Ministers in the Vicinity

For the spring 2024 semester, HDS courses will not be available for the Minister in the Vicinity program.

Ministers, pastors, priests, rabbis, and others who are engaged in full-time ministry, hold a theological degree, and live within 50 miles of HDS may be permitted to register and receive academic credit for a limited number of courses, paying tuition at half the normal rate. Such students may take up to four half courses within four years of admission and, if admitted subsequently to a degree program such as the master of theology, may petition to have their courses credited toward that degree.

Ministers in the Vicinity candidates are limited to enrollment in Divinity School courses only and are not eligible for financial aid. In some cases, registration may be restricted to certain designated HDS courses. They  may not cross-register at the other Schools of Harvard University or the Boston Theological Interreligious Consortium.

The Registrar's Office administers the admissions process for the Minister in the Vicinity program.

For further information, please email the Registrar's Office or call 617.495.5760.