The Hispanic Scholars Program (HSP) is an ecumenical program in theology and religion that offers master’s-level students a variety of opportunities for study with Latine/Hispanic scholars, centering Latine/Hispanic methods, pedagogies, and stories. Administering the HSP is a consortium of sponsoring institutions, including YDS. 

The HSP seeks “to heal divisions within the Latine/Hispanic community fueled by denominational and theological differences. We further seek to restore connections and build bridges between Latine/Hispanic and non-Latine/Hispanic communities by enhancing the awareness and appreciation non-Latine/Hispanic students, faculty, administrators, and clergy have of Latine/Hispanic contributions to education, religious institutions, and society.” The HSP flagship program is its two-week summer intensive session, offered each year at an ATS-accredited site in the continental United States or Puerto Rico. In addition, HSP offers a two-week J-Term course in January, a fully accredited online course in Latine/Hispanic theology, history, sociology, and/or ministry. The summer intensive session, which features a variety of course offerings, is open to graduate students interested in Latine/Hispanic-centered ministries, scholarship, and advocacy. Students are exposed not only to a majority Latine/Hispanic student body but also to Latine/Hispanic faculty and an intellectual tradition that stems from the Latine/Hispanic community. Additionally, students are connected to mentors who can help encourage students’ pursuits after graduation. Courses represent a range of subjects within the theological curriculum and are taught in a way that centers the intellectual and pedagogical traditions of the Latine/Hispanic community.

Registration for the summer intensive session begins in late November and, for J-Term, in mid-September through the HSP website at http://hispanicsummerprogram.org. The HSP also co-sponsors the Doctoral Accompaniment Seminar, designed for final-year master’s-level students enrolled at sponsoring institutions who intend to apply for doctoral study in religion. The seminar examines Latine/Hispanic theological scholarship and offers mentorship throughout the doctoral application process. Successful completion of any of these programs carries three graduate-level credits. Transcripts are issued by the host institution. For more information, visit the website or speak with the YDS registrar.