Apply to SLP

The SLP is no longer accepting applications for the 2026 session. Applicants will be notified of their course status by May 26, 2026.

The Summer Language Program (SLP) at HDS has an open admission policy, and anyone who is currently registered at a college or university, a life-long learner, or who has a professional interest, is welcome to apply. We are currently not accepting high-school students due to the accelerated pace of the program.

Students are encouraged to take advantage of the Summer Language Program as a means of preparing to meet language requirements without the pressures of other simultaneous coursework. It should be noted, however, that many students have found the amount of work required by SLP to prohibit full-time employment during the summer, and working full-time while taking the SLP is not recommended. 

To support compliance with U.S. export controls and sanctions, Harvard has in place Restricted Party and Export Controls Screening for educational programs that may involve international participation. For more information, please visit Harvard's Export Control Policies & Procedures web page. 

Application Materials

  • Completed application form
  • Unofficial Transcript

Applying to SLP as a HDS Student

HDS students are able to take language courses during the academic year as a regular course without additional cost. Students may only take one SLP course at a time due to the intensive nature of the language immersion. It is not possible to take several SLP classes during the same SLP/in the same year.

HDS students may enroll in the SLP during their degree time at HDS only once at the program fee rate. SLP credits are eligible to count toward your degree program only during the first enrollment. If you are an HDS student and would like to participate in the SLP every year, that’s possible, but at a different tuition rate after the first year. 

Field Education

HDS students participating in an internship for their degree program during the summer, please check with your degree administrator about whether you are permitted to take the SLP at the same time.

Due to the demands of each program, HDS students are not permitted to enroll in field education during the same summer they enroll in the SLP. Additionally, HDS students are not permitted to audit a class in the SLP while registered for field education. 

Master of Religion and Public Life

Students in the Master of Religion and Public Life (MRPL) Program are welcome to apply to the SLP and pay the program fee. They may not use SLP toward MRPL degree requirements. Any exceptions to this rule require written permission of the faculty director of the MRPL program.

Certificate in Religion and Public Life

HDS Master of Divinity and Master of Theological Studies candidates who are pursuing the Certificate in Religion and Public Life (CRPL) cannot take Summer Language Program concurrent with their CRPL internships and their enrollment in HDS 4000A.

Applying to SLP as a Non-HDS Student

Non-HDS students taking the SLP for course credit (except for Boston Theological Interreligious [BTI] Consortium students) will be charged full tuition. Auditing classes (no course credit) is possible with tuition payment. Please see the tuition page for more details regarding the tuition for auditors.

The SLP is unable to grant or assist with Student Visas/I-20s for international students. 

BTI Students

Please consider the following information when signing up for the Harvard Divinity School Summer Language Program:

  • The BTI consortial agreement does not extend to SLP enrollment. Therefore, SLP courses are not listed in the BTI catalog and the SLP registration does not go through the cross-registration portal.
  • BTI students who are interested and want to enroll in the HDS SLP must complete the SLP application and pay the reduced tuition. Please see the tuition page for updated rates.

  • Before submitting an application:

    • BTI students should also check with their home schools to see whether, or not, the SLP course they intend to take will meet any degree requirements.
    • If cost of the program is a consideration, students within the BTI schools should check with their respective school’s financial aid office to see if they are eligible for aid from their school.
    • Unfortunately, HDS is unable to offer financial aid for the SLP.

    Should you have any further questions, please contact the SLP Office.