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Religious Studies

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Master of Arts

About the Program

In our demanding yet flexible master’s program, you’ll benefit from individual attention and mentoring from our world-class faculty as you explore the interdisciplinary field of religious studies. You'll gain knowledge and expertise in a wide range of theories and methodologies, from anthropology to history to philosophy to textual analysis, while developing your own specialization in a particular area of research. Plus, you’ll have the opportunity to explore different religious traditions and new religious movements in greater depth. Very few universities offer graduate degrees in the methods and theories of religious studies; our Master of Arts degree aims to fill this demand.

What to Expect

Through our writing- and theory-intensive program—which you can complete in two years if studying full time, or longere if part time—you’ll gain a solid foundation in the methods used in the contemporary study of religion.

Our flexible, mentoring-based approach to teaching offers you opportunities beyond the core 30-credit-hour course requirements, including:

  • Taking supervised independent studies from our faculty,
  • Co-authoring papers with faculty members and
  • Serving as an assistant instructor in undergraduate religion courses.
     
My favorite thing about Case Western Reserve is the community, especially my students, who are inquisitive, hard-working and always keep me on my toes.
Justine Howe, Chair of the Department of Religious Studies

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Beyond the Classroom

What can you achieve with a master’s in religious studies? The academic study of religion provides an excellent background for any professional career that involves interaction with diverse populations, and for graduate studies in a number of fields.

Examples of possible career paths include:

  • Chaplaincy,
  • Working in an office of religious life,
  • Teaching high school or college
  • Divinity school or
  • Clinical-pastoral education.

Whether you’re looking to conduct further research, enter the field of teaching or academia, or lead in the community, you’ll be prepared with the knowledge and skills you need to pursue your long-term goals.
 

By the Numbers

30

credit-hour master’s program

#18

university in the world for contributions to innovation

16th

university in the nation for percentage of baccalaureate to doctoral degrees

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Admissions Details

We review applications on an on-going basis throughout the year. When reviewing your profile for admission consideration, we require the following:

  • Online application
  • Statement of objectives
  • Writing sample
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • Academic transcripts
  • GRE scores
  • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) scores (for international students only)
  • $50 non-refundable application fee
     

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