Program Overview

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Program Overview

The Master of Arts program in Religious Studies offers students a comprehensive understanding of various religious traditions in their historical and cultural contexts. The program provides a broadly comparative understanding of religions, not simply a specialist's training in a single tradition.

Program Description

The program allows students to develop greater expertise regarding the nature and role of religion around the world. Candidates are offered an opportunity to develop knowledge of various religious traditions and to learn research methods. Although students often concentrate upon a single religious tradition for their thesis work, the program provides a broadly comparative understanding of religions.

At a Glance

• College/school: The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
• Location: Tempe
• STEM-OPT extension eligible: No

Degree Requirements

The program requires 30 credit hours, including the required applied project course (REL 593) and a foreign language exam, or 30 credit hours, a thesis, and a foreign language exam.

• Required Core (6 credit hours)
  • REL 501 The Study of Religion I: Genealogies, Disciplines and Power (3)
  • REL 502 The Study of Religion II: Epistemology, Practice and Mediation (3)
• Electives or Research (18 or 21 credit hours)
• Culminating Experience (3 or 6 credit hours)
  • REL 593 Applied Project (3) or
  • REL 599 Thesis (6)

Additional Curriculum Information

There are two options for the culminating experience: a thesis or an applied project. An oral defense of the final written work is required for both options.

• The thesis option is recommended for students intending to seek admission to a doctoral program upon completion of the master's degree or for students who plan to teach in the discipline at community colleges.
• The applied project option is recommended for students intending to augment their primary area of expertise and professional training in fields such as counseling, journalism, K-12 education, law, social work, and the ministry.

Admission Requirements

• General university admission requirements: All students are required to meet general university admission requirements.
• Applicants must have earned a bachelor's or master's degree in any field from a regionally accredited institution.
• Transcripts must show evidence of having completed the equivalent of 15 credit hours of undergraduate work in the study of religions, including advanced courses in both Western and Asian or other non-Western religions.
• Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.30 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program or applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program.
• All applicants must submit:
  • graduate admission application and application fee
  • official transcripts
  • statement of purpose
  • curriculum vitae
  • writing sample
  • contact information for three references
  • proof of English proficiency

Tuition Information

When it comes to paying for higher education, everyone’s situation is different. Students can learn about ASU tuition and financial aid options to find out which will work best for them.

Application Deadlines

• Fall: 01/15 (Final)

Program Learning Outcomes

Program learning outcomes identify what a student will learn or be able to do upon completion of their program. This program’s learning outcomes include the following:

• Students will be able to critique and evaluate classical and contemporary theoretical approaches through the examination and evaluation of supporting literature and data in the academic study of religion.
• Students will be able to develop important research questions through critical analysis of primary and secondary sources.
• Students will engage in original research leading to understanding and explaining developments in religion and their broader impact and to present their findings in a clearly written prospectus proposal and defense.

Career Opportunities

The MA program in religious studies provides graduates with training and knowledge relevant to careers in government, nongovernmental organizations, nonprofit organizations, global relationships, intercultural understanding, foreign service, researchers, professional writing, journalism, and publishing.

• Career examples include:
  • book editor
  • community college instructor
  • foreign service employee
  • global affairs writer
  • nongovernmental organization professional
  • nonprofit management

Program Structure

The program is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of religious studies, including the nature and role of religion around the world. The program offers two options for the culminating experience: a thesis or an applied project. The thesis option is recommended for students intending to seek admission to a doctoral program upon completion of the master's degree or for students who plan to teach in the discipline at community colleges. The applied project option is recommended for students intending to augment their primary area of expertise and professional training in fields such as counseling, journalism, K-12 education, law, social work, and the ministry.