Religious Studies (MA)
Department website: https://liberalarts.utexas.edu/rs/graduate-studies/
Students develop specialization in areas of concentration that are defined geographically, historically, or in some cases, methodologically. In all areas of concentration, students study the development of and interactions between religious phenomena in their particular cultural and historical contexts, and they use relevant theories and methodologies to understand these phenomena. Students define their major, supporting, and thematic fields within their area(s) of concentration.
Students take a set of required courses established by each of these concentrations and fields in order to develop the research and interpretative skills necessary for original research and to learn the contextual knowledge necessary for understanding religion within a particular geographical and chronological framework.
The four areas of concentration are Religion in the Ancient Mediterranean, Religion in the Americas, Religion and Society, and Religions in History.
Graduate Handbook
Graduate handbook information is updated and maintained by each program. Graduate handbooks are available within each program's office and online. Please contact the program with concerns or questions.
Total Hours Required: 30
Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Major | ||
| R S 383M | Theory and Method in the Study of Religion | 3 |
| Participate in departmental and concentration colloquia | ||
| Choose a sequence below: | 27 | |
| Sequence 1: Report | ||
| Master's Report | ||
Additional Coursework | ||
| Sequence 2: Thesis | ||
| Thesis | ||
Additional Coursework | ||
| Sequence 3: No Thesis or Report | ||
Additional Coursework | ||
| Graduate Liberal Arts Requirements | ||
| Graduate University Requirements | ||
| Total Hours | 30 | |
Additional Requirements and Policies
- Students who wish to pursue the no-thesis, no-report degree option must obtain approval in advance from the Department of Religious Studies.
- Prior graduate coursework will be taken into consideration. No more than six hours of upper-division undergraduate credit may be counted toward the degree.
- All students must complete at least 18 semester hours of graduate coursework in religious studies.
- Students also complete the core courses required for their area of specialization. Specific course numbers are available from the office of the graduate coordinator.
- In addition, in consultation with a faculty advisor, each student identifies a related field outside the major field in which to complete six hours of graduate coursework. This coursework may be either from outside the department or in another area of religious studies. The related field must be approved by representatives of the Graduate Studies Committee.
- Each student’s progress is reviewed after the fourth semester of study by the Graduate Studies Committee. This committee makes one of three recommendations: that the student
- proceed to the doctoral degree requirements upon satisfactory completion of the master's degree requirements;
- be reviewed again before proceeding to the doctoral degree requirements; or
- leave the program.