Doctor of Philosophy

Fulfill ALL of the following requirements:

Two seminars in Theories and Methods, one of which is offered every year. Both seminars must be completed prior to candidacy, unless approved by the DGS and the primary advisor.

The following two seminars (391 and 379) are offered in alternate years. Complete at least one prior to candidacy, and the other one in your third year.

• Students should do course work with at least five different faculty members of the department during their first two years in the program.

• Two courses in an area outside the student's subfield within Religious Studies.

• The remainder of the coursework is individually designed in consultation with the student’s advisor.

This requirement is fulfilled by taking RELIGST 379. 

To qualify for writing a dissertation, the student must pass comprehensive written and oral examinations in their chosen field(s) and area(s) of specialization, typically during the first quarter of their fourth year. The qualifying examination is usually conducted by a committee of at least three faculty, one of whom is the student’s advisor. One faculty member may be from outside the department or university with permission of the Director of Graduate Studies (DGS).

Teaching is core to the academic and professional training of doctoral students in our program. All students are required to complete 2 quarters of teaching experience by the end of their 3rd  year in the program regardless of their financial support.

In addition to the two quarters of teaching experience, all students are required to complete at least one Advanced Teaching Practicum under the supervision of a faculty member. 

Admission to candidacy is a prospective judgement by the faculty of a student’s potential to successfully complete the requirements of the degree program. Students are expected to apply for candidacy by the middle of the third quarter of the second year. Qualifying procedures in the Department of Religious Studies include required coursework and submission of the candidacy dossier. The dossier includes the approved declaration of an area of specialization, certification for one foreign language, and two substantial course projects completed for courses during the previous two years. Additional details on qualifying procedures can be found in the Graduate Handbook. opens in a new tab

In the Department of Religious Studies, the oral exam is a defense of the  completed draft of the dissertation. Students consult with their dissertation advisor and reading committee members on the timing of the defense.

The dissertation contributes to the humanistic study of religion and is written under the direction of the student's dissertation reading committee. This committee includes the student’s advisor and at least two other members of the Academic Council.

-Dissertation Proposal: Students submit their dissertation proposal in consultation with their advisors. It is read and approved by the three members of the dissertation reading committee.

Students are required to demonstrate reading knowledge of at least two modern foreign languages. The languages chosen, in consultation with their primary advisor, should be those in which there is a significant body of scholarship in the student's field. Certification of one of the required languages is completed prior to advancement to candidacy; remaining language requirements are completed prior to the qualifying examinations. Information on completing this requirement can be found in the program’s handbook.