https://hds.harvard.edu/academics/degree-programs
Master of Theological Studies (MTS)
- Length of full-time study: 2 years
- Size of program: 172
- Financial aid available (based on eligibility): Institutional grant aid, work-study, federal loans
- Prior graduate study required for admission: None
- Sample core requirements (see HDS Handbook for Students for full degree requirements): 16 courses, 6 of which are in the student’s chosen area of study
- Language requirement to be completed while at HDS: Intermediate competency in a language relevant to area of study, demonstrated through coursework or examination
Master of Divinity (MDiv)
- Length of full-time study: 3 years
- Size of program: 147
- Financial aid available (based on eligibility): Institutional grant aid, work-study, federal loans
- Prior graduate study required for admission: None
- Sample core requirements (see HDS Handbook for Students for full degree requirements): 24 courses, field education, and senior seminar
- Language requirement to be completed while at HDS: 3 courses in a language appropriate to the religious tradition the student is studying
Master of Theology (ThM)
- Length of full-time study: 1 year
- Size of program: 3
- Financial aid available (based on eligibility): Federal loans only
- Prior graduate study required for admission: MDiv or equivalent
- Sample core requirements (see HDS Handbook for Students for full degree requirements): 8 courses, 4 of which are in the student’s chosen area of study
- Language requirement to be completed while at HDS: Intermediate competency in a language relevant to area of study, demonstrated through coursework or examination
Doctor of Philosophy in Religion (PhD)
- Length of full-time study: 5–7 years
- Size of program: 63
- Financial aid available: Five years of tuition and fee assistance plus stipend, including summer stipends after years one through four. The stipend in years three and four is primarily underwritten by Teaching Fellowships. The fifth year of funding is intended for a student's final year in order to complete the dissertation.
- Prior graduate study required for admission is not required, but it is rare for candidates to be admitted without an AM.
- Sample core requirements: Students admitted to this program will register in the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. Courses pertinent to their areas of study are listed in the Courses of Instruction of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences. Full-time study is required during the first two years of the PhD program. This means four half-courses during each term, with a minimum average grade of B. Coursework is followed by general exams, teaching, dissertation and defense. Please explore the requirements and full timeline by reviewing the Committee on the Study of Religion's website.
- Language requirements: All doctoral applicants are expected to have foundational language work needed for primary research (textual or ethnographic) in the area of specialization (Hebrew, Latin, Sanskrit, Arabic, Chinese, etc.) at the time of application. In addition, over the course of the first two years of the program, students must demonstrate reading competence in two modern languages of secondary scholarship relevant to their area of study. These languages are determined in consultation with an adviser after admission to the program. Visit the Committee on the Study of Religion’s website for complete information.
