Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Degree in the field of Religion

MA and PhD Degrees in the field of Religion

Upon completing the MA and PhD degrees in the field of Religion, students will be able to:

1. Develop and apply critical toolkit to the study of religion and religious traditions, including (inter)disciplinary methodologies and theories at a professional level. 
   (Critical Skill Study of Religion: Theory, Method and (Inter)Disciplinarity)
2. Understand and interpret religious traditions by examining religion(s) as historical, social, and cultural phenomena. When appropriate, attention is given to the impact of globalism, immigration, colonialism, and other forms of transnational and multi-cultural (non)religious exchanges at a professional level. 
   (Historical, Social, (Multi-)Cultural Dimensions of Religion)
3. Understand and interpret the subjective dimensions of religion(s) through analyses that explore the psychological, philosophical, and cognitive dynamics of religion and religious experience at a professional level. 
   (Psychological, Philosophical and Cognitive Dimensions of Relgion)
4. Understand and interpret religions traditions by examining the plurality of religious voice and expressions, including currents that have been marginalized, neglected, repressed, and censored in a variety of sociological, psychological, philosophical, and political ways at a professional level. 
   (Religious Plurality and Marginal Currents)
5. Develop the ability to read and understand relevant scholarly research/literature that has been published in foreign languages. Develop the ability to read religious texts in their original languages and perform translations of texts when appropriate to the student's course of study at a professional level. 
   (Foreign Language Skills)
6. Develop the ability to communicate effectively (inter)disciplinary knowledge and critical research in the classroom, at professional conferences, and in academic publications at a professional level.
   (Communication: Pedagogy and Professionalism)

MA and PhD Degrees in field of Religion

MA Degree Program

MA degree is a non-thesis master’s degree. For general university requirements, please see Non-Thesis Master's Degrees. For additional requirements, regulations, and procedures for all graduate programs, please see All Graduate Students. Although students are not normally admitted to study for this non-thesis MA, graduate students may earn MA after obtaining approval of their candidacy for PhD. To pursue a thesis, terminal master's degree in field of Religion, please see Thesis Master's Degree option. 

The English Language Proficiency Requirement may be waived for an international student who received a degree from an institution in which English is the official language of communication. Contact the admitting program for more information.

The following language proficiency tests are accepted by Rice graduate programs and will be used to assess English language proficiency. Please note the below scores are the minimum requirement, though some program requirements will be higher.

• The TOEFL IBT Home. A minimum score of 90 is required
• IELTS Indicator. A minimum score of 7 is required.
• Duolingo. A minimum score of 115 is required.

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