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Religious Studies

Areas of Study and Research

The Department of Religious Studies pursues a critical and comparative study of religions. This study aims to illuminate the dynamics of religion as a dimension of human culture and to develop theories and methods that advance our understanding of religion in its cultural and historical context. The faculty offers instruction in methodologies in the study of religion; religion and dance; history of religions, including Hinduism, Buddhism, religions of China and Japan, Islam, Christianity, Judaism, Native American and other traditional religions; and religions in North America.

Related areas of study include a dual master's degree with the Departments of History or East Asian Languages and Civilizations. There is also a certificate program in ethnographic and transcultural filmmaking. Opportunities for interdisciplinary study are available among a wide selection of departments such as: anthropology, sociology, East Asian languages and civilizations, comparative literature, philosophy, classics, women's studies, theatre and dance, journalism and mass communication, and fine arts.

Degrees Offered

MA
Requires 30 semester hours of course work, including three required core seminars; a thesis representing 4-6 semester hours of thesis research, a comprehensive final exam, and a competence (fourth semester) in a language other than English and use of this language in the student’s course of study.

Admission

Graduate School Minimum Admissions Standards
Individual graduate departments may have additional or more restrictive standards by which they evaluate graduate applicants. However, the Graduate School at CU-Boulder has established minimum standards for graduate admission. Applicants must:

  1. Hold a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university, or have done work equivalent to that required for such a degree.
  2. Show promise of ability to pursue advanced study and research, as judged by the student’s scholastic record.
  3. Have adequate preparation to enter graduate study in the chosen field.
  4. Have at least a 2.75 (2.00=C) undergraduate grade point average. Note: Applicants who cannot meet this undergraduate standard may still secure regular admission if they have completed 9 semester hours of relevant graduate course work with at least a 3.25 average.

Religious Studies Admissions Requirements
Applicants must:

  1. Hold a baccalaureate degree or its equivalent from an accredited college or university.
  2. Have an undergraduate GPA of at least 2.75.
  3. Have completed at least 12 semester hours (or the equivalent) of undergraduate course work directly related to the academic study of religion.
  4. All citizens/U.S. residents must complete the GRE test.
  5. Provide four letters of recommendation.
  6. Provide a personal letter describing educational goals.

Financial Support Available
All new applicants are considered for assistance which may be in the form of grants, fellowships, or teaching assistant positions.

Application Information and Deadlines
 
Fall admission Yes
Application deadline January 15
International application deadline January 31
Financial assistance application deadline January 15
 
Spring admission Yes
Application deadline October 15
International application deadline September 15
 
Summer admission No

Contact Information

University of Colorado at Boulder
Department of Religious Studies
Graduate Program Administrator
Humanities 240
292 UCB
Boulder, CO 80309-0292
Phone: 303-492-8041
Fax: 303-735-2080
E-mail: RLST@colorado.edu
Website: www.colorado.edu/ReligiousStudies