Core Curriculum and Degrees
Core Curriculum
Institute students are automatically fully enrolled both in the Institute and in either the School of Music or Divinity School. Students who fulfill all curricular requirements receive their degree from that School, and they receive the ISM Certificate.
All ISM students take academic courses with ISM faculty. Students follow the course requirements of the degree program in which they are enrolled in the relevant professional school. The Institute curriculum is designed to complement those specific requirements and electives.
Institute students must enroll in the ISM Colloquium.
By the beginning of their final term, students must have completed all ISM curricular requirements, or be enrolled in the remaining required courses. Failure to do so will result in the termination of all ISM financial aid.
Yale School of Music
Master of Music
A two-year postbaccalaureate degree in musical performance, this program includes intensive study of a primary discipline (e.g., keyboard, conducting, composition), augmented with theoretical and historical studies.
Master of Musical Arts
A three-year degree in musical performance, which is considered predoctoral residence, this program is designed to provide intensive training in performance or composition. Two years of residence in the M.M. program count toward this degree. However, students who have earned the M.M. degree at another university are expected to spend two years in residence at Yale for the M.M.A. degree.
Doctor of Musical Arts
This degree is awarded to those who have earned the Master of Musical Arts degree and have demonstrated exceptional competence as performers, as well as deep intellectual curiosity about all areas of music, its history, theory, styles, and sources. Following receipt of the Master of Musical Arts degree, candidates must demonstrate distinguished professional musical achievement and return to Yale after at least two years for a comprehensive oral examination and a final public performance.
Artist Diploma
This diploma is offered to applicants who hold a master’s degree or the professional equivalent. Although a fundamental knowledge of musicianship and the history of western music is presumed, candidates will be tested in these areas when they enter the program. Minimum performance requirements for each year of residence are one solo recital, one major ensemble performance, and one performance of a work for soloist and orchestra. Students who have completed the Master of Music degree at Yale may complete the work in one academic year; those who have earned the M.M. or its equivalent elsewhere will be in residence for two years.
Yale Divinity School
Master of Arts in Religion
This two-year program offers the opportunity to prepare for new and special forms of ministry that do not require ordination. Students may elect to complete either a comprehensive program that introduces the basic theological disciplines, or a concentrated program of study in preparation for one of the many forms of lay ministry or service.
The Comprehensive Master of Arts in Religion (M.A.R.)
The Comprehensive M.A.R. Program emphasizes general studies in the basic theological disciplines without stressing ordination as a goal. Institute students in this program use their electives for further graduate-level study in music and the arts. Some matriculate in doctoral programs in religious studies or musicology. By the time of graduation, all ISM/YDS students in the Master of Arts in Religion comprehensive program will have taken four 3-credit courses from 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.
The Concentrated Master of Arts in Religion (M.A.R.)
The Concentrated M.A.R. Program in Religion and the Arts (either the visual arts, literature, or music) or in Liturgical Studies integrates basic course work at the Divinity School with studies on the graduate level within the professional schools and the Graduate School department appropriate to the concentration. Undergraduate preparation in the concentration sufficient for work on the graduate level is required.
Master of Arts in Religion, Concentration in Religion and the Arts Students in the Religion and the Arts concentration elect one of three tracks: Literature, Visual Arts, or Music. The emphasis in each track is upon history, criticism, and analysis of past and present practice. Each requires twenty-one credits in the area of concentration: in Visual Arts or Music, twelve of these credits must be taken with ISM faculty; in literature, six must be take with ISM faculty. In addition, at least fifteen credits shall be devoted to general theological studies: six credits in Area I, six credits in Area II, and three credits in Area III. Twelve credits of electives may be taken from anywhere in the University, though the number of electives allowed in studio art, creative writing, or musical performance is at the discretion of the adviser and permission of the instructor. In total, one-half of the student’s course load must be Divinity School credits. An undergraduate major in the field of concentration or its equivalent is required.
A limited number of studio art classes may be taken for academic credit by students in the Religion and Visual Arts track, and they must demonstrate the relevance of this study to theology. Admission to studio art courses depends entirely on the permission of the studio teacher and is customarily granted only to those with strong portfolios.
Students preparing for doctoral work will be encouraged to develop strong writing samples and foreign language skills. ISM students may apply to the Institute for study in Yale’s summer language program.
Master of Arts in Religion, Concentration in Liturgical Studies The concentration in Liturgical Studies requires eighteen credit hours of study in the major area, including the introductory core course of the program, Foundations of Christian Worship, REL 782. Students must take nine credit hours of limited electives in liturgical studies, three with an historical focus, three with a theological focus, and three 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.
The remaining thirty credits required for the M.A.R. with a concentration in liturgical studies will be taken in the various areas of study of the Divinity School and Institute curricula, according to a student’s academic interests and professional goals and in consultation with faculty in the area of concentration.
Master of Arts in Religion (other concentrations) By the time of graduation, all ISM/YDS students in all concentrations other than those listed above will have taken at least two 3-credit courses from ISM faculty. (Participation in a vocal ensemble does not count toward this requirement.)
Extended Degree Program An extended degree program is offered for selected students in the concentrated M.A.R. programs. This allows students to take up to six additional three-hour courses during a third academic year in the program.
No more than fifteen students will be admitted to this program each year. An application for admission to the extended degree program must include both a statement explaining why the student wishes to extend a concentrated M.A.R. program and a letter of recommendation from at least one faculty member in the field in which the degree program is concentrated. Applicants will be selected by a committee appointed by the dean; the committee shall consist of one faculty member from each teaching group related to a concentrated M.A.R. program.
Applications for admission to the extended concentrated M.A.R. program are due by October 1 of the third term of a student’s concentrated M.A.R. program. Admission decisions will be announced by November 15 of that term.
Master of Divinity
By the time of graduation, all ISM/YDS students in the Master of Divinity program will have taken one 3-credit course from ISM faculty in each of the following areas:
- • Sacred Music
- • Worship
- • Religion and the Arts (Visual Arts or Literature)
- • One other ISM course. This course requirement may be fulfilled by participation for one year in any of the following vocal ensembles: Marquand Choir, Marquand Gospel Choir, Recital Chorus, Repertory Chorus, Yale Schola Cantorum, Yale Camerata.
Master of Sacred Theology
This program is available to graduates of theological schools who have completed the Master of Divinity degree or equivalent. It is designed to provide advanced training for a specialized form of service. The area of specialization should be proposed at the time of application. ISM provides a maximum of one year or equivalent of financial support to students in this degree.
Transfer Students
All YDS students who transfer to the ISM shall attend the ISM Colloquium for the remaining time in their program. The requirements for the number of ISM courses and the Colloquium presentation may be adjusted. The students are otherwise required to fulfill all curricular requirements expected of ISM students.
M.A.R. students in the ISM who wish to transfer to the M.Div. program must apply to the ISM faculty for admission and a third year of ISM funding. Applications are due by October 1 of the third term of a student’s concentrated M.A.R. program. Admission and funding decisions will be announced by November 15 of that term.
Joint Degrees and the Double Major
Institute music students may, in the first year of study, decide to audition for rigorous programs that are designed for church musicians. Those pursuing a joint degree will complete requirements for the Master of Arts in Religion (either concentrated or comprehensive) and the Master of Music; the double major is for a music student wishing to major concurrently in organ and choral conducting. For further discussion, please see Programs of Study.
