Program Requirements
PROGRAM INFORMATION
The M.A. degree in Religious Studies provides opportunities for students with backgrounds in the scholarly study of religion to expand their knowledge of the social, cultural, and historical contexts of religion, to develop a greater in-depth knowledge of particular religious traditions, and to acquire proficiency with a wide variety of pertinent methodologies and theoretical perspectives. This degree serves the needs of students interested in teaching or counseling. It will be of special value to those interested in pursuing a doctorate in religious studies.
Accreditation: Accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of College and Schools.
Major Research Areas: Hebrew Bible, New Testament, Formative Christianity, Formative Judaism, Christian Apocrypha, Gnosticism, Biblical languages, History of Judaism, Jewish Studies, the History of Christianity, Material Culture and Religion, Biblical Archaeology, Greco‐Roman Religions, Buddhism, Southeast Asian Religions, Classical Islam, Islam in America, Afro‐American Islam, Women in Islam, Hinduism, Chinese Religion, Post Modern Philosophy in the study of Religion, Comparative Literature and Cultural Studies in Religion, Religious Ethics, Religion, Ethics, and Society, Comparative Religion, Goddess Religion, Religion and Medicine, Religion in America, New Religions, Religion and Culture, Religion
and Public Policy, Afro‐American Religious History; Women and Religion; Religious Mysticism; Contemporary Religious Thought; African Religion; Liberation Theology and Religion, Religious Utopianism, post‐Holocaust Jewish and Christian Thought, Religion and Modernization, Religion and Law, Biomedical Ethics, Religion and Genetic Engineering.
ADMISSION INFORMATION
Must meet University requirements (see Graduate Admissions) as well as requirements listed below.
Program Admission Requirements
Same as university plus:
• Three (3) letters of recommendation, and
• A writing sample
• A personal statement (1‐3 pages, double‐space)
• GRE required, but no minimum specified
DEGREE PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
Students select a major professor and develop a plan for completing a minimum of 36 credit hours. The thesis track requires six (6) of these credits be devoted to a thesis project. The non‐thesis track requires that all 36 credits come from graduate seminars. The plan of study is subject to approval of the Graduate Committee. A majority of these courses will be in religious studies, although the plan may include approved courses in other departments. No more than 6 credit hours of 4000‐level courses may be counted for graduate credit. There is no uniform language requirement; however, language skills may be required for particular areas of study. All students are required to demonstrate expertise in at least two religious traditions, as well as satisfactorily complete a written, comprehensive examination wherein they demonstrate competence in:
1) pertinent theoretical issues and research methodologies;
2) the analysis and interpretation of related texts, artifacts, and activities; and
3) social and historical contexts of the religions studied.
The Department of Religious Studies “Graduate Student Handbook” should be consulted for additional information about basic requirements and specific procedures.
COURSES
See http://www.ugs.usf.edu/sab/sabs.cfm