Cooperative Master of Divinity
Cooperative M.Div. students take full advantage of Hartford’s one-of-a-kind setting where students from all over the world study, pray, and prepare for public ministry together.
While engaging in studies in traditional areas of Christian ministry, Cooperative Master of Divinity Students will learn together with colleagues from other religious traditions, developing knowledge and building skills for ministry in a multifaith world, before moving on to complete degrees at Yale Divinity School, Boston University School of Theology, Drew Theological School, Chicago Theological Seminary’s online program, or Meadville Lombard Theological School.
Hartford International’s agreements allow Cooperative M.Div. students to begin their studies at Hartford International and, if accepted, to proceed to any of the partner institutions to complete their Master of Divinity (M.Div.) degree.
Students in the Cooperative M.Div pathway will apply for and enroll in the Ministerial Studies track of our MA in Interreligious Studies to take advantage of Hartford International’s interreligious context and transfer in a maximum of 36-credits toward an M.Div. degree. Students will not complete their degree at Hartford International, but will be awarded a “Certificate of Ministerial Studies” when they transfer. They will then complete their M.Div. degree at one of the partner institutions.
Students will receive supportive, personalized attention in their degree program as they discern their pathway to ministry and seek to meet the separate requirements of their own denomination or religious community for ordination, licensure, or formalized public ministry.
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In general, any student choosing to pursue the Cooperative Master of Divinity pathway should to be aware of the following:
- Students will apply to the Master of Arts in Interreligious Studies program, indicating their interest in the Ministerial Studies specialization and their intent to transfer to a partner institution.
- Once matriculated, students should meet with the Academic Dean for an advising session regarding their intention to apply to a partner institution.
- Before applying to Boston University School of Theology (BU), Chicago Theological Seminary (CTS), Drew University Theological School (Drew), Meadville Lombard Theological School (MLTS), or Yale Divinity School (YDS) through the Cooperative M.Div. pathway, the student must be in good standing and must have completed at least 24 credits at Hartford International. At least 12 of the 24 credits must have been earned in courses taught by at least two different core faculty or faculty associates.
- When applying to any of our partner institutions, a letter of reference will be supplied by the Academic Dean’s office, as one of the required recommendation letters.
- For students intending to matriculate to YDS, be aware that YDS will not transfer in week-long intensive courses taken at Hartford International during the January or June terms. Similarly, YDS will not transfer in any asynchronous courses taken online.
Advising Guidelines
Advising guidelines are intended to help students in the Cooperative M.Div. pathway make informed choices about the courses they should take at Hartford International that will satisfy curricular requirements at each institution. Thus, the Ministerial Studies specialization is intended to provide a clear pathway for students to transfer the maximum 36 credits to their M.Div. degree. Students should be aware, however, that whether or not a Hartford International course will meet a specific area requirement is a determination that is finally in the hands of each partner institution, and that decision is made after the student has applied and been admitted. These guidelines are a reliable guide of equivalency, but not guarantees. Course offerings and degree/curricular requirements (or configurations) at all institutions change over time. Students should check the website for the most recent version of these documents.
Procedures for Students in the Coop MDiv (2023)
BU Advising Guidelines(updated 2023)
CTS Advising Guidelines(updated 2023)
Drew Advising Guidelines(updated 2021)
MLTS Advising Guidelines(updated 2023)
YDS-MDIV-Advising-Guidelines(updated 2023)
If, for any reason, a student is not accepted into a partner institution, does not matriculate, or decides not to transfer, they may still complete the final requirement of the Ministerial Studies specialization and graduate with a Master of Arts in Interreligious Studies at Hartford International.
The Value of Experience
Mentoring
Many students need time to discern whether or not they are called to ministry. You will be assigned to a caring faculty advisor who will guide you through this process. You will also have access to “discernment circles” and spiritual direction through our partners at the Spiritual Life Center.
Faculty
Our faculty are dedicated scholars from different faith traditions who will provide a rigorous theological education as a foundation for your ministry. Some courses are team-taught to provide even more access to an interreligious experience.
Alumni
After graduation, you’ll connect with colleagues from around the world as you prepare for your next steps on the journey toward ministry. Many graduates tell us how valuable it is to have a network of leaders from different faiths and from around the world.
Opportunities and Highlights
Related Blog Posts
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“Interreligious” and “interfaith” are often used interchangeably, though some scholars, practitioners, and activists favor one term over the other. Learn more about how we define these two terms, their similarities, and their differences. The post Interreligious vs. Interfaith: Exploring the Similarities and Differences Between These Terms first appeared on Religion & Peace.
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As we approach the anniversary of the Hamas attacks on Israel and mark a year of living with the unimaginable, one thing is clear: The kind of peacebuilding and interreligious dialogue work we do at Hartford International University must become the norm rather than the exception. The post Peacebuilding Must Become the Norm first appeared on Religion & Peace.
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Broaden your perspective. Deepen your ability to make a difference. Hartford International University programs prepare religious leaders and peacemakers who go beyond their own beliefs to embrace people of all faiths.
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General HIU News
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