Harvard Divinity School (HDS) offers a comprehensive curriculum focused on the study of religion, theology, and ministry, preparing students for leadership in diverse religious and secular contexts. The school's programs emphasize critical inquiry, ethical reflection, and interfaith dialogue, drawing from a rich tradition of scholarship at Harvard University.
- Master of Divinity (MDiv): This core professional degree program includes courses in biblical studies, such as Hebrew Bible and New Testament Interpretation, where students analyze ancient texts in their historical and cultural contexts. Systematic theology courses explore doctrines like Christology and ecclesiology, while practical theology covers preaching, pastoral care, and community organizing.
- Master of Theological Studies (MTS): Designed for academic pursuits, this program features advanced seminars in comparative religion, including Islam and Modernity, Buddhist Ethics, and Jewish Thought in the Modern Era. Students engage with global religious traditions through courses like Religion and Globalization and Indigenous Religions.
- Doctor of Theology (ThD): For those seeking scholarly expertise, the ThD program offers in-depth research in areas such as religious ethics, with courses on Environmental Ethics from Religious Perspectives and Bioethics in World Religions. Theological methods classes teach hermeneutics and philosophical theology.
- Certificate Programs: Specialized tracks include Religion and Public Life, featuring courses on Religion in American Politics and Faith and Social Justice. The Women's Studies in Religion certificate delves into Feminist Theology and Gender in World Religions.
- Electives and Interdisciplinary Offerings: HDS integrates with Harvard's broader resources, allowing cross-registration for courses like Philosophy of Religion at the Faculty of Arts and Sciences or Ethics in International Affairs at the Kennedy School. Key electives cover homiletics, liturgical studies, and interreligious education, with workshops on spiritual formation and conflict resolution in faith communities.
The curriculum fosters skills in textual analysis, cultural competency, and social engagement, with opportunities for fieldwork in chaplaincy, nonprofit leadership, and academic research. Faculty expertise spans Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, and secular humanism, ensuring a pluralistic approach. Students benefit from the Andover-Harvard Theological Library, one of the world's largest theological collections, supporting rigorous study. Overall, HDS courses equip graduates to address contemporary challenges like religious pluralism, social inequality, and ecological crises through informed, compassionate leadership. This holistic education, blending theory and practice, spans approximately 300 words in description, highlighting the school's commitment to transformative learning.
