Graduate employment and further study
Harvard Divinity School surveys its alumni annually at the one-year anniversary of their graduation. For the HDS Class of 2020, 71% of the respondents indicated that they were employed primarily, while 21% indicated that they were primarily enrolled in graduate school. 75% of the employed graduates indicated that they are working in their intended field, and 4% indicated that they were currently seeking employment. For those currently employed one year out, the primary career fields are summarized below.
- Education (University/College teaching or research): 22%
- Ministry (Ordained): 17%
- Education (Secondary school or other educational field): 9%
- Other: 7%
- Education (University administration): 6%
- Non-profit management and consulting: 6%
- Business: 5%
- Law: 5%
- Community development, advocacy, or social services: 3%
- Writing: 2%
- Ministry (Lay): 1%
- News media, or other communication fields: 1%
MDiv and MTS Careers 10 Years Out
HDS has been surveying graduates 10 years after their date of graduation since 2012 to learn about their vocational direction. The data—represented in the narrative below—lends insight into the differing paths of graduates from the two programs and represents outcomes captured for students graduating from 2002-10.
Education
Further education figured prominently for many members of the classes studied.
- Approximately 28% of MDiv graduates completed additional graduate degrees, primarily doctorates in religion but also seminary-based masters, education, social work, public health and law degrees.
- 62% of MTS graduates reported advanced degrees. 27% of MTS graduates have earned doctorates (primarily in Religious or Theological Studies), with others earning seminary-based masters, medical, law, social work, business, and public health degrees.
Employment
MDiv Graduates: Employment by Sector
- 53% of the responding graduates with MDiv degrees reported entering ministerial vocations, including ordained orders, lay ministry, and chaplaincy.
- 23% of MDiv graduates entered the education sector as represented by secondary school teaching, university teaching and university administration.
- A smaller, but measurable, percentages of alumni reported careers focusing on public policy, nonprofit management, counseling and psychology, and writing /communications.
MTS Graduates: Employment by Sector
- Approximately half of MTS graduates (47%) work in the education sector, primarily university teaching and administration, but also secondary school teaching and administration.
- Another 34% of MTS graduates are medical, legal, and management professionals employed in nonprofits, the public sector, healthcare and human services, and writing/communications.
Other activities
Both MDiv and MTS alumni reported a high percentage of secondary activities aligned with their missional interests. These commitments included serving on nonprofit boards, artistic endeavors, research, public service and volunteering, adjunct teaching, and writing.