Harvard Divinity School by the Numbers
Before the year 2025 draws to a close, take a moment to reflect on the impact the Harvard Divinity School (HDS) community had on campus, in communities, and across the country.
Harvard Divinity School is a vibrant, multireligious community where students and scholars come together across diverse religious and cultural traditions to research and study a multitude of religions, explore life’s biggest questions, and find one’s purpose. We crunched the numbers on a small sample of the real-world impact and activities by our multifaith and multifaceted community in 2025.
4 New Strategic Priorities Announced
The strategic plan titled "Harvard Divinity School 2030: Many Paths, Shared Hopes" was released in the fall of 2025 and outlines four core priorities: 1) advance and strengthen the academic study of religion; 2) fully realize the promise of a multireligious academic environment; 3) prepare students to lead in a multireligious world; and 4) enhance HDS visibility, reach, and impact. These strategic priorities are designed to position HDS to benefit more fully from the scholarly expertise of its faculty and innovate within the study of religions for years to come.
15 HDS Faculty Presented at Annual Religion Conference
At the 2025 American Academy of Religion (AAR) and Society of Biblical Literature (SBL) Annual Gathering in Boston, HDS faculty shared their scholarship across a wide range of academic disciplines through paper presentations, book panels, sessions dedicated to newly published works, and celebrations of their contributions to their respective fields.
47 Dignity Bags Donated
During the HDS Staff Council Day of Service, staff assembled and donated dignity bags filled with personal care products for the Circle of Hope, an organization dedicated to providing individuals and families experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity with clothing and hygiene essentials to promote health and opportunity.
48 Varieties of Seeds Planted in the HDS Garden
This spring, students, staff, and faculty planted varieties of tomatoes, cucumbers, kale, squash, beans, and corn alongside perennials in the Harvard Divinity School Garden, a sacred space dedicated to educating community members on the ethical issues that surround sustainable food production and consumption. The fall harvest was donated to Faith Kitchen and First Church Shelter of First Church in Cambridge.
115 Field Education Placements for HDS Students
Ministering to an array of communities through the HDS Field Education Program, students became practitioners integrating theoretical perspectives with the experience they gained in ministry settings across hospitals, academic institutions, churches, and nonprofit organizations.
140 Degrees Conferred
During Commencement, the Class of 2025 degrees were conferred. They received their diplomas in masters of theological studies, masters of divinity, masters of religion and public life, and doctorate of theology during the Diploma Awarding Ceremony.
242 HDS Classes Offered
HDS faculty, visiting scholars, and instructors taught classes to students across the University. Areas of study included an array of languages, an introduction to hieroglyphs, spiritual care and mental health, ministry studies, mystical theology, moral conflict, ethics for the Earth, writing, and a wide range of faith traditions. Courses also explored the many intersections of religious studies, including literature, technology, gender, identity, history, geography, and more.
580 Registrations for HDS Virtual Open House for Prospective Students
Around the world, prospective students are exploring Harvard Divinity School as their next stop on their academic journey. HDS Admissions welcomed interested individuals, provided information, and answered questions at a number of events this fall including a virtual open house with the highest number of registrations on record.
586 Events Hosted by HDS Students
HDS student organizations hosted weekly worship services, meditations, writing workshops, musician jam sessions, and general interest meetings. They also led special events, including the Welcome Community Shabbat Dinner, Poetry from the Muslim World, the HDS Film Fest, World AIDS Day Soup & Salad Potluck, an array of musical offerings, mutual aid fundraisers, and more.
613 Audio-Visual Services Provided
HDS classes, conferences, meetings, and events like Convocation and a panel discussion on social values and climate innovation received audio-visual support from the Office of Information Technology & Media Services to ensure participants in-person and online have the best learning experience possible.
1,070 Gifts Given to Fulfill the Promise of a Multireligious Education
This year so far, donors, alumni, and friends have made vital gifts in support of Harvard Divinity School. Their generosity empowers future ethical leaders, expands scholarly expertise across religious traditions, and shapes learning opportunities at HDS.
7,826 Books Checked Out of the HDS Library
Harvard Divinity School Library—a world-class resource for the study of religion—provides scholarly resources and support services at Harvard. The library staff are always available to help support research, teaching, learning, and collaboration for students and scholars.
