In addition to keeping academic records, the registrar is responsible for the publication of course listings and the HDS Handbook for Students, exam and classroom scheduling, tuition and fee assessment, loan deferment requests, academic transcripts and diplomas, degree verification, and the petition process to the Committee on Academic Programs.
Academic Calendar
The Fall term begins in late August/early September, with exams completed in early- to mid-December.
The Spring term begins in late January, culminating with Commencement in late May.
Here is the current academic calendar.
Courses at Harvard Divinity School are typically offered as four-unit courses. They meet at least once every week for one full semester. Four-unit courses may also be scheduled over two semesters, with courses meeting at least once every other week over two full semesters. Eight unit courses meet at least once every week for the entire year. Find courses here.
Academic Policies
The HDS Handbook for Students, produced annually by the HDS Registrar’s Office, contains the most up-to-date policies regarding courses, grading, and more.
Class Registration (“Shopping Period”)
HDS has a course shopping period at the beginning of each term. To better facilitate the registration process, course descriptions should be submitted to the Registrar’s Office by mid-June. The first week of each semester, students are invited to attend any and all courses in which they are interested. If you plan to limit class enrollment, or request permission to enroll even if you do not limit the number of students in your course, you must include in your course description the method for deciding how you will select or eliminate students.
Class Schedules
Course room assignments are available from the Registrar’s Office prior to the start of the term. Each instructor is contacted by the Registrar’s Office with the room assignment(s) for their course(s).
Additional Classroom Reservations
The Registrar’s Office is responsible for classroom scheduling and must be notified when faculty decide to add additional class meetings. For questions or concerns regarding course scheduling and room reservations, please contact the HDS Registrar’s Office at 617.495.5760 or registrar@hds.harvard.edu.
Course Descriptions
Course descriptions should be submitted for inclusion in the HDS catalog by mid-June. Questions or revisions to submitted catalog information may be directed to the HDS Registrar’s Office at 617.495.5760 or registrar@hds.harvard.edu.