Academic Life

Academic Calendars

The ISM follows the academic calendars of its partner professional schools and the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, which encompasses Yale College and the Graduate School. Please consult the calendar for the relevant entity via the Yale University calendar.

Also see the consolidated calendar page in the ISM bulletin.

ISM Requirements

Institute students are enrolled both in the Institute and in the School of Music and/or the Divinity School, and must follow the curriculum of their respective schools to receive their degrees. They must also follow the curriculum of the ISM to receive the ISM Certificate and maintain their financial aid. Requirements specific to the ISM are summarized below.

Institute students must pass all terms of the ISM Colloquium. Students are required to give a joint colloquium presentation in their final year in the ISM. Students whose presentations do not pass do not receive credit for the term of colloquium in which they presented; therefore they do not receive the ISM Certificate.

ISM-Divinity School Student Requirements

See the Divinity School bulletin for complete YDS degree requirements.

Master of Arts in Religion (M.A.R.)

Comprehensive

Four 3-credit courses with ISM faculty. One course may be substituted with participation for one year in one of the following vocal ensembles: Marquand Choir, Marquand Gospel Choir, Recital Chorus, Repertory Chorus, Yale Schola Cantorum, Yale Camerata. Students may also elect any arts-related academic course throughout the university with permission of their advisor.

Literature

6 credits with ISM faculty

Visual Arts or Music

12 credits with ISM faculty

Liturgical Studies

Eighteen credit hours of study in the major area, including the introductory core course of the program, Foundations of Christian Worship.

Students must take nine credit hours of electives in liturgical studies
- three credits with an historical focus,
- three credits with a theological focus, and
- three credits with a strong methodological or practical component.
The remaining six credits may be taken as electives, but students are strongly encouraged to seek out a course in their own denominational worship tradition.

other concentrations (e.g., history of christianity)

At least two 3-credit courses with ISM faculty. (Participation in a vocal ensemble does not count toward this requirement.)

Master of Divinity (M.Div.)

One 3-credit course from ISM faculty in each of the following areas:
- Sacred Music (or any 3-credit academic course in the School of Music or Dept. of Music, with advisor’s permission)
- Worship, and
- Religion and the Arts: Visual Arts or Literature (or any 3-credit academic course in any arts school or arts-related department, with advisor’s permission)
Plus, a total of nine credits in other arts-related courses. This requirement may be fulfilled by applied music lessons for credit; by participation in any of the listed vocal ensembles; or by upper-level homiletics courses. (Those pursuing the Berkeley certificate are only required to take 3 credits in other ISM courses.)

Master of Sacred Theology (S.T.M.)

Twenty-four credit hours of study, eighteen of which must be in the major area. Six credits may be satisfied by reading courses and/or thesis work.

For the S.T.M. in Liturgical Studies, the following courses are required if not taken previously:
- The introductory core course, Foundations of Christian Worship, REL 682; and
- Nine credits of limited electives in liturgical studies,
  - three credits with a historical focus,
  - three credits with a theological orientation, and
  - three with a strong methodological or practical component.
A thesis, major paper in a regular course, or other acceptable project demonstrating independent research in the selected field of study. ISM students present their work in Colloquium.

ISM-School of Music Students

See the School of Music bulletin for complete YSM degree requirements.

Note: With the approval of the student’s adviser and ISM director, required School of Music Hearing and History courses may take the place of one or more of these electives. Students may petition the ISM director for exceptions to these expectations. Also be aware that completion of four semesters of the ISM Colloquium counts as one non-performance (NP) course for the M.M. degree.

Master of Music (M.M.) & Master of Musical Arts (M.M.A.)

Choral Conducting

Two courses in the ISM, Yale Divinity School, or Department of Religious Studies

Organ

Three courses in the ISM, Yale Divinity School, or Department of Religious Studies

Voice