prevails in our American colleges. It holds, further, that the Christianity which is common to us all can best be studied and understood upon the nondenominational basis. It aims to help Christians of all denominations to know one another, believing that in this way the Unity of the Church can best be effected.

And it proposes, finally, to send a man into the ministry of the Church of his preference, broadly trained and well prepared because of his work in this School.

Admission and Degrees

The School prepares men for the active parish ministry. Candidates for admission must have the A.B. degree, or its equivalent. The regular course requires three years' work in residence and leads to the degree of Bachelor of Theology.

Exceptional opportunities are also given to men wishing to do graduate work in theology, and the School offers the two higher degrees, Master of Theology and Doctor of Theology.

Academic Standards

These conform to the University requirements throughout. This means that the School makes its appeal to men of high academic rank.

It is taken for granted that the student brings to the School a serious purpose, and maintains throughout his course a spirit and conduct consonant with the traditions of the University and of this School, as well as with the profession he proposes to enter.

Affiliated Schools

Affiliated with the University are the Episcopal Theological School in Cambridge, the Boston University School of Theology and the Newton Theological Institution. Members of this School may elect work in any of these affiliated Schools, without additional tuition charge. In. the case of the two latter Schools, located in Boston and Newton, this practice is not uncommon. In the case of the Episcopal School, located in Cambridge near Harvard Square, it is very general.

Cambridge and Boston

Not the least of advantages which Harvard has to offer its students is the opportunity of working in a community rich with great traditions of learning and of service. Cambridge is the oldest and most famous university seat in North America, abounding in historical, literary and romantic associations. It is of inestimable value to the minister to have studied among such surroundings, and to have felt the inspiration which they can give. Furthermore, eight minutes' ride in the subia-ay carries one into the heart of Boston, with its attractions for the lover of music and art, its historic churches -,with their vigorous modern activities, its instructive methods of dealing with various sociological problems.

Expenses, Scholarships, and Self-Help

The annual tuition fee is $150. The average room rent is $l40. Board is about $8 per meek. A fair cost for a full year's residence, including

[p. 9] University charges, room rent, hoard, hooks, and all normal incidentals is $850.

The School offers a limited number of Graduate Fellowships and Scholarships of very considerable amounts.

The School offers in the Middle and Senior years a limited number of Scholarships of $700 each awarded upon academic merit, determined by grades made in the School.

There are an additional number of Hopkins Shares of $400 available for high grade members of the Senior Class.

By an arrangement with Churches in the Greater Boston District, members of the School may obtain "Compensated Field Work " in designated parishes yielding in the junior year $500 and in the Middle year $600. Members of the Senior Class are allowed to assume independent pastoral and preaching positions. Members of the other classes may assume such positions subject to the permission of the Dean. In such case the School makes a partial adjustment of its offer of " Compensated Field Work."

The School thus aims to provide ample Scholarships for its best men and opportunities for selfhelp for all its members.

Further information as to the School may be had on application to

DEAN WILLIAM L. SPERRY,
Andover Hall, Francis Avenue,
Cambridge, Massachusetts.

The Andover-Harvard Theological Library

The library of the School contains one of the richest collections of theological literature iii the country. Its organization as a single library anticipated by more than ten years the present affiliation of the two Schools. The Andover Seminary contribution to the library consists of over 70,000 volumes and the Harvard Divinity School contribution, of over 45,000 volumes. All 1mportant books on theology and its allied branches are purchased on publication, and the collection of current journals of religion is unusually rich.

For purposes of original research the library is well supplemented by the resources of the University library.

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Last modified: April 26, 2005
Copyright ©2002 by the President & Fellows of Harvard College