Religious Studies
Graduate Chair: Randal Rogers, PhD
Department Description
The Religious Studies program offers students the opportunity to examine critically the realm of religion in its varied manifestations. It includes several religious traditions, thematic, and methodological studies. Religious Studies offers an M.A. program consisting of a minimum of 15 credit hours of courses at the 800 level and 15 credit hours of thesis research. Students are encouraged to focus their thesis work on comparative topics in religion.
Courses
Degree Requirements
| Course | Credit Hours |
| RLST 810 | 3 credit hours |
| Two of RLST 800, 801 or 802 | 6 credit hours |
| RLST 8xx or Cognate* | 6 credit hours |
| Thesis research | 15 credit hours |
| Total | 30 credit hours |
* The remaining classes will be comprised of RLST 820, 840, Directed Readings in Religious Studies or approved cognate classes, the classes to be selected under the guidance of the student's supervisor. Students may be required to take an external course in an area of need.
Students will be assigned to a specific faculty member who will act as their supervisor. Candidates may also utilize the expertise of non-religious studies faculty in the composition of their supervising committees and, with special permission, for the position of supervisor. Students will be required to submit their individual programs to the Religious Studies Instructors Committee for approval.
Under the advisement of the thesis committee, candidates will normally fulfill a foreign language requirement. Particularly candidates who might be considering Doctoral studies will be strongly encouraged to develop proficiency in an appropriate foreign language. This requirement must be successfully completed before the thesis is presented.