Program Description
This course is designed to provide students with the knowledge, editorial support, and networking opportunities they need to apply for leading PhD programs in theology and religion, emphasizing the perspectives of BIPOC scholars, generally, and Latine scholars specifically. Participants will receive comprehensive support in crafting key application elements, including personal statements, CVs, and research proposals. By course completion, students will be prepared and confident to apply to a minimum of three PhD programs at ATS-accredited institutions.
As a partnership between the Hispanic Youth Leadership Academy, Hispanic Scholars Program, and Hispanic Theological Initiative, this program is a graduate-level course in which participating students will receive three credits toward their degree granted by Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary. Space is limited to 10 students.
Program Dates and Location
- Dates: August 28, 2026 – December 4, 2026 on Fridays 1 – 3 PM EST
- Dates: Students are expected to attend the in-person American Academy of Religion and Society of Biblical Literature annual conference November 21 – 24, 2026
- Location: Online with the exception of the in-person American Academy of Religion and Society of Biblical Literature annual conference
Program Fee
- $375 is the program fee
- The program fee includes the cost of the three graduate credits and the partial cost of attending the American Academy of Religion and Society of Biblical Literature annual conference
Program Eligibility
- Be a student committed to Latine/Hispanic community, culture and history
- Be in the final year of a Masters level program at an HSP sponsoring school and/or a Hispanic Theological Initiative member school
Program Application
- The application is open February 15, 2026 – April 30, 2026
- The application requires one recommendation from a faculty member at your institution
- The recommendation is due 1-week after the application closes: May 7, 2026
- 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. Please note further that although credit transfer is guaranteed for students from HSP Sponsoring Schools, credit transfer for students from HTI Member Schools that are not HSP Sponsors would be subject to negotiation with the student’s home institution.
In accordance with ATS accreditation standards, students must attend all class sessions in order to receive credit for the Doctoral Accompaniment Seminar.
