Andover Newton

Deeply rooted in Christian faith and radically open to what God is doing now, Andover Newton Seminary at Yale Divinity School educates inspiring leaders for faith communities. Andover Newton Seminary at Yale Divinity School (Andover Newton at YDS) traces its origins to the founding of Andover Theological Seminary in 1807. This first graduate school in North America sought to provide a “learned clergy” to the churches of New England. In 1965, it joined Newton Theological Institution (founded 1825) to become Andover Newton Theological School, an independent graduate school known among seminaries as “the school of the church.” It relocated to New Haven, CT in 2017 to form an affiliation with YDS intended to enable both institutions to continue to educate religious leaders as the world’s religious landscape changes. A distinct unit within YDS, Andover Newton forms leaders for faith communities that are locally governed and welcome new ways of thinking about the Gospel. Open to all, the American Baptist Churches USA and the United Church of Christ claim Andover Newton at YDS as a covenant partner. Today, Andover Newton at YDS fosters the formation of a “learned clergy” in new ways. It keeps the “learned” in “clergy” by providing a world-class education to those who have experienced a call from God to serve others. It keeps the “clergy” in “learned” by promoting teaching and research that are attuned to what churches need from their ministers. Andover Newton’s curriculum, which aligns with the YDS Master of Divinity degree program, emphasizes the life and practice of ministry. Graduates receive Andover Newton diplomas in addition to their Yale degrees. Andover Newton at YDS supports the intellectual and spiritual growth of ministry students, advocates for faith community leadership education within the theological academy, and – as has been true from the beginning – furnishes communities seeking to walk God’s way with thoughtful and inspiring leaders.