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The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) program is jointly offered by HDS and the Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. Find detailed information about PhD fields of study and program requirements on the Committee on the Study of Religion website.

With a focus on global religions, religion and culture, and forces that shape religious traditions and thought, the PhD prepares students for advanced research and scholarship in religion and theological studies. 

Resources for the study of religion at Harvard are vast. We offer courses in the whole range of religious traditions from the ancient Zoroastrian tradition to modern Christian liberation movements, Islamic and Jewish philosophies, Buddhist social movements, and Hindu arts and culture. Some of us work primarily as historians, others as scholars of texts, others as anthropologists, although the boundaries of these methodologies are never firm. Some of us are adherents of a religious tradition; others are not at all religious. The Study of Religion is exciting and challenging precisely because of the conversations that take place across the complexities of disciplines, traditions, and intellectual commitments.

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Department of Religious Studies

About the phd program, about the ph.d. program.

Our Ph.D. program is designed to prepare the very best candidates for successful careers in research and teaching at the university level. We have been ranked among the top 5 doctoral programs in Religious Studies in the country, and admissions is highly selective to produce incoming classes of 4 to 8 students. All doctoral students are admitted into one of the Department’s fields of specialization and must fulfill the specific requirements of that field:

Ancient Mediterranean Religions

• Ancient Near East
• Hebrew Bible
• Early Judaism
• Archaeology
• Greco-Roman Religions
• Early Christianity (including New Testament)
• Religions of Late Antiquity

For more on this field of specialization, click here .

Core Faculty:

Bart D. Ehrman ; Joseph Lam ; David Lambert ; Jodi Magness ; Hugo Méndez ; Zlatko Plese

Associated Faculty:

Evyatar Marienberg

Islamic Studies

Additional resources for the comparative study of Islam in the area include the following:

Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies programs at UNC and in the Triangle are coordinated by the  UNC Center for Middle East and Islamic Studies , housed in the  Global Education Center .  The Middle East Center collaborates with the Duke University Middle East Center to form the Consortium for Middle East Studies  at Duke University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, a federally funded Title VI National Resource Center. Another affiliated resource is the  Duke Islamic Studies Center .

University of North Carolina Press  has launched a  book series  on Islamic Civilization and Muslim Networks edited by Bruce Lawrence and Carl Ernst.

For more detailed information on the Islamic studies field, see the remarks of Carl Ernst on “ Graduate Admission Information for Islamic Studies at UNC .”

Youssef Carter ; Carl W. Ernst ; Juliane Hammer ; Waleed Ziad

Jodi Magness

Affiliated Faculty:

Charles Kurzman , Sociology (UNC); Omid Safi , Asian & ME Studies (Duke)

Medieval and Early Modern Studies

Jessica A. Boon ; Evyatar Marienberg

Barbara R. Ambros ; Carl W. Ernst ; Brandon Bayne

Religion and Culture

Andrea Dara Cooper ; Randall G. Styers

Jessica A. Boon ; Lauren G. Leve ; Todd Ramón Ochoa ; Brendan Jamal Thornton

Jason Bivins , Philosophy and Religion (NSCU); Christian Lundberg , Communication Studies (UNC); Barry Saunders , Social Medicine (UNC)

Religion in the Americas

Scholars in other Departments or programs at UNC such as Afro-American Studies, American Studies, Anthropology, English, Folklore, History, Latin American Studies, Political Science, and Sociology, regularly offer courses and participate in graduate examinations in the field.

There is a large and well-developed program in American religious history at nearby Duke University. Students at both institutions routinely enroll in each other’s graduate courses and participate in a series of jointly sponsored colloquia each semester.

The Southern Historical Collection, the North Carolina Historical Collection, and the folklore and ethnomusicology collections at UNC attract researchers from all parts of the nation. Specialized resources such as the Wesleyan collection at Duke, the Primitive Baptist collection at Elon College, the Friends collection at Guilford College, and the Southern Baptist collections at Wake Forest and at Southeastern Baptist Seminary, are easily accessible.

Yaakov S. Ariel ; Brandon Bayne ; Todd Ramón Ochoa ; Brendan Jamal Thornton

Juliane Hammer

Jason Bivins , Philosophy and Religion (NCSU)

Religions of Asia

Barbara Rossetti Ambros ; Lauren G. Leve

Carl W. Ernst

Across these specific fields we have a range of strengths in regions, traditions, methodologies, and themes. Graduate students regularly develop expertise in these areas by taking thematically-focused courses within and beyond the graduate fields in which they were admitted. We encourage applicants to consider how faculty strengths across concentrations provide resources for projects situated in a particular concentration:

In addition to pursuing your interests in your concentration through coursework in our department, other UNC departments, and at Duke, students will also receive a broad grounding in Religious Studies as an interdisciplinary field. All incoming students enroll in RELI 700 (“Theory and Method in the Study of Religion”), and all take “gateway” courses that introduce important themes and methodologies relevant to a particular concentration. For more information about coursework, please see the graduate program’s Policies and Procedures .

For more information about language requirements and doctoral exams, please click on the specific concentration above. For more information about the dissertation process and time to degree, please see the graduate program’s Policies and Procedures .

All students must have earned a bachelor’s degree prior to registration. In addition, note that:

• We admit students for Fall semester only (not for the Spring).
• We can accept only full-time students who will be in residence.
• Students admitted to the program who have not already earned an M.A. in the study of religion must earn an M.A. in the Department before advancing to the Ph.D. phase of the program. (We offer the M.A. only as the beginning of work for the Ph.D.; we do not offer a terminal M.A. degree.)
• Students enrolled in the Department’s M.A. program can petition to enter the Ph.D. program after successful completion of all M.A. requirements, or they may be admitted into the Ph.D. program after successfully petitioning to bypass the M.A. degree. Information about our M.A. requirements, including the process for bypassing the M.A., can be found here .

Because our department is committed to bringing a broad range of perspectives into the study of religion, we particularly encourage applicants from minority perspectives.

Department of Theology

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The University of Notre Dame is one of the most important Catholic and ecumenical centers in North America for advanced study in theology.

As a doctoral student at Notre Dame, you will be mentored by world-class scholars, access vast research and learning opportunities, experience both depth and diversity in your curriculum, and be a member of a community of students from a wide range of churches, as well as from other faith traditions, who are preparing for careers in research, teaching, and church service.

The doctoral program places a high percentage of its graduates in academic positions, the vast majority of which are tenure-track.

Areas of Concentration

The doctoral program offers six areas of concentration and two joint areas of concentration.

• Christianity and Judaism in Antiquity (CJA)
• History of Christianity (HC)
• Liturgical Studies (LS)
• Moral Theology/Christian Ethics (MT)
• Systematic Theology (ST)
• World Religions and World Church (WRWC)

Joint Programs/Area of Concentration

• Peace Studies/Theology
• Theology/History and Philosophy of Science

Distinctive Strengths

The Department of Theology has become the international locus for Latino theological studies and our ambitious program of globalization and diversification is increasing its connections to the Church in Africa—leading to a growing program of exchanges with African clergy and religious.

As part of a world-class research university, Notre Dame scholars and students enjoy the benefits of resources in other academic units across the university.

Please contact [email protected] , to learn more about our Ph.D. program. 

Theological and Religious Studies

About the program.

In light of the need for intercultural and interreligious understanding, and in light of the related challenges to religious studies and theology, the Department of Theology and Religious Studies offers a doctoral program which focuses on the phenomenon of religious pluralism as it impacts theological and religious studies. The Department has faculty resources in both religious studies and theology, and the methods and discourses of each discipline will be represented in the program.

To carry out the study of religious plurality adequately, the department believes that it is necessary for students to recognize the real diversity of religious traditions and to study in their integrity the beliefs and practices of more than one religious tradition. As a result, comparative work is an essential part of the program. Students will complete coursework and comprehensive exams in both a primary and secondary religious tradition. They will be expected to achieve a level of mastery in both traditions sufficient for conducting comparative research and teaching on the university level.

Degrees Offered

Admissions requirements.

For general graduate admissions requirements, visit the Office of Graduate Admission’s Application Information  page. Review the  program’s website  for additional information on program application requirements.

Application Materials required:

• Application Form
• Non-refundable Application Fee
• Academic Statement of Purpose
• Optional: Statement on Diversity, Personal Background & Contributions
• Writing Sample
• Letters of Recommendation (3)
• Transcripts  – Applicants are required to upload to the application system copies of official  transcripts  from all undergraduate and graduate institutions attended. Visit the Office of Graduate Admission’s  Application Information  page for additional details and FAQs.
• GRE Score (optional)
• TOEFL = 80 minimum
• IELTS = 7.0 minimum

Application Deadlines

• Fall:  December 15

Degree Requirements

• Thirty-six credit hours, excluding dissertation
• Two foreign languages
• The program will normally take five years of full-time study — two years of course work, six months to one year to prepare for the comprehensive examinations and two years for the dissertation

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Program Contact: Michael Slater: [email protected]

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Religious Studies

Degree requirements.

Learn more about the program by visiting the Department of Religious Studies

See related Interdisciplinary Clusters and Certificates

Degree Types: PhD

The Doctoral Program in Religious Studies focuses on the history, anthropology, theory, methodological research and applications of the field within each of seven areas of concentration:

• American Religions
• Buddhists Studies
• Classical Judaism
• Latin American Religion
• Modern Islam
• Religion, Law, and Politics

The program is highly flexible and profoundly interdisciplinary. All students take courses both within and outside the department, most choose at least one dissertation adviser from another department, and many students take one qualifying examination in another discipline. This flexibility allows for rigorous projects grounded in Religious Studies but influenced by other disciplines in the humanities and social sciences. The program is intended to give both a scholarly training in the discipline and a careful training in academic teaching, a focus of the program. Northwestern University is one of America’s premier academic programs in Religion. Our nationally recognized faculty takes leadership in national policy debates and international scholarship at the highest level, and trains our students for this leadership role.

Students in this program are also encouraged to participate in TGS's Interdisciplinary Cluster Initiative and in the Searle Center for Advancing Learning and Teaching . The Clusters offer a strong set of colleagues in areas of specific interest and many students get certificates within the cluster. For more information on finding a second intellectual "home" outside the Department, please visit the Interdisciplinary Clusters page . Additional funding is sometimes available through clusters, in addition to our robust support package, the most substantial of any graduate program in the country.  Each student is assigned to a leading expert in their field, and works closely with this faculty member throughout their Ph.D program.

For more information on applying to the Department of Religious Studies, please see the Religious Studies Applications page .

Additional resources:

• Department website
• Program handbook(s)

Program Statistics

Visit PhD Program Statistics for statistics such as program admissions, enrollment, student demographics and more.

Program Contact

Contact Liza Holtzman Graduate Program Assistant 847-491-3611

The following requirements are in addition to, or further elaborate upon, those requirements outlined in  The Graduate School Policy Guide .

The Department of Religion does not admit students to a terminal master of arts program. However, PhD students in good standing are awarded the MA after they have met the following criteria:

• 5 quarters of residency
• successful completion of the two-quarter Religion research paper ( RELIGION 570-1 Research Seminar , RELIGION 570-2 Research Seminar )
• 11 other courses graded ABC/NC

Note: Students whose second department's curriculum makes RELIGION 570-1 Research Seminar , RELIGION 570-2 Research Seminar impossible may petition for an oral examination in lieu of paper but must have a total of 13 ABC/NC courses.

Total Units Required: 16

* including introductory graduate sequence during the first year

Other PhD Degree Requirements

• Language examination: demonstration of proficiency in at least one foreign language; more may be necessary for a particular area
• Examinations:  upon completion of coursework, written and oral comprehensive examinations
• Research/Projects:  as required by dissertation
• PhD Dissertation:  based on original, independent research
• Final Evaluation:  oral defense of dissertation

Last Updated: September 12, 2023

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Doctor of Philosophy in Theological Studies (PhD)

The PhD degree program is offered to students wishing to enhance their knowledge and competence in teaching and research and to contribute to scholarship in a specialized area of theological studies. The PhD is a research doctorate, and requires students to give evidence of the highest standards of scholarship at every stage of the degree program. STH PhD degrees are to be distinguished from other PhD degrees by their focus on theological approaches to the histories, communities, practices, beliefs, and ethical values of Christian institutions and traditions (and the institutions and traditions of other faiths, resources permitting); and by their intention to prepare students for scholarship and teaching in a broad range of institutions, including seminaries, schools of theology, divinity schools, and religiously affiliated colleges. The full text of the PhD handbook may be found on the  Advanced Studies website .

Learning Outcomes

• A breadth of knowledge in theological and religious studies and in other cognate disciplines with mastery of knowledge in a particular academic discipline.
• Capacity to conduct advanced scholarly research and writing that makes an original contribution to the discipline that is significant for religious communities, academy, and society.
• the ability to access appropriate resources in the study of one’s discipline, to analyze and assess critically the findings of others, and to synthesize existing knowledge with one’s own findings;
• the ability to employ primary doctoral-level research methods appropriate to the study of one’s chosen discipline; and
• the ability to communicate one’s research appropriately to scholars within one’s discipline and to other scholars, professionals, or publics beyond one’s discipline.
• the ability to design a course with appropriate, achievable, and measurable learning outcomes; and
• the ability to facilitate and evaluate learning within a course through a variety of methods.
• familiarity with the teaching profession and the academy; the responsibilities and expectations of a faculty member; and the ethical standards of one’s discipline; and
• a commitment to collaborative inquiry, mentoring, publication and other modes of transferring knowledge, and personal professional development through learned societies.
• Growth in one’s capacity for a robust embrace of and engagement with social and theological diversity and one’s capacity to relate across difference.

PhD admissions are made not only to the degree program but to a particular track and concentration as noted in the application. A request to change the concentration after admission to the program is tantamount to a new application and requires both:

• a detailed petition from the student justifying the request
• a signed statement from the potential new advisor consenting to take the student as an advisee

These items should be collated and sent to the Director of Admissions, who will then bring the request before the Advanced Studies Committee (ASC) on the applicant’s behalf. Such requests will be evaluated by the ASC after reviewing the student’s record in graduate work undertaken to date.

Applicants must have the Master of Divinity or other equivalent graduate degree in theology or disciplines appropriate to their proposed PhD study. Applicants may be required to complete additional specified prerequisites as part of the PhD curriculum. Graduate academic work with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.3 is required. The GRE is not required and will not be viewed if submitted. International students for whom English is not a native language must submit a valid TOEFL score to complete their applications.

Those who wish to be considered must complete the application by December 15 for admission the following fall. There are no admissions to the PhD program in the spring semester.

Refer to the Admission section of the STH website for  specific application instructions .

In the admissions process, the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs assigns each student to a faculty advisor. Ordinarily, students work with their assigned advisor through their qualifying exams and that advisor becomes the student’s first reader on the prospectus and dissertation. In some instances, however, a different first reader may be arranged. Students may request a change of advisor with the approval of the new advisor and the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, who may consult with the original advisor before granting approval. Students may secure a secondary advisor if they choose, and in some cases a second advisor will be suggested or assigned from the outset. Inevitably, the student will need to secure two readers, so working with one’s advisor to secure that second reader is required prior to the beginning of qualifying exams. Students may request a change of advisor within their concentration with the consent of the new advisor and the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs attested on a signed form submitted to the ASC office.

In certain, albeit rare, circumstances, students may request a second reader from outside Boston University. In those situations, requests (with advisor approval) should be submitted to the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, who is authorized to extend invitations to outside colleagues on behalf of the faculty.

Tracks/Concentrations

Students pursuing the PhD in Theological Studies are required to complete 8 of the 10 courses required for the degree in a single concentration of study or in cognate fields bearing directly upon that concentration, as approved by one’s advisor. The other two courses may be taken as elective courses, chosen strategically with the advice and authorization of the advisor, given the student’s methodological approach.

Current approved concentrations within the PhD program are organized into three tracks, which include:

Track 1: Biblical and Historical Studies

In this area, students can specialize in the following concentrations:

• Biblical Studies
• History of Christianity
• Liturgical Studies
• Mission Studies

Track 2: Theology, Ethics, and Philosophy

• Constructive Theology
• Religion and Conflict Transformation
• Theology and Philosophy
• Theology and Science

Track 3: Practical Theology

• Church and Society
• Congregation and Community
• Evangelism and Missiology
• Leadership and Administration
• Pastoral Theology and Psychology
• Religious Education
• Spirituality Studies

PhD Curriculum Requirements

The PhD requires a minimum of 44 credits, though most students end up with considerably more.

• The program requires 10 courses (of 3 or 4 credits) plus 2 credits that are fulfilled by the first-year doctoral colloquia (STH TF 903 A1, see 2.2.3).
• In addition, students must take eight semesters of 4-credit supervised internships (20 hours/week) in the 3rd through 10th semesters (with a possible exemption in semesters 9 and 10 if the student receives a dissertation fellowship). Students register for STH TZ 911 for each of these. A student may “buy out” internship semesters by forfeiting their University stipend, but only after they have completed a minimum of three semesters of 4-credit internships, as these are central to the STH PhD training model.
• Students not enrolled in internships must enroll for 2 credits of directed study (or “continuing study”) with their advisor each semester.

Policies regarding the 10 courses:

Students must take three of the 10 courses in each of the first two semesters and then take two more of the 10 in each of the third and fourth semesters.

Eight of the 10 courses are to be taken within the student’s concentration (or track, when required by that track) or in cognate fields bearing directly upon that concentration, as approved by one’s advisor. The other two courses may be taken as elective courses, chosen strategically with the advice and authorization of the advisor, given the student’s methodological approach.

Coursework for the degree must contain at least three 900-level courses. (These requirements may not be satisfied by directed study courses except by approved petition to the ASC.)

A maximum of three of the 10 full courses may be taken at institutions other than Boston University.

Courses taken to meet language requirements do not count toward the required coursework for the PhD.

Coursework older than 10 years may not be applied toward the degree.

Additional notes:

• One must be registered as a full-time student to be charged STH tuition rates; part-time students pay the tuition rate of the school in which the course originates. However, doctoral students may be certified full-time with a part-time courseload.
• The time limit for the degree program is seven years (14 semesters). For more information regarding degree deadlines for PhD students, please consult the  PhD handbook .

Required Colloquia: To better accomplish the aims of the PhD program, all entering students are required to participate in a series of colloquia during the first semester of their program. Students register for STH TF 903 A1 in the fall, and the colloquia cover research methods, teacher training, and professional identity. The colloquia are graded on a pass/fail basis on the basis of the student’s active participation, reading, and any writing or research assignments required from time to time throughout the colloquia. By completing this colloquia sequence, doctoral students:

• Will become familiar with primary doctoral-level research methods in the study of scripture, theology, history, and the social sciences with special attention to library research strategies and digital resources appropriate to those primary methods;
• Will become familiar with various information discovery tools provided by libraries, crafting a bibliography and resources for bibliographic management, use of research collections and archives (especially Boston University’s own distinctive holdings), the social construction of information, and intellectual rights;
• Will be able to construct a syllabus with appropriate, achievable, and measurable learning goals; methods of evaluation; course policies; and resources;
• Will be able to design and deliver an effective class lecture and to facilitate effective classroom discussion;
• Will be introduced to the world of the academy, including gaining familiarity with the teaching profession; the responsibilities and expectations of a faculty member in relation to research and publication, faculty governance and school service, intra-school politics, and tenure and promotion procedures;
• Will learn the importance of professional learned societies and how to submit papers to conferences and professional meetings; and
• Will become familiar with the world of academic publishing.

One or more faculty persons take turns coordinating the colloquia each year and securing the involvement of various faculty and staff with particular expertise, depending on the topic to be covered. Additional colloquia may be required by any discipline, though these will not require registration. The Office of the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs coordinates the colloquia, with oversight by the ASC, and faculty members take turns facilitating the colloquia annually.

Auditing a Course

PhD students who have not yet advanced to PhD candidacy may have the tuition of an audited course covered by scholarship if the student’s advisor and the STH academic dean approve the course. This course must be related to the dissertation research or be considered as background or preparation for the dissertation.

• Financial Aid

All students admitted to the Doctor of Philosophy program are awarded full tuition fellowships plus a generous stipend for the first five years of study. The Federal Direct Stafford/Ford Loan program is also open to students in the Doctor of Philosophy program.

All fellowship recipients must maintain a minimum grade point average of 3.3 and comply with all requirements detailed in their fellowship award letter.

The purpose of BU doctoral fellowships is to allow students to devote the time necessary to completing their studies in a timely fashion. For this reason, students receiving doctoral fellowships may not be employed during the five-year period of the fellowship, at least during the eight months of the academic year (outside employment is permitted from May 1 to August 30). There are two exceptions to this policy. First, STH students may serve as Resident Assistants or Graduate Resident Assistants in the Boston University dorms. Second, fully funded students may be employed as graders, researchers, center or program assistants, or other similar positions for additional payment only under the following conditions:

• The assignment provides the student with an opportunity for professional growth in teaching, research, and research-related program development;
• The assignment does not exceed five (5) hours/week averaged over the semester;
• The total additional payment for the semester does not exceed $1,500;
• The payment is set up as a weekly salary; and
• The assignment has approval of the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs.

Students awarded fellowships or other financial support for their studies from outside Boston University must immediately inform the Office of the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs at the School of Theology. Those awards can very much be worth pursuing as they may extend funding into the summer months, but they may also affect the funding commitment from the University. Learn more about financial aid on the School of Theology website.

Doctoral Teaching and Research Internships Program (DTRIP)

The School of Theology provides a teaching and research internship program for all incoming PhD students that orients these degree programs toward a teacher training, research training, and mentoring model.

The DTRIP program requires all doctoral students to accept eight semester-long (20 hour/week) internships during their degree program and prior to graduating (they may be exempted from the last two if they receive a dissertation fellowship). While these internships are not paid positions but rather requirements of the degree program, students are supported by yearly fellowships during the first five years of their doctoral work.

Faculty Mentoring and Evaluation of Students

Faculty members who mentor doctoral interns are responsible for developing learning outcomes with their interns at the beginning of each semester and for providing an evaluation of the intern during and at the conclusion of each assignment. Periodic seminars and workshops will be offered to help faculty to better function effectively as mentors for doctoral interns under their supervision.

The Internships

All Research and Teaching Internships require registration during the semester in which they are fulfilled. The internships do not count toward the timeline considerations regarding finishing qualifying exams or the submission of the prospectus.

At the conclusion of each internship, students are required to respond to an online self-evaluation and faculty mentors likewise provide an evaluation. The faculty member indicates whether time and effort expended was appropriate to the assignment, and thus whether the internship has been fulfilled. The faculty member also makes comments about the competence of the doctoral intern to be included in the student’s teaching portfolio. This type of evaluation is based on the principle that an educational program warrants formal assessment of those it is supposed to benefit. This information is used by the ASC and the Dean’s office in refining efforts to help each student become competent in teaching and research. In addition, the portfolios may be accessed by students who wish to provide the portfolios to future prospective employers.

Academic Requirements

• No grade lower than B is acceptable for use in satisfying the requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy degree. An automatic Academic Review occurs if a student receives a grade lower than B. The 10 required courses may not be taken on a pass/fail basis but must receive a letter grade. Two grades lower than B are grounds for termination from the degree program.
• Coursework for the degree must contain at least three 900-level courses. (These requirements may not be satisfied by directed study courses except by approved petition to the Advanced Studies Committee.)
• A maximum of three of the 10 courses may be taken through the Boston Theological Institute, and these must be approved in advance by both advisors.
• Undergraduate and 700-level courses will not count toward the required coursework for the PhD.

Related Bulletin Pages

• School of Theology Courses
• Abbreviations and Symbols

Beyond the Bulletin

• Doctor of Philosophy in Practical Theology Handbook
• School of Theology
• Graduation Deadlines
• Master of Divinity (MDiv)
• Master of Sacred Music (MSM)
• Dual MDiv/MSM
• MA in Religion & Public Leadership (MARPL)
• Master of Theological Studies (MTS)
• Master of Sacred Theology (STM)
• Doctor of Ministry (DMin)
• PhD in Theological Studies
• STH Certificates
• Nondegree Students
• Dual Degrees in Theology and Education
• Dual Degrees in Theology and Social Work
• MA and PhD Programs from Arts & Sciences
• Graduate Certificate in Fundraising Management
• STH Travel Seminar to Spain
• Academic and Student Resources

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Boston University is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE).

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Religious Studies, PhD

The graduate program in Religious Studies at the University of Pennsylvania offers unique research opportunities for students to become first class scholars, teachers and expositors in the field. Our program is situated within one of the largest and finest research universities in the country, easily accessible to other research centers along the eastern seaboard. At the same time, the Department of Religious Studies provides students with a great deal of individual attention from faculty members, and the opportunity to interact with students from diverse subfields.

Within this context of extensive resources and personalized guidance, each student works with an advisor to design his or her own course of study. The structure of the PhD program currently consists of six core full time faculty members, and a graduate group comprised of faculty across the University of Pennsylvania campus whose research and teaching significantly involves the study of religion and who actively participate in the training of graduate students in Religious Studies.

The typical doctoral program in Religious Studies is funded over a five-year period, over which students are expected to engage in coursework, complete teaching assistantships, and attend the graduate colloquium. Requirements for the program include a minimum of two languages, qualifying examinations, preliminary examinations (with an oral examination component), and an oral dissertation defense.

Graduate students in Religious Studies have the benefit of a wealth of resources unrivalled by any major research university. In addition to possessing one of the best research libraries in the world, Penn is also home to the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, the oldest institution of its kind in the United States. Within the city of Pennsylvania, research centers include The Library Company of Philadelphia an independent research library specializing in American history and culture from the 17th through the 19th centuries.

For more information: http://www.sas.upenn.edu/religious_studies/graduate

View the University’s Academic Rules for PhD Programs .

Required Courses

A total of 20 course units are required for graduation. A minimum of 12 course units must be taken at the University of Pennsylvania.

Take at least one 5000-level or above course in a tradition other than area of specialty.

The degree and major requirements displayed are intended as a guide for students entering in the Fall of 2023 and later. Students should consult with their academic program regarding final certifications and requirements for graduation.

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Graduate Programs

Religious studies.

The Department of Religious Studies maintains exceptional strength in the study of religion in antiquity, Asian religions, modern religious thought and the theoretical study of religion.

The graduate program in Religious Studies at Brown is one of the finest in the nation. From among a large pool of highly qualified applicants, the department admits four to six doctoral students a year. Current graduate students have distinguished themselves by publishing, presenting papers at international conferences, and earning recognition and support from prestigious external funding organizations. Department's graduates have an excellent placement record, teaching in such institutions as Harvard, Stanford, Indiana University, University of California, Brooklyn College, Reed College, Haverford, Rice University, University of Washington - St. Louis, and University of Wisconsin (Madison).

We offer Ph.D. studies in four areas:

• Asian Religious Traditions (ART) Islam
• Society and Culture (ISC)
• Religion and Critical Thought (RCT)
• Religions of the Ancient Mediterranean (RAM) (including Ancient Judaism, early Christianity, early Islam, and numerous others)

Additional Resources

The department maintains close working relationships with other Brown departments. Students often supplement their work with courses in history, anthropology, classics, philosophy, political science, sociology, Judaic studies, East Asian studies, art history, comparative literature, and the Institute for Archeology and the Ancient World. Through the University exchange program students may also take courses at other local universities. A monthly seminar, Culture and Religion in the Ancient Mediterranean, brings together students and faculty from across the University.

Application Information

Brief Zoom or phone interviews may be required as part of the application review process.

Application Requirements

Gre subject:.

Not required

GRE General:

Writing sample:.

Required (of 25 pages or less). Some tracks also require previous language study.

Dates/Deadlines

Application deadline, completion requirements.

All areas require three years (six semesters) of full–time study beyond the baccalaureate degree, including RS200; reading competence of at least two scholarly languages (typically French and German, depending on the track) and relevant other languages; preliminary examination; dissertation; oral defense; one year of teaching experience. Tracks also have additional specific requirements: for details, see the Religious Studies website and the Graduate Handbook.

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Department of religious studies, mailing address.

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• Ph.D. Program in Religion

For students seeking their Ph.D. in Religion, the Graduate Program in Religion —part of the Duke Graduate School—offers a Ph.D. program. Although this program is not housed with the Department of Religious Studies, it is a collaboration between the Department and Duke Divinity School. The program includes the following 9 fields of study, also called tracks, in which students can concentrate their studies:

• American Religion
• Asian Religions
• Christian Theological Studies
• Early Christianity
• Hebrew Bible/Old Testament
• Islamic Studies
• New Testament
• Religion, Aesthetics, and Society
• World Christianity

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College of Arts & Sciences

Program Details

Focus: religious pluralism and interreligious encounter.

As the nation’s oldest Catholic and Jesuit university, Georgetown University maintains a deep commitment to intercultural and interreligious understanding.  Our Ph.D. program in Theological and Religious Studies aims to equip students to grapple with the intellectual and ethical imperatives of a multireligious and multicultural world—engaging questions of religious pluralism and interreligious encounter from varied historical and contemporary perspectives, and with scholarly and public applicability. 

Our students research issues of religious pluralism in diverse ways.  Some develop projects in comparative theology, studying with integrity the beliefs and practices of more than one religious tradition.  Recognizing the other as “other” but not as “opposite,” such comparative study can engender mutual illumination among religious traditions where differences are as important as commonalities—opening up a fresh and rich understanding of one’s own tradition.

Other students approach interreligious questions through the methodologies of religious studies, exploring the historical and cultural significance of engagements within and between religious communities in particular moments of encounter.  Finally, some students focus their research on pluralism and diversity within a particular religious tradition, whether by analyzing the relations between center and margins or by tracing the ways in which practitioners articulate alternative voices and views within their own religious idiom.

Degree Requirements

The doctoral program ordinarily requires five years of full-time study: two years for course work, one year to prepare for the comprehensive examinations and the dissertation proposal, and two years for writing the dissertation. In addition, the program requires a reading knowledge of two languages apart from English appropriate to the student’s field of study.

Course Work

The program requires 36 credits in graduate courses, not including language study. Students who have completed a significant amount of relevant coursework prior to entering the program may be eligible for Advanced Standing.  Credits are ordinarily distributed as follows:

• Two foundational seminars in religious pluralism: one on religious studies perspectives, the other on theological and philosophical perspectives. 
• Two core seminars with a methodological focus that cuts across traditions
• Three courses in a primary field of study.
• Three courses in a secondary field of study.
• Two electives relevant to a student’s chosen fields of study

Language Requirement

Reading knowledge of two languages besides English is required. These languages should be relevant to the student’s fields of research, especially the dissertation. Reading competence may be demonstrated in three ways: (1) coursework equivalent to the intermediate level completed at an accredited institution; (2) acceptable translation of an appropriate theological or philosophical text to be done within two hours, with the help of a dictionary if necessary; (3) acceptable proof that the foreign language in question is the student’s native language.

Students should recognize that these requirements are only a minimum, and that strong language skills are necessary in order to do sophisticated work in theology and religious studies.

Professional Development

The Graduate Program also supports our students through regular workshops aimed at assisting in their professional development. These range from how to develop successful CVs and cover letters, to writing for scholarly publications, and how to navigate the job market.

Furthermore, we make a concerted effort to prepare our doctoral candidates for teaching undergraduate courses in Theology and Religious Studies. To this end, our students act as Teaching Assistants beginning in their second year. They work closely with senior faculty to develop the requisite skills to prepare and teach general courses in Theology and Religious Studies, as well as courses in their particular areas of specialization. After students complete their comprehensive exams, they may teach their own undergraduate courses. This is an invaluable opportunity to gain teaching experience and one that we support through one-on-one faculty mentoring. 

DEPARTMENT OF RELIGIOUS STUDIES

The Department of Religious Studies at Northwestern offers a small, highly flexible, interdisciplinary Ph.D. program that takes full advantage of faculty strength within our department as well as ancillary fields of the humanities and social sciences.  In the spirit of the inherently interdisciplinary character of religious studies, we train scholars both in the history of theory and method in religious studies and in important complementary approaches like ethnography, textual study, philosophy, historiography, and art history.  Our exceptional faculty’s wide training and diverse interests provide a rich foundation for future scholarship and teaching in a field that demands deeply trained specialists who are nonetheless avidly engaged in broad methodological and theoretical conversations of interest to the whole discipline.

Graduate students take at least two years of course work, including seminars, tutorials, and independent studies. All students take a two-quarter sequence in theories and methods in the study of religion and at least one course in comparative study of religion. Examples include "The Study of Religion as Vocation," "Classical Theories of Religion," "Sin, Salvation, and Racialization," and "Secularities: Thinking with, through, and against 'Religion'."

In addition, all students expand their circles of mentors and colleagues by taking up to half their course work in other departments.  Many students join an entering cohort in an affiliated department by participating in its standard first-year program, e.g. writing a first-year paper in History, taking the Introduction to Graduate Study in English, or taking the introductory seminars in cultural anthropology and anthropological research. But not all external coursework need be done in the same department. Rather, classes are chosen flexibly in consultation with the student's adviser in order to take full advantage of faculty resources in the field. To guarantee appropriate cross training, each examining committee and dissertation committee includes at least one faculty member from outside the department.

The third year is devoted to written and oral qualifying exams, to the preparation of a prospectus, and to additional course work if desired; the fourth and fifth years are dedicated to dissertation research and writing. Most students complete the degree within five years, although dissertations that require extensive fieldwork or archival research might take longer; additional competitive funding is available for longer projects.

Global Engagement

Global database, ph.d. in theological and religious studies.

The Department of Theology sponsors this Ph.D. program with religious pluralism as a central focus. Students comparatively examine at least two major religions with respect to theology, ethics, and culture.

Learn More About Ph.D. in Theological and Religious Studies

Department of Theology and Religious Studies

Graduate School of Arts and Sciences

Church and World

Human Rights

Interreligious Dialogue

• School of Arts & Sciences
• College of Arts & Sciences
• Graduate Division
• College of Liberal and Professional Studies

Graduate Program

The graduate program in Religious Studies at the University of Pennsylvania offers unique opportunities for students to become first class researchers, teachers, and public scholars. Our program is situated in one of the largest and finest research universities in the country, with easy access to other research centers along the eastern seaboard. The program provides students with a great deal of individual attention from faculty members and the opportunity to interact with other students representing diverse subfields in the discipline.

Within this context of extensive resources and personalized guidance, each student works with an advisor to design their own course of study. The PhD program currently consists of eight  core faculty members , and a graduate group comprised of experts across campus who actively participate in the training of graduate students in Religious Studies.

The doctoral program in Religious Studies is funded for five years, over which time students are expected to engage in coursework, complete teaching assistantships, and attend the graduate colloquium. Requirements include a minimum of two research languages, teaching-focused qualifying examinations, research-focused candidacy examinations (with both a written and an oral examination component), an original contribution to scholarly knowledge in the form of a written dissertation, and an oral dissertation defense.

Graduate students in Religious Studies benefit from a wealth of resources unrivalled by any major research university. In addition to possessing one of the best research libraries in the world (including the Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books, and Manuscripts ), Penn is also home to the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology , the oldest institution of its kind in the United States. Within the city of Philadelphia, research centers include The Library Company of Philadelphia  (an independent research library specializing in American history and culture from the 17th through the 19th centuries) and the Presbyterian Historical Society (the oldest denominational archives in the United States).

The Graduate School of Arts and Sciences also offers a Faculty Wellness Partners Program for graduate students along with other programs that support students and their families.

For more information on the graduate program in Religious Studies, please visit Research Areas and Degree Requirements , or email Katelyn Stoler .

Department of Religious Studies

• Doctoral Programs (Ph.D)

Brown University admits students without regard to national or ethnic origin, race, color, sex, sexual orientation, and creed of handicap. 

Contact Faculty

Prior to applying, students are encouraged to contact faculty with whom they are interested in working, and if possible, to visit during the academic year. Such prior contact allows students to gain a better sense of our programs than any materials can convey. For logistical help in arranging such a visit, please contact Nicole Vadnais ( [email protected] ). We regret that we cannot provide any financial assistance for such visits. All applications are given the same consideration regardless of whether the applicant has contacted us in advance and/or visited Brown.

Asian Religious Traditions (ART) and Religions of the Ancient Mediterranean (RAM) programs expect some proper preparation in relevant languages. Applicants to ART: East Asian Studies (EAS) must have at least two years of Chinese or Japanese; three or more years is highly recommended. Students intending to specialize in some aspect of Ancient Judaism must have a minimum of two years of college level biblical Hebrew or its equivalent; a working knowledge of modern and rabbinic Hebrew and introductory ancient Greek are also highly desirable. Students intending to specialize in some aspect of early Christianity, or Greek or Roman religion should have college level training in at least one of the principal ancient languages for the program, Greek or Latin. Preference will be given to RAM applicants who have appropriate prior study of Greek (and other appropriate languages) and a reading knowledge of French or German, as well as prior work in the history, literature, and religions of the ancient Mediterranean.

Excellent command of English, both spoken and written, is also required of all successful applicants. Please note that GRE scores are no longer requirement and there is no minimum GPA. While applicants are expected to have demonstrated excellent preparation, aptitude, and potential to be successful scholars and teachers, we carefully consider the complete application. We pay particularly close attention to the personal statement, so applicants should take care in articulating why they think that our department is an appropriate place for them to study.

Writing Sample

A writing sample is required as part of the application. Applicants should limit the sample to approximately 6000 words (about 25 ordinary typed pages).

The application deadline for the next academic year is December 1st. Applicants should apply online through the university Graduate School. Read these pages (particularly the "General Information" section) carefully before applying.

Advice to Applicants

In any given year, the Department of Religious Studies at Brown receives 80 to 100 or so applications for Ph.D. study. Of these, fewer than 10% will be offered admission. The advice we offer here is intended to help you think realistically about whether to apply for Ph.D. work in general, and whether to apply specifically to the Religious Studies Department at Brown.

All Religious Studies Ph.D. students receive five years of funding. This includes fellowship stipends or teaching assistantships, tuition, and Cardinal Care health insurance for the student.  In addition, Ph.D. students receive five funded summers of support.

We do not offer funding for coterminal or Masters students.

Beyond the five years of funding, below is a list of resources for PhD students to find grants or scholarships to finish writing the dissertation. Application deadlines can be as early as the fall before, so please plan in advance to apply. Internal Stanford grants are only available to Stanford students; external grants can be from outside donors or open to students beyond Stanford. Please note that this list is not exhaustive, and we encourage research into other funding opportunities.

Stanford (internal) Funding Opportunities

External funding opportunities.

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