Department of Religious Studies Academic Programs -- The University of Iowa

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Academic Programs

The Department of Religious Studies offers academic programs at three degree levels. These brief descriptions link into pages with more specific information about the programs.

Undergraduate Major (B.A. in Religious Studies)
The major in religion requires 30 semester hours (33 s.h. for honors students, who write a supervised honors paper). Students begin with foundation level courses (15 s.h.), continue their work in one of three areas of concentration (12 s.h.), and finish off with the senior seminar (3 s.h.). Through foundation courses, students acquire a basic understanding of traditional Eastern and Western religions, as well as religion as an element of culture. The area of concentration enables students to develop their interests in Western Religious Traditions; Asian Religious Traditions; or Religion, Culture, and Society. To declare a major in Religious Studies, go to the Academic Programs office of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (120 Schaeffer Hall) and file a declaration of major form.

Undergraduate Minor
A minor in religious studies requires 15 s.h. of credit in religious studies courses with a g.p.a. of at least 2.00. Of the 15 s.h., at least 12 s.h. must be taken at The University of Iowa in upper-level religious studies courses, including 032:008, 032:009, and all courses numbered above 032:050. Students may transfer 3 s.h. from another institution toward their minor with the recommendation of the department’s undergraduate committee and approval of the faculty. A minor is declared when applying for the B.A. degree.

Master’s Program (M.A. in Religious Studies)
The M.A. is designed for students who wish to advance and deepen their understanding of religion. The degree may be taken with or without thesis. The degree requires 30 semester hours of graduate work in religion, 24 of which must be taken at Iowa. The Master’s Program is very flexible and student-friendly. Students work with a faculty committee of three members and may design the program to suit their interests.

Doctoral Program (Ph.D. in Religious Studies)
The doctoral program prepares a select number of students to become specialists in the study and teaching of religion. The program is offered in three areas:

• Modern Religious Thought: Theology, Philosophy, Ethics, and Culture
• Historical Religious Traditions
• Religion and Culture in Asia

The Ph.D. requires 72 semester hours of course work, 24 of which may be transferred from an accredited graduate school.

All of the programs place religion in a broad intellectual and cultural context; have a substantial methodological dimension; and develop valuable research skills.

Page last updated on 7/08