Doctoral Program

The Department of Religious Studies' doctoral program prepares a select number of students to become specialists in the study and teaching of religion.

The Department’s program emphasizes the study of religion in its broader cultural and historical contexts, and encourages the development of methodological acumen. Doctoral students acquire the research and pedagogical skills necessary to undergird effective teaching, and are given ample opportunity to practice those skills.

Training in methodology and a range of approaches to the study of religion are provided in the course Methods and Theories in the Study of Religion, in courses co-taught by faculty from different areas, and in courses offered in other departments.

Research skills are developed through the writing of seminar papers. Each area of study requires competence in the languages needed to read original sources and secondary scholarship.

The department offers three focal areas: Modern Religious Thought: Theology, Philosophy, Ethics, and Culture; Historical Religious Traditions; and Religion and Culture in Asia.

Requirements

Doctor of Philosophy

The Ph.D. requires 72 semester hours of course work, 24 of which may be transferred from an accredited graduate school. Formal admission into Ph.D. candidacy occurs during the student’s fourth semester of residency if the following conditions are met:

1. Completion of three of the following required courses: Methods and Theories in the Study of Religion (32:205), Asian Religious Traditions (32:202), Western Religious Traditions (32:203), and Teaching Religious Studies (32:201)
2. Evidence of the ability to write scholarly papers
3. A cumulative Iowa grade-point average of at least 3.4
4. Satisfactory progress toward the language requirements of the individual’s program
5. Submission of a plan of study

Course requirements vary in the different areas of concentration; however, all students must take at least four graduate seminars.

Following admission to candidacy, doctoral candidates:  a) prepare for and pass a set of comprehensive examinations based on bibliographies that cover their foci within each area; and b) write a dissertation based on original research.

The dissertation may count for up to 12 semester hours of credit.  Students may apply to receive the M.A. degree after they have completed 30 semester hours of course work and successfully passed their comprehensive examinations.

Click here to view a Ph.D. Sample Timetable

For More Information:

Admission and Financial Aid

Graduate College Admissions
Review the University of Iowa Graduate College web site.

Graduate Student Organization
Review the RGSO web site.

General inquiries about the Department of Religious Studies:
319-335-2164 [telephone]
319-335-3716 [fax]
religion@uiowa.edu

More specific inquiries about graduate study:
Director of Graduate Studies
Department of Religious Studies
Professor Morten Schlütter