MA Religious Studies

The Department for the Study of Religion at UCR admits only a small number of graduate students each year in order to offer a focused graduate program that is designed to train advanced students in the critical study of religious traditions through close study with our faculty. The program engages religion as a political and social force on the international stage, critically appraising the impact of religions in contemporary global cultures, contacts, and conflicts.

The terminal M.A. allows students to explore the academic study of religions more broadly and is geared toward students who wish to expand their study of religions in an academic environment but may not, or not yet, wish to pursue a career in academia. Students completing a terminal M.A. may choose the M.A.-I, which requires an article-length Master’s thesis suitable for publication and prepares students especially to continue on to a Ph.D. program, or the M.A.- II, which offers a flexible capstone experience suitable for those seeking training in the field for work in other areas such as museums, K-12 education, nonprofits, journalism, or public policy. NOTE: Per University of California regulations, students who already hold a master’s degree in the study of religion may not enroll in this program. This rule does not pertain to those holding advanced applied degrees in religion, such as degrees in theology (e.g., MTS) or ministry (e.g., M.Div., D.Min.).