Program Overview

Overview of the Master of Arts in Religious Studies Program

The Master of Arts in Religious Studies program at the University of Colorado Boulder is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the complex phenomenon of religion. The program offers a range of courses that explore the historical and global diversity of religious ideas, practices, and dimensions of cultures.

Requirements

The program requires students to complete 30 credit hours of academic work, with at least 27 credits completed at the 5000 level or above. Students may take up to 6 credit hours of coursework outside the department or transfer credits from another accredited institution, with the approval of their advisor.

Course Requirements

• Required Courses:
  • RLST 6830: Introduction to the Academic Study of Religion (3 credits)
  • RLST 6945: Portfolio: Non-Thesis Option (3-6 credits) or RLST 6950: Portfolio: Thesis Option
  • Electives (24-21 credits)
• Total Credit Hours: 30

Residency Requirement

Students must fulfill the residency requirement, which can be completed by either two full-time semesters or four part-time semesters of study.

Degree Plans

The program offers two degree plans:

Plan I: Portfolio with Research Paper

• Students take a 3-credit portfolio preparation course on secondary scholarship in a specific field.
• The portfolio defense involves a three-member committee and is overseen by the advisor.

Plan II: Portfolio with Thesis

• Students take 6 credits of thesis coursework over two semesters (RLST 6950).
• The first semester of RLST 6950 results in a thesis prospectus with the thesis committee.
• The second semester of RLST 6950 results in the full portfolio defense, which includes defending the thesis.

Plans of Study

The program offers two plans of study:

Plan I: Portfolio

• Year One:
  • Fall Semester: One seminar (3 credits), RLST 6830 (3 credits)
  • Spring Semester: Three seminars (9 credits)
• Year Two:
  • Fall Semester: Three seminars (9 credits)
  • Spring Semester: One seminar (3 credits), RLST 6945 (3 credits)
• Total Credit Hours: 30

Plan II: Portfolio with Thesis

• Year One:
  • Fall Semester: One seminar (3 credits), RLST 6830 (3 credits)
  • Spring Semester: Three seminars (9 credits)
• Year Two:
  • Fall Semester: Two seminars (6 credits), RLST 6950 (3 credits)
  • Spring Semester: One seminar (3 credits), RLST 6950 (3 credits)
• Total Credit Hours: 30

Learning Outcomes

By the completion of the program, students will be able to:

• Demonstrate mastery of knowledge about the historical and global diversity of religious ideas, practices, and dimensions of cultures.
• Design and conduct high-quality original research in a religious tradition and/or topic of developing expertise in the academic study of religion.
• Effectively communicate and present research to academic and public audiences in both written and oral form.

Dual Degree Programs

The Department of Religious Studies also participates in dual master's degree programs with the Departments of History and Asian Languages and Civilizations. Students interested in exploring this option should contact the graduate director of the department for specific requirements.