Academic Programs
The Department of Religious Studies offers academic programs at three degree levels. All of the programs place religion in a broad intellectual and cultural context; have a substantial methodological dimension; and develop valuable research skills. These brief descriptions link into pages with more specific information about the programs.
Undergraduate Minor
A minor in religious studies requires 15 semester hours (s.h.) of credit in religious studies courses with a GPA 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.
Click here for more information on a Religion Minor.
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.
Click here for more information on a Religion Major.
Master's Program (M.A. in Religious Studies)
The M.A. degree is designed for students who wish to advance and deepen their understanding of religion. The degree may be taken with or without thesis. An M.A. requires 30 semester hours of graduate work in religion, 24 of which must be taken at Iowa. Requirements for languages and other research tools vary according to the focus of study. Students must pass an M.A. examination that tests their competence in course work completed. The M.A. degree is highly flexible according to student interests; M.A. students are supervised by the three-person faculty committee.
In the M.A. thesis, students show and refine their skills in research and writing. The thesis may count for six of the 30 semester hours.
Click here for more information on the M.A. program.
Doctoral Program (Ph.D. in Religious Studies)
The Ph.D. degree trains scholars in various areas of religious studies according to faculty expertise and provides rich experiences in the classroom for future teachers. The Ph.D. requires 72 semester hours of course work, 24 of which may potentially be transferred from an accredited graduate school. Ph.D. students work closely together with an academic advisor and are further supported by a three-person advisory committee.
All graduate students take four required courses that place the world’s major religions within broad intellectual and cultural contexts, provide basic training in methodology and develop valuable research skills. The four required courses are: 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) (optional for M.A. students).
Click here for more information on the Ph.D. program.