205
Graduate Programs
205.69
Religious Studies
205.69 Religious Studies
Office of Interdisciplinary Studies
1-17 Humanities Centre
Faculty of Arts
University of Alberta
Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2E5
E-mail: ois@ualberta.ca
General Information
The Religious Studies program is an interdisciplinary program within the Office of Interdisciplinary Studies and offers programs leading to the degrees of Master of Arts and Doctor of Philosophy.
Entrance Requirements
The minimum admission requirements are an undergraduate degree with an average of at least 3.1 in the last two years of undergraduate work (or graduate work) at the University of Alberta or an equivalent qualification from a recognized institution, and a TOEFL score of 580 (paper-based) or 92 (internet-based) where applicable (see §203.2.4).
Financial Assistance
Religious Studies annually awards a number of scholarships or graduate research and teaching assistantships. Scholarships and assistantships will not be offered to any student until the student has been formally admitted to the graduate program. Graduate students may apply for various University Fellowships and Bursaries depending on eligibility. For details see www.gradstudies.ualberta.ca.
205.69.1 The Degree of MA in Religious Studies
Students admitted to this program are expected to have a BA in Religious Studies or the equivalent (
30 in Religious Studies courses beyond the 100-level). Students who satisfy this requirement and who wish to complete a master's degree will be required to take 18 in graduate courses in Religious Studies or in courses relevant to their particular focus and write and defend a thesis in the area of Religious Studies. Students are also required to demonstrate reading competence in a language relevant to their proposed area of research.
Students admitted with less than the above prerequisites or who are deemed to be lacking courses in relevant areas will be required to take a qualifying term or a qualifying year. The need for a qualifying term or year and the exact amount of additional courses will be determined by the graduate committee on an individual basis.
Length of Program
The normal time for completion of course work is one year, with a further year for completion of the thesis.
205.69.2 The Degree of PhD in Religious Studies
Program Requirements
Students in the PhD program are required to take one course on theory, normally RELIG 575 (3); one 3 course in the candidate's area of specialization as determined by the supervisory committee; any other courses as determined by the supervisory committee in consultation with the student, normally up to a maximum of five (15); language courses up to the appropriate level necessary for the completion of the thesis, as determined by the supervisory committee in consultation with the student; and the doctoral seminar, RELIG 675, in which students will share and develop research methodologies. On completion of course work, students will be required to pass the candidacy examination. All doctoral candidates must also prepare and defend a thesis of high calibre on an approved topic.
The minimum period of residence is two academic years of full-time attendance at the University of Alberta.
Length of Program
The time required to complete the PhD will vary according to the candidate's background and progress; however a minimum of four years should be expected. Candidates must complete the program within six years.
205.69.3 Graduate Courses
Graduate courses can be found in §231, Course Listings, under the subject heading Religious Studies (RELIG).
