Earn your MA in Religious Studies
The master of arts program in the Department of Religious Studies is designed for students who wish to advance their understanding of a particular area of religious studies or explore multiple traditions and topics beyond the undergraduate level. It can be more or less focused. Many MA students choose to later pursue a PhD. Many others bring their advanced education to such careers as medicine, nursing, law, diplomacy, ministry, social advocacy, journalism, counseling, and informatics.
It is the expectation that MA students will complete their studies in two years.
For additional information on the MA program, including requirements, see the program book and other documents below.
Areas of concentration
Graduate study in the Department of Religious Studies analyzes how diverse religious traditions originate, develop, and interact over time. Students learn to identify and use multiple methods for the study of religion, including historical, philosophical, ethical, literary, linguistic, psychological, ethnographic, and digital approaches.
Students can draw on the expertise of the entire religious studies faculty and are also encouraged to work with faculty members in other UI departments who specialize in their areas of interest. Many religious studies graduate students work, for example, with faculty in Anthropology, English, History, and Asian and Slavic Languages and Literatures, as well as Classics and Gender, Women’s, and Sexuality Studies.
Graduate study in the department is flexible. It can accommodate individual students’ interests within the limits of existing faculty expertise.
Programs of graduate study are often developed in relation to one of the following traditional areas of concentration.
Religions of Southwest Asia, North Africa, and the Mediterranean
- Religion, law, and politics in the Islamic world
- The history of interpretation of the texts and traditions of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam
- Greco-Roman and Egyptian religion and culture
- Digital humanities
Religions of East Asia
- Religious traditions of China and the political, social, and economic factors that have shaped them
- Modern religion and culture in Korea, most notably Christianity
- Religion and gender in transnational perspective
- Religion and empire
Religions of the United States and the Transatlantic World
- History and ethnography of religion in the US
- African American religious traditions (Christianity, Islam, and African diaspora religions)
- West African religions
- Religion, media, and the negotiation of technological change
- Latina/o/x Christianity
Religion, ethics, and society
- Religion and morality
- Religion, emotion, and affect
- Human rights
- Religions’ relationships to gender, race, ethnicity, and social justice
- Ethics of medicine and biotechnology
- Religion and health
Programs can also be developed by theme. Common themes include:
- Religious diversity in public life
- Religion and gender
- Religion and race
- Religion and media
- Religion, health, and healing
Departmental documents and forms for the MA
Create your academic path
You'll find degree overviews, requirements, course lists, academic plans, and more to help you plan your education and explore your possibilities.
Current course list
The MyUI Schedule displays registered courses for a particular session and is available to enrolled students. The list view includes course instructors, time and location, and features to drop courses or change sections.
Questions?
For specific inquiries about the MA program, please contact the Director of Graduate Studies:
