Averroes MD

Thanks for your response. Actually, I was born into a Muslim family. I've received traditional schooling in Islamic studies on and off for a long time already. Enrolling full-time in an Islamic seminary is not an option for me, as I do not agree with the (lack of) intellectual environment present at virtually all of the institutions. The ideological constraints are too tight for me. The time I spent there was theologically suffocating for me. I'm not seeking an official certificate or anything like that for ordination. I have some ideas about what I want to do, but I'd rather not post them in a public setting here. I think HDS provides exactly the intellectual environment I desire, so I am really hoping I get in. Note: Oh wow, I noticed you are at HDS doing an MDiv. Fantastic! How do you like it?

Thanks for all the replies. Yeah, that's what I was asking for, i.e. any scuttlebutt about them possibly creating such a program. I guess not. Thanks! I'm a Muslim with very liberal religious views. The options are very limited and I'd rather train in Western institutions than the close-minded institutions that exist in the Muslim world. I am pretty sure that Hartford Seminary does offer a DMin to Muslims, so that may be an option. I just really, really fell in love with HDS. I agree with you! I really think liberal religion is buoyed by institutions like HDS. For me personally, a faith-based approach at an academic institution makes all the sense in the world. Actually, I did hear this from a reliable source at Harvard that the ThD will be engulfed by the PhD program. HDS seems like a place that recognized the importance of grooming religious professionals in a liberal arts and academic environment. This has a liberalizing effect on religion. The other alternative for religious professionals is to train in their small enclaves of people who all believe the same thing. But, isn't the point of a divinity school to teach religious professionals? That's the difference between a divinity school and a regular graduate department in religious studies.

Hello everyone, So, I've applied to the MTS at HDS. I'm strongly considering switching to the M'Div if I get in. This is because I think a faith-based approach may make more sense for me, although honestly I am on the fence right now. If I do go that route, then maybe the D.Min would also make sense after the MDiv. I am, however, a non-Christian and most D.Min. programs are for Christians. Does anyone at HDS know if they have ever considered offering the D.min at HDS? I know Duke offers a D.Min, but it seems to be only geared towards Christians. Looks like Hartford Seminary is an option. But, I wonder if HDS ever considered it... (I know the D.Min. is controversial, as a lot of people want to do it just to be called doctor. That's not the case for me, since I am actually already an MD doctor and any fascination with being called "dr" has long since passed.) Thank you!

Thanks for the words of comfort. Much appreciated.

Hey, thanks for your reply. Yeah, nothing THAT crazy. But, now you got me scared about the arrogance part, eek! It's hard to balance "selling yourself" and not coming across arrogant... I guess I'll just have to wait... a month and a half to go........

Thanks for your reply, Diazalon. Does this final year mean one more year of schooling on top or is it included in the 3-year MDiv program? Also, do the exchange students need to pay extra tuition, i.e. for the host institution?

OP - I emailed the HDS admission staff way too much and now regret it. They will think I am a crazy person.

Hey guys, If your faculty supervisor does some editing to your article, should you place the faculty supervisor as a second author? Or is an acknowledgement enough? Additionally, would it be better to list them as a second author, i.e. name recognition, easier to get published in a big journal, etc.? Does being the sole author have any benefit over being a first author only? What if your article is very "ground-breaking," etc. I am asking from the standpoint of getting accepted to a PhD program or obtaining a faculty position after a PhD? Or, would it always look better to have a big name in your field attached to your article? Thanks.

Thank you again everyone for the responses. Thanks for your reply. The HDS website says for the M'Div degree the following: "Residency requirement: students must complete four courses each in two of their first three consecutive terms" That's why I thought there might be some flexibility in this regard, but I guess not. Thanks!

Thanks for all the replies. So, would this just be for taking 1-2 classes a semester, or doing the whole semester at the other institution? I wonder, for example, if I did an MDiv at HDS, with my final year spent at GTU. Would that even conceivably be possible?

Let's say you were in a three year M'Div program. That's six semesters. Could you potentially spend the last one or two semesters at another institution? If so, could you still graduate at the same time, etc.? Anyone heard of anyone doing this? (I'm specifically interested in HDS.)

Thanks for your reply.

I am myself just applying for a Master's degree right now, so take what I say with a grain of salt. I do think that you will need a Master's degree, which you already seem to know. As for your undergrad background, here's what I've learned in life: turn everything into a positive. Sell your undergrad as a plus, i.e. I come from an extremely conservative undergrad, and I've learned that I need to branch out and be challenged with other points of view, etc. etc. I'm not saying for you to over-sell yourself; rather, I am saying you should make sure not to under-sell yourself, because your background can actually be an asset. I myself come from a fundamentalist Muslim background... I have since swung to the opposite side of the spectrum and am now very liberal religiously. But, my fundamentalist background DEFINITELY comes in handy, as it gives me much needed perspective.

OP - I am in the same boat as you. I applied to HDS for the MTS degree and I am on pins and needles... Decaf - Is the HDS MTS admit rate also around 50%?