Yale Divinity School offers a limited number of students the opportunity to enroll as nondegree students (for program details see Nondegree Students, in the chapter Programs of Study). Nondegree students are restricted to enrollment in YDS courses only, are not eligible for financial aid, and may not enroll in field education placements. Applicants should understand that admission as a nondegree student is not an indicator of future admission to degree programs at YDS.

Traditional

The requirements for admission and the application procedure for the Traditional nondegree program are the same as those for degree applicants. Traditional nondegree students receive full credit for work completed and may transfer these credits elsewhere, or petition the associate dean for academic affairs to have some or all of the work applied toward a YDS degree program.

Ministers in the Vicinity

Applications to the Ministers in the Vicinity program are received twice a year, with deadlines of April 1 (for the fall term) and December 1 (for the spring term). There is a one-time application fee of $30. Students in the Ministers in the Vicinity program are admitted to classes based on availability and permission of the instructor. Admission to the program is for one year but, with permission, may be extended for an additional year. Students in the program may petition to have Ministers in the Vicinity course credit applied toward a YDS degree. Upon completion of at least two courses for credit, students receive a YDS Minister in the Vicinity certificate. Unless otherwise stated, regulations governing the Ministers in the Vicinity program and the Traditional nondegree program are identical.

Ph.D. Research Scholars Program

The Ph.D. Research Scholars Program enables a graduate student who is enrolled in a doctoral program at another university to conduct research for a limited period at Yale Divinity School. A separate application is available for students enrolled in doctoral programs at other institutions who wish to conduct research and/or work at YDS with a professor in a specific academic area, for either one term or one academic year. The fee is $1,500 per term. For further information or to apply, please contact the Admissions Office.

Exchange

International students enrolled at educational institutions partnering in the YDS exchange program who wish to spend one term or a year studying at YDS should contact the appropriate administrators at their respective schools. International students who are enrolled at those educational institutions with which YDS has exchange relations (Westcott House, Cambridge; Heidelberg, Tübingen, and Freiburg Universities in Baden-Württemberg, Germany; University of Oslo, Norway; Hebrew University, Jerusalem (suspended for 2024-2025); Trinity Theological College, Singapore; Divinity School of Chung Chi College at Chinese University of Hong Kong) and who wish to spend one term or a year studying at YDS should first contact the appropriate administrators at their respective schools. Contacts at YDS are Antonio Bravo, assistant director of International Student Exchange Programs (antonio.bravo@yale.edu), and Jan Hagens, director of International Student Exchange Programs (jan.hagens@yale.edu), Yale Divinity School, 409 Prospect Street, New Haven CT 06511-2167.