#  Academics 

 



##  Academics 

Harvard Divinity School offers a challenging and rewarding immersion in the world’s faith traditions, religious studies, and theological subjects. Coursework and conversation, field education, academic excellence, a diverse student body, and Harvard University’s unparalleled resources create a broad and deep educational experience where all voices are welcome.



 

 [ Visit Harvard Divinity School Admissions & Aid arrow\_circle\_right ](/admissions-aid) 

 

       ![HDS students seated in class](/sites/g/files/omnuum5526/files/styles/hwp_21_9__1920x825/public/2025-01/11182024-Johnson_Class-32.jpg?itok=CbqWmz9D) 

 

 



 

 



##  Degree Programs 

 



 [### Master of Divinity (MDiv)

 ](/academics/degree-programs/mdiv-program) 

 

 [### Master of Religion and Public Life (MRPL)

 ](/academics/degree-programs/mrpl-program) 

 

 [### Master of Theological Studies (MTS)

 ](/academics/degree-programs/mts-program) 

 

 [### Master of Theology (ThM)

 ](/academics/degree-programs/thm-program) 

 

 [### Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

 ](/academics/degree-programs/phd-program) 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

##  Registrar's Office 

Students study at HDS, throughout [Harvard University](https://www.harvard.edu/academics/schools/), and [other theological institutions](https://bostontheological.org/) and seminaries in the Boston area. Choose from thousands of courses.

 

 



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 [### Registrar's Office

 ](/academics/registrar) 

 

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 [### Find Courses

 ](/academics/finding-courses)Search HDS and Harvard Courses



 

 

 calendar\_month 

 [### Academic Calendar

 ](/academics/registrar/academic-calendar)See upcoming deadlines



 

 

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 [### Academic Advising

 ](/academics/academic-advising)Academic advising from HDS professors is a key part of directing your HDS education.



 

 

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 [### Cross-Registration

 ](/academics/registrar/cross-registration)Find out more about how to cross-register, whether you’re an HDS student or a non-HDS student.



 

 

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 [### Boston Theological Interreligious Consortium

 ](https://bostontheological.org/)Connecting students, faculty, and staff from 11 interreligious theological and religious studies institutions.



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

##  Faculty Stories 

 



  [### Faith at the Founding: Religion and the American Revolution

 ](/news/2026/06/30/faith-founding-religion-american-revolution) June 30, 2026 

What was religious life like in America in 1776? In this episode of the *Harvard Religion Beat* podcast, Professor Catherine Brekus explores the beliefs, practices, and people that shaped the religious world during the American Revolution.



 

 

   ![Comprehending a view of Harvard, 1808-1809. Cambridge Common from the Seat of Caleb Gannett, Esq. Credit: Harvard Digital Archives, HUV 2208](/sites/g/files/omnuum5526/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2026-06/Colonial-America-Banner.jpg?itok=fFU5bxk-) 

 



 

 

   [### HDS Professors Clooney, Zegarra Reflect on Pope Leo's AI Encyclical

 ](/news/2026/06/18/hds-professors-clooney-zegarra-reflect-pope-leos-ai-encyclical) June 18, 2026 

Pope Leo XIV's recent encyclical addresses the threats and possibilities of artificial intelligence and affirms the dignity of human life in the digital age.



 

 

   ![Pope Leo administering mass](/sites/g/files/omnuum5526/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2026-06/54626132633_395b6ab730_k.jpg?itok=PszDBdG4) 

 



 

 

   [### One Year of Pope Leo: Leadership, Legacy, and the Future of the Catholic Church

 ](/news/2026/05/07/one-year-pope-leo-leadership-legacy-and-future-catholic-church) May 07, 2026 

HDS Professor Raúl Zegarra joins *The Harvard Religion Beat* to explore and analyze Pope Leo's first year as leader of the Catholic Church.



 

 

   ![Pope Leo XIV leads a Mass at St Peter's basilica ](/sites/g/files/omnuum5526/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2026-05/Pope-Leo-HRB-Banner.jpg?itok=0077YjuA) 

 



 

 

   [### HDS Professor Tracey Hucks Elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences 

 ](/news/2026/04/28/hds-professor-tracey-hucks-elected-american-academy-arts-and-sciences) April 28, 2026 

Hucks joins a distinguished cohort of scholars, artists, and leaders recognized for exceptional contributions to their fields.



 

 

   ![Tracey Hucks sitting inside Divinity Chapel](/sites/g/files/omnuum5526/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2026-04/Hucks-AAAS-News_0.jpg?itok=BslZp4lI) 

 



 

 

   [### Christianity and Public Life in China: A Conversation with Yang Visiting Scholar Xi Lian

 ](/news/2026/04/17/christianity-public-life-china-conversation-yang-visiting-scholar-xi-lian) April 17, 2026 

Historian Xi Lian discusses modern Chinese Christianity, “public Christianity” in post-Mao China, and how his year at Harvard Divinity School has shaped his research and teaching.



 

 

   ![Professor Xi Lian](/sites/g/files/omnuum5526/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2026-04/Lian-Banner.jpg?itok=9vf92qev) 

 



 

 

   [### At HDS, Henry Louis Gates, Jr. Explores the History and Future of Black-Jewish Solidarity

 ](/news/2026/04/02/hds-henry-louis-gates-jr-explores-history-and-future-black-jewish-solidarity) April 02, 2026 

During a recent conversation at Harvard Divinity School, Henry Louis Gates, Jr. and panelists discussed his four-part PBS documentary tracing the rich, complex history between Black and Jewish Americans.



 

 

   ![six people sit next to each other in a row speaking together and smiling with a brown background behind and audience members in front](/sites/g/files/omnuum5526/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2026-04/032526_WEB_HC_BJA_%28MelissaBlackall%29_-122%20wide.jpg?itok=gdA9CESZ) 

 



 

 

   [### Harvard Divinity School Faculty Explore Different Traditions Within Christianity

 ](/news/2026/03/12/harvard-divinity-school-faculty-explore-different-traditions-within-christianity) March 12, 2026 

Through personal story and theological reflection, HDS faculty examined how different Christian traditions wrestle with faith, justice, and love.



 

 

   ![David Holland, Kelly Brown Douglas, and Raul Zegarra sit side-by-side during a conversation, with brown wall behind them and sunlight coming in on the left side](/sites/g/files/omnuum5526/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2026-03/OCBChristianity03022026_-122%20wide%20resize%202%20copy.jpg?itok=MD992FZW) 

 



 

 

   [### Advancing Scholarship in Judaism at HDS: A Conversation with Shaul Magid

 ](/news/2026/02/09/advancing-scholarship-judaism-hds-conversation-shaul-magid) February 09, 2026 

In a recent conversation, Shaul Magid, Professor of Modern Jewish Studies in Residence at HDS, reflects on teaching Judaism at a multireligious divinity school and the future of religious studies.



 

 

   ![Shaul Magid standing next to bookcase](/sites/g/files/omnuum5526/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2026-02/Magid-Preferred-News%20resize%20wide.jpg?itok=GZ4k58so) 

 



 

 

   [### Harvard Divinity Faculty Honored at AAR/SBL Religion Conference

 ](/news/2025/12/16/harvard-divinity-faculty-honored-aarsbl-religion-conference) December 16, 2025 

Highlights from the annual meeting reflect the School’s commitment to multireligious and multidisciplinary inquiry.



 

 

   ![Boston, MA skyline at sunset](/sites/g/files/omnuum5526/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2025-12/AAR-SBL-2025Boston-2.jpg?itok=QJL1Nn_q) 

 



 

 

   [### Templeton Foundation Awards $1.2 Million Grant for Global Training in Religion and Mental Health

 ](/news/2025/12/08/templeton-foundation-awards-12-million-grant-global-training-religion-mental) December 08, 2025 

Harvard Divinity School Professor Swayam Bagaria and University of London's Bhrigupati Singh will develop a new program to train mental health professionals to better understand the religious and spiritual lives of the communities they serve.



 

 

   ![Professors Swayam Bagaria and Bhrigupati Singh ](/sites/g/files/omnuum5526/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2025-12/Bagaria-Singh-Templeton-Profile%20%281%29.jpg?itok=tjEBNq3s) 

 



 

 

   [### Ethics and Innovation Meet at HDS Climate Panel

 ](/news/2025/10/30/ethics-and-innovation-meet-hds-climate-panel) October 30, 2025 

In a recent conversation, HDS faculty and alumni explored the intersections of social values, climate innovation, and the interdisciplinary work required to ensure a sustainable future for all.



 

 

   ![Terrence Johnson, Nikki Hoskins, Kurt Keilhacker, Etosha Cave, and Dean Frederick pose for a photo during event](/sites/g/files/omnuum5526/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2025-10/251021HDS_ClimateInno19.jpg?itok=TEoGMmtX) 

 



 

 

   [### Harvard Divinity School Leaders Reflect on Vatican Summit

 ](/news/2025/10/14/harvard-divinity-school-leaders-reflect-vatican-summit) October 14, 2025 

Amid music, prayer, and dialogue at the Vatican, HDS Dean Marla Frederick and Professor Raúl Zegarra share reflections on solidarity, justice, and faith.



 

 

   ![monument in Vatican City at night](/sites/g/files/omnuum5526/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2025-10/10102025-Zegarra-Vatican-2%20banner%20crop.jpg?itok=74gCJwzh) 

 



 

 

  

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##  Ministry Studies 

At HDS, we define ministry broadly: a call to serve others through traditional ordination, chaplaincy, non-profit leadership, doctoral work, and many other occupations. We prepare students in the arts of ministry in a multireligious, academically rigorous environment that fosters the skills and experience needed to enter a life of ministry, however defined.



 

 



 [ Learn More about Ministry Studies arrow\_circle\_right ](/academics/ministry-studies) 

 

 

 

 

 

##  Nondegree Programs 

 



 [### Professional and Lifelong Learning

 ](/academics/professional-lifelong-learning) 

 

 [### Special Student Program

 ](/academics/nondegree-programs/special-students) 

 

 [### Summer Language Program

 ](/academics/summer-language-program) 

 

 [### See All Nondegree Programs

 ](/academics/nondegree-programs)