Transferring Degree Programs

A student may petition to transfer from the MTS program into the MDiv program, or vice versa, after the successful completion of their first semester at HDS, but not later than the beginning of their third semester. Exceptions to this timeline will be considered only under extraordinary circumstances.

Students intending to transfer from the MTS program to the MDiv program must enroll in Introduction to Ministry Studies by their third semester in order to be considered eligible. 

Petitions include the following:

• a narrative statement addressing the reasons for requesting a change, including a clear statement of specific professional and academic goals to be met by such a change;
• a completed plan of study outlining past, present, and future courses taken to meet degree program requirements within the time-frame for completion.

The petition process follows these steps:

• meet with the HDS Registrar’s Office to obtain the petition form, consult on degree requirements, and begin to draft a plan of study;
• meet with an HDS Financial Aid officer to consult on the financial aspects of program transfers and obtain their signature and comments on the petition form;
• meet with the program committee chair of the degree program into which the transfer is requested, and obtain their signature and comments on the petition form;
• meet with the student’s academic advisor to obtain their signature and comments on the petition form.

Completed petitions are then returned to the HDS Registrar’s Office.