#  Ministry Studies 

 



##  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.



 

 [ Explore Our Field Education Program arrow\_circle\_right ](/academics/ministry-studies/field-education) 

 

      ![092524-NoonService-Mormonisms-014](/sites/g/files/omnuum5526/files/styles/hwp_4_3__1540x1160/public/2024-12/092524-NoonService-Mormonisms-014.jpg?itok=9wp-_4Wv) 

 

 



 

 



 

## Our Approach

The education of learned ministers has been central to Harvard since its founding. Today, the members of the HDS student body reflect an extraordinary diversity of backgrounds and ambitions, and there is something in every field of study that can support ministry preparation.

Recognizing that the world is a religiously pluralistic place, students of many faith communities—and none—study side by side here in order to foster a greater understanding of their own traditions in the context of others. Interreligious engagement is key to our approach.



 

 

 

##  Ministry Studies By the Numbers 2024-25 

 



147

Master of Divinity Students

 



35+

Religious Traditions Represented

(and many unaffiliated students)

 



100+

Field Education Sites

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

### Denominational Instruction 

 

The multireligious master of divinity degree nurtures the skills necessary for professional ministry in a post-denominational world. Any person seeking ordination should contact their denomination, both at the local and organizational level, for a full understanding of specific requirements.



 [Denominational Counselors chevron\_right](/academics/ministry-studies/denominational-instruction) [Master of Divinity Degree chevron\_right](/academics/degree-programs/mdiv-program) 

 



      ![Jewish polity class taught by a denominational counselor](/sites/g/files/omnuum5526/files/styles/hwp_1_1__480x480/public/hds2/files/acadmindenom-04112016-jewishpolityclass7167.jpg?itok=VDMxolYi) 

 

 

  

 



 

 

 

 

##  Ordination Requirements 

Different faith traditions have different requirements for ordination. Learn more:

 

 



 [### Baptist Ordination

 ](/academics/ministry-studies/denominational-instruction/ordination-requirements/baptist-ordination) 

 

 [### Buddhist Ordination

 ](/academics/ministry-studies/denominational-instruction/ordination-requirements/buddhist-ordination) 

 

 [### Jewish Ordination

 ](/academics/ministry-studies/denominational-instruction/ordination-requirements/jewish-ordination) 

 

 [### Lutheran Ordination

 ](/academics/ministry-studies/denominational-instruction/ordination-requirements/lutheran-ordination) 

 

 [### Methodist Ordination

 ](/academics/ministry-studies/denominational-instruction/ordination-requirements/methodist-ordination) 

 

 [### Pentecostal Ordination

 ](/academics/ministry-studies/denominational-instruction/ordination-requirements/pentecostal-ordination) 

 

 [### Presbyterian Ordination

 ](/academics/ministry-studies/denominational-instruction/ordination-requirements/presbyterian-ordination) 

 

 [### Unitarian Universalist Ordination

 ](/academics/ministry-studies/denominational-instruction/ordination-requirements/unitarian-universalist-ordination) 

 

 [### United Church of Christ Ordination

 ](/academics/ministry-studies/denominational-instruction/ordination-requirements/united-church-christ-ordination) 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

### Field Education 

 

Authentic training for the ministry must include both practical experience and reflection on that experience. The Field Education Program at HDS is built around guided learning experiences that integrate theory and practice to develop professional attitudes.



 [More about Field Education chevron\_right](/academics/ministry-studies/field-education) 

 



      ![Student preaching from a lectern](/sites/g/files/omnuum5526/files/styles/hwp_1_1__480x480/public/hds2/files/acadminfielded-12042018-seasons-of-light-service-096.jpg?itok=cWQ5tyX-) 

 

 

  

 



### Buddhist Ministry Initiative 

 

The Buddhist Ministry Initiative at Harvard Divinity School trains future Buddhist religious professionals from around the world in terms appropriate to modern, global conditions and their own traditions.



 [More about the Buddhist Ministry Initiative chevron\_right](/academics/ministry-studies/buddhist-ministry-initiative) 

 



      ![Buddhist monks studying at HDS, in the audience of a conference](/sites/g/files/omnuum5526/files/styles/hwp_1_1__480x480/public/hds2/files/acadminbmi-04242015_bmi_panel_intlministry0876.jpg?itok=51wJajZh) 

 

 

  

 



 

 

 

 

##  Contact Ministry Studies 

**Location**: Divinity Hall, 2nd floor

**Hours:** (academic year)  
Monday–Friday, 9am–5pm

**Phone**  
617.496.5711

**Email:**  
To request a meeting, please send a note to <ministrystudies@hds.harvard.edu> with your availability and a brief explanation of what you'd like to discuss.

 

 



  [### Teddy Hickman-Maynard

 ](/people/teddy-hickman-maynard) <ministrystudies@hds.harvard.edu>Associate Dean for Ministry Studies

Lecturer on Ministry

 

 

 

   [### Leslie MacPherson

 ](/people/leslie-macpherson) <ministrystudies@hds.harvard.edu>Departmental Administrator, Office of Ministry Studies

 

 

 

   [### Jonathan Makransky

 ](/people/jonathan-makransky) <ministrystudies@hds.harvard.edu>Multireligious Ministry Initiatives Coordinator, Office of Ministry Studies

 

 

 

   [### Monica Sanford

 ](/people/monica-sanford) <ministrystudies@hds.harvard.edu>Assistant Dean for Multireligious Ministry

Lecturer in Ministry Studies

 

 

 

   [### Laura Tuach

 ](/people/laura-tuach) <ministrystudies@hds.harvard.edu>Assistant Dean for Ministry Studies and Field Education