J-Term

J-Term takes place in January as an online two-week intensive course for graduate students that is taught by a different professor on a different topic every year.

“The J-Term remains one of the most important courses I’ve taken because of how much it helped me learn about myself and my passions. I participated in the J-Term during a time in my undergraduate career where I wasn’t sure if graduate education was for me. I discovered an amazing community of folks that helped me feel more confident and empowered in my field of study.” – Georgeara Castañeda-Garza


Program Highlights

  • Experience a learning environment centering Latine/Hispanic ways of knowing
  • Earn three graduate credits toward your degree
  • Learn from a Latine/Hispanic faculty member

Program Description

Deepen your knowledge of Latine/Hispanic Studies and Theology. This program is a two-week intensive course for graduate students that takes place in January and is taught by a different professor on a different topic every year.

Program Dates and Location

  • Dates: January 2027
  • Location: This program is held online

Program Fee

  • $375 for Master students from HSP Sponsoring Schools
  • $475 for Doctoral students and Master students from non-HSP Sponsoring Schools
  • The program fee includes the cost of the three graduate credits toward your degree

Program Eligibility

  • This program is open to graduate students at an accredited institution
  • Priority is given to students from HSP Sponsoring Schools

Program Application

  • The application opens in fall 2026
  • The application requires one recommendation from a faculty member at your institution
    • The recommendation is due 1-week after the application closes
    • The applicant will automatically receive an email notification when a recommendation has been submitted
  • The notification of admission is typically made within two weeks of the application closing

Once an applicant has been accepted into the program they will receive an email with a matriculation form to accept their program admission. This matriculation form includes the process for paying the Program Fee and is due 2 weeks after the notification of admission.

The HSP accepts the following payment methods for the Program Fee after an individual has been accepted into the program:

  • Check: Please make checks payable to the Hispanic Scholars Program and mail to: Hispanic Scholars Program (42 Tiemann Place, Ste 310 New York, NY 10027)
  • PayPal: Payments may be submitted via PayPal using an existing account or by creating one and linking your credit card
  • Zelle: Zelle payments may be made to admin@hispanicscholarsprogram.org 

Please contact the HSP administrator, Elizabeth Niang (eniang@hispanicscholarsprogram.org), if you have any questions regarding payment options.

Since its first Summer Session in 1989, the Hispanic Scholars Program (HSP) has sought to be a place of welcome in which theological education is made available to all students. In keeping with this commitment, the HSP does not discriminate in its admissions or program practices on the basis of race, ethnicity, national origin, gender, disability, or any other status protected by law. Applicants are evaluated using program-related criteria such as academic preparation, vocational interest, character, and commitment to theological study. The HSP has always served students, faculty, staff, administrators, and leaders from a wide range of backgrounds. Guided by the values of en conjunto (working together as a community), lo cotidiano (attending to the realities of daily life), and acompañamiento (walking alongside one another), we affirm that all people are created in the image of God and journey together in learning and faith.

We guarantee that our courses are taught with excellence, our faculty hold terminal degrees and are in good standing in their field, and that all of our classes meet ATS accreditation standards. Please note that HSP courses are not intended to fulfill any one school’s academic requirement, as we offer a wide variety of courses during the J-Term, Summer Session, HSP for Undergrads, Doctoral Accompaniment Seminar, and Praxis of Accompaniment. If a school chooses to use one of our courses to fulfill their requirements, then that is within the school’s purview, but we see our courses as electives that add to and expand a student’s curriculum.

In accordance with ATS accreditation standards, students must attend all class sessions in order to receive credit for the J-Term.