Doctorate in Philosophy Religious Studies Specialization in Canadian Studies

The Department of Classics and Religious Studies offers programs of study leading to the degrees of Master of Arts (MA) in Religious Studies and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Religious Studies.

Objectives and Methods

The Department of Classics and Religious Studies (sector: Religious Studies) focuses on the study of the religious phenomenon through teaching and research in the same manner and on the same level as any other category of facts accessible to human experience and observation.

The disciplines that play a role in the study of religions are primarily of a historical, sociological, psychological and anthropological nature. Such a study must take into account the plurality of religious traditions and expressions in society and examine the relationships among them.

Research on the meaning of religious phenomena is accomplished through analysis and comparison of the various means of religious expression, both in the past and present. No tradition is considered normative.

Areas of Research

The programs focus on religions in Canada, including Amerindian and Inuit traditions, and on religions in the comparative cultural context as well as religions in the Graeco-Roman World. The comparative cultural approach provides an opportunity to explore religious phenomena across different religious traditions expressly within their specific cultural contexts. The program favours the methods of anthropology, history, psychology and sociology.

The Department participates in collaborative programs in Womens Studies and in Medieval and Renaissance Studies at the MA level and in Canadian Studies at the PhD level. For more information on these
programs, see

Because of its strength in relevant areas, its bilingual character and its location in the national capital, the University of Ottawa is uniquely positioned to offer a collaborative program leading to a specialization in Canadian Studies at the doctoral level. The program is especially designed for doctoral students in selected programs in the humanities and the social sciences who wish to enrich their training in a particular discipline by including an interdisciplinary component.

The programs are governed by the academic regulations in effect for graduate studies.

For the most accurate and up to date information on application deadlines, language tests and other admission requirements, please visit the specific requirements webpage.

Candidates must have a Master of Arts in Religious Studies or the equivalent, and must meet the requirements in effect for graduate studies. When they apply, candidates must indicate their preferred area of research, consult a full-time professor of the department whom they hope to have as a supervisor, and submit a two-page statement of their doctoral research project.

Official applications should be submitted by the deadlines in effect for graduate studies. Applications received after a deadline will be considered only if positions are available.

All applicants must be able to understand speak and write either English or French proficiently. Applicants whose first language is neither English nor French must provide proof of proficiency in one or the other. The list of acceptable tests is indicated in the “Admission” section of the academic regulations in effect for graduate studies.

In accordance with the University of Ottawa regulation, assignments, examinations, research papers and theses can be produced in either English or French.

Collaborative Program

The doctoral program in Religious Studies participates in the collaborative program in Canadian Studies at the doctoral level. This program has been established for students wishing to enrich their training in Religious Studies by including an interdisciplinary component in Canadian Studies. The seminar (CDN 6520 or CDN 6910) fits into the departmental course requirements and does not add to the number of courses required for the doctorate in Religious Studies.

Transfer from Master's to PhD

Students enrolled in the MA program may be allowed to transfer to the PhD program without being required to write a master’s thesis provided they meet the following conditions:

• Hold an honours BA in Religious Studies with a minimum average of 8.0 (A-) in the last eight relevant courses of the undergraduate transcript and a minimum of 9.0 (A) in four of these eight courses, or hold a master’s degree in a field other than religious studies;
• Have completed the mandatory MA course SRS 5915/SRS 5115 and three other MA courses with a minimum grade of A- in two courses and a minimum grade of A in two courses;
• Have completed a 40-page research paper (SRS 5999);
• Provide a written recommendation in support of the transfer from the supervisor of the research paper and from the Graduate Studies Committee;
• Provide an agreement on the part of a faculty member of the Religious Studies program to supervise the student's doctoral thesis.

The transfer must be completed by the end of the fourth term following initial enrollment in the master’s program. Please note that the minimal admission average requirements for the doctoral program must also be met. Following transfer, all of the usual requirements of the PhD must be met: a total of 30 units of graduate coursework (MA and PhD combined); the comprehensive exam (SRS 9998); and, the thesis (THD 9999).

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