Religious Studies Graduate Program

The study of religion being an inherently interdisciplinary field, the Department faculty shares synergies with colleagues and programs across the campus that enable students to seek specialized training in a diversity of regions, cultures, and approaches to the study of religion. Our faculty is committed to help you articulate the intellectual and professional objectives that have brought you to the study of religion, and to acquire the training to see these goals to fruition. The Department of Religious Studies at KU is also in the unusual and fortunate position of being able to provide substantial financial support for students seeking the MA degree.

• Academic and financial support
• Opportunities to participate in ground-breaking research
• Individual attention and faculty mentorship
• Wide-range of area studies and cross-unit collaboration

MA program requirements are available in the Academic Catalog. The Religious Studies Graduate Program Student Handbook is available upon request.

The Graduate Certificate in Religious Studies is designed to provide you with a solid grounding in the academic study of religion, including exposure to key theoretical and methodological issues within the interdisciplinary field of Religious Studies. The certificate program enables you to integrate Religious Studies methodologies, as well as deeper knowledge of particular religious traditions, into your own academic interests or professional training.

The certificate enhances the qualifications of students seeking careers in:

• Research and teaching
• Journalism
• The nonprofit sector
• Government
• The arts
• Any other field in which understanding the breadth of human cultural diversity is useful.

Enrollment in the program is open to students admitted to a regular KU graduate program as well as students who are not currently enrolled at KU.

Students with a completed Bachelor’s degree who have demonstrated academic competence and wish to take an upcoming graduate-level course in Religious Studies may apply as a non-degree seeking (NDS) student. Students studying abroad at KU are welcome to apply. 

• Undergraduate prerequisite course completion is typically necessary to succeed in graduate-level coursework.
• If you intend to enroll in coursework via NDS status for non-graduate study pursuits and personal interests, please specify what courses you would like to complete in the department in the personal statement.

Not all courses may be open to NDS students; please contact our graduate program coordinator before applying.