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: 60

Requirements

A doctoral student in religious studies must complete 60 semester hours of coursework, including the doctoral seminar in religious studies (R S 384D), dissertation research and writing courses, and additional courses related to the student’s concentration. Courses taken to complete the master's degree requirements (except for the master's report or thesis) also count toward the total number of hours. Students who enter with a master’s degree from another institution may petition to have up to six hours of coursework (not including the thesis hours) transferred toward the doctoral requirements. While in residence, doctoral students must participate in the departmental and concentration colloquia.

Students enter the program having chosen one of the four areas of concentration. They must fulfill the foreign language requirements for the concentration. In addition, each student identifies a thematic topic that crosses geographical and temporal boundaries and completes other courses necessary for exam preparation. Each student's progress is reviewed during the eighth semester of study, at which time it is normally expected that the student has been admitted to doctoral candidacy.

To qualify for admission to candidacy for the doctoral degree, students must complete the prescribed course of study in the concentration area and pass qualifying exams in four fields:

1. the major field;
2. the supporting field(s);
3. the thematic field; and
4. the special topic or dissertation field.

The exams consist of written essays for each field and an oral defense of the essays. Candidacy is also contingent upon regular participation in the departmental and concentration colloquia, as certified by the graduate advisor. To file for doctoral candidacy, the student must establish a dissertation committee and have a dissertation proposal accepted by the committee. Students then write the dissertation and defend it in a final oral examination before the dissertation committee. Students are expected to write the dissertation, have it approved, and pass the final oral examination within two years of admission to candidacy.

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
All students must also follow the following requirements and policies:
Graduate Liberal Arts Requirements
Graduate University Requirements