Joint Degrees

Yale Divinity School Joint Degrees

Yale School of Nursing and Yale Divinity School offer a joint-degree program in nursing and divinity. This option is especially applicable for individuals who are interested in combining an advanced-nursing practice with social or religious ministry that might involve direct practice, planning, and policy making in a variety of health care systems.

There are two joint-degree options between the Divinity School and the School of Nursing. The first option, a joint degree leading to the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) and the Master of Arts in Religion (MAR), requires three years of study. (This requires four years for students in the Graduate Entry Prespecialty in Nursing.) The second option, a joint degree leading to the MSN and Master of Divinity (MDiv), requires four years of study (or five years for GEPN students) and is designed for students who wish to prepare for the lay or ordained ministries of Christian churches.

The Divinity School and the School of Nursing make admissions decisions independently, and students are required to apply to both schools to be considered. Applicants must indicate on each application form that they are applying to the joint-degree program. This joint-degree program is not open to YSN students enrolled in or applying to the Nurse-Midwifery Specialty prior to applying, in order to discuss the feasibility of the program of study. Download the Joint Degree Agreement for Nursing and Divinity (.pdf)

Yale School of Public Health Joint Degree

Yale School of Nursing and the Yale School of Public Health (YSPH) offer a joint-degree opportunity in nursing and public health. This option is especially oriented to individuals who wish to have direct practice, planning, and policymaking in a variety of public health care systems. The joint-degree option requires three years (four years for students in the Graduate Entry Prespecialty in Nursing) and awards a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) and a Master of Public Health (MPH). Admissions decisions are made independently by YSPH and YSN. Students are required to apply simultaneously to both schools, and applicants must indicate on each application form that they are applying to the joint-degree program. This joint-degree program is not open to YSN students enrolled in or applying to the Nurse-Midwifery Specialty. All students are required to begin their first academic year at YSPH. Download the Joint Degree Agreement for Nursing and Public Health (.pdf)