The M.Div. program requires six credits of internship fulfilled part time over the academic year, or full time over a summer. Individual denominational requirements vary. Internships are open to students in the M.A.R. program.
- Internships are academic courses that receive 6 semester credits - 3 per semester during the academic year, or 6 during the summer.
- Internships can take place anytime after the first academic year of study, including the summer following the first year.
- Credit for one unit of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) can transfer as 6 elective credit hours and will fulfill the MDiv degree internship requirement.
- Internship credits are electives and do not fulfill any area requirements. A maximum of 15 credits in internships can be applied as electives towards a degree.
- YDS provides a $5000 stipend to students engaged in an internship. $5000 is provided for CPE students via work study funds (work-study funds are taxed). Students are eligible for funding for two internships AND one unit of CPE. Funds are generally distributed during the internship on a weekly basis.
- Negotiating Boundaries REL 3990, is required prior to any internship excluding CPE. It is offered twice in the fall and once during Spring semester. First year MDiv students must take this class during their first semester of study.
There are three essential components to internships at Yale Divinity School:
- Quality work: 400 hours of site associated practice (300 for Advanced Internships), including 30 hours of practicum
- Peer support: Practicum is taken alongside internships and constitutes a peer reflection group taught by a practitioner (see course list below)
- Mentorship: A supervisor qualified to oversee and mentor the site practice
For a side by side comparison of the different internship options, please see below.
Course list:
- REL3986/7 Academic year internship with practicum
- REL3988 Summer internship with practicum
- REL3996/7 Advanced academic internship with practicum
- REL3998 Advanced summer internship with practicum
First Internships vs Advanced Internships:
YDS is now able to fully fund a second internship (the Advanced Internship). Students must have completed a first internship (REL3986/7 or REL3988) before being eligible to enroll in the Advanced Internship (REL3996/7 or REL3998).
Comparisons: Advanced internships are only 3 credits, whereas a first (regular) internship is worth 6 credits. First internships are 400 hours of work, and Advanced Internships are 300 required hours. However, both internships have a required practicum class and receive the same stipend of $5000.
Timing: Internships may be taken after the first academic year of study - either in the summer following or the next academic year.
For more information, contact:
Non-Profit, Justice Internships: Alison Cunningham, Director of Professional Formation
Ministerial Internships: Jenny Davis, Director of Supervised Ministries
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 Side by side comparison of different internship options | 92.08 KB |