MA in Religious Studies at Naropa University
The MA in Religious Studies is a 45-credit degree program especially designed for the non-Buddhist student who wishes to join the study of comparative religions with related contemplative practices and interreligious dialogue.
Departmental course offerings on the graduate level examine the phenomenon of religion as it affects individuals, as it operates in culture and as it addresses questions of life’s ultimate values.
While there is a wide array of courses in Buddhism in departmental offerings, courses in the other major world religions are represented, all with a balanced emphasis upon study and contemplative practice. The methods applied on both the undergraduate and graduate levels draw from the academic disciplines of history of religions and theology, and from a commitment to presenting traditions from perspectives sympathetic to the living religious communities themselves.
This approach honors the distinctive place of contemplative traditions and practices, especially those of Buddhism, within many of the world’s great religions.
Contemplative experience and training are found in many of the world’s great spiritual traditions. Students who select the MA in Religious Studies examine the mystical and meditative dimensions of many traditions, integrating academic study and personal investigation.
Building on the foundation of clear methodology in Religious Studies, courses in this degree program explore these religions with the help of faculty members who are both academically trained and spiritually practiced in their respective traditions. In addition, students are trained in interreligious dialogue as an avenue to communicate across religious differences in an environment of global pluralism.
Tags: academic disciplines, balanced emphasis, comparative religions, contemplative experience, contemplative practice, contemplative practices, contemplative traditions, credit degree program, departmental course offerings, departmental offerings, disciplines of history, distinctive place, global pluralism, history of religions, major world religions, naropa university, personal investigation, phenomenon of religion, religious studies courses, spiritual traditions
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Related Programs
Scholarships
Naropa University is pleased to offer a variety of scholarships at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. We understand the economic strain that a university education represents to a student. To address this concern, we are continually adding new scholarship opportunities. At this point we are happy to offer a wide range of scholarships to students at many different levels. These scholarships help ease the financial burden of higher education and offer a unique financial opportunity to students of diverse backgrounds and economic needs. Each scholarship is unique in its eligibility and application requirements. Please see the Graduate Scholarship
Through the 36-credit Religious Studies major, students explore religion in a variety of ways, with an emphasis upon the expression of historical traditions in contemporary life. Special emphasis is placed upon the role of contemplative practice in the world's great religions, especially Buddhism. All students must take a series of 18 credits that introduce the study of religion, Buddhist meditation practice and an introductory study of three different religious traditions. The additional 18 credits may be selected from core areas of study: contemporary issues in religion, contemplative practice, Buddhism or study abroad.
The department also offers a Minor in Religious Studies
The Department of Religious Studies offers five graduate degrees:
The MA in Religious Studies (45 credits) is especially designed for the student who wishes study comparative religions, their related contemplative practices and interreligious dialogue. Students develop literacy in the living practice traditions of world religions, with a special emphasis on dialogue skills and an appreciation for religious pluralism. Graduates of this program will be especially suited for higher degree studies in religion, as well as teachers within their respective faith communities, and secondary school teachers in the humanities.
The MA in Religious Studies with Language (61 credits) includes all the course
This 61-credit MA in Religious Studies with Language degree includes all the course work of the MA in Religious Studies degree plus training in either Sanskrit or Tibetan through two years (16 credits) of course work or more. This degree is recommended for students without previous language study interested in pursuing further academic work in the field of Religious Studies or students with a special academic interest related to studying either language.
Sanskrit
The lingua franca of Buddhism, Sanskrit stood close to the spoken tongue of the Buddha himself; it was the idiom of Indian Buddhist texts, and it functioned as the
MA in Religious Studies with Language
This 61-credit MA in Religious Studies with Language degree includes all the course work of the MA in Religious Studies degree plus training in either Sanskrit or Tibetan through two years (16 credits) of course work or more. This degree is recommended for students without previous language study interested in pursuing further academic work in the field of Religious Studies or students with a special academic interest related to studying either language.
Sanskrit
The lingua franca of Buddhism, Sanskrit stood close to the spoken tongue of the Buddha himself; it was the idiom of Indian Buddhist texts,
The MA in Religious Studies is a 45-credit degree program especially designed for the non-Buddhist student who wishes to join the study of comparative religions with related contemplative practices and interreligious dialogue.
Departmental course offerings on the graduate level examine the phenomenon of religion as it affects individuals, as it operates in culture and as it addresses questions of life’s ultimate values.
While there is a wide array of courses in Buddhism in departmental offerings, courses in the other major world religions are represented, all with a balanced emphasis upon study and contemplative practice. The methods applied on both the undergraduate and
The 78-credit Master of Divinity (MDiv) degree prepares people for professional work in the fields of pastoral care, Buddhist chaplaincy and/or interfaith chaplaincy, dharma teaching and community development. This three-year program is firmly grounded in Buddhist Studies concerning both its philosophy and its practice of meditation practice, and strongly emphasizes an interreligious approach to individual and community care, and a pluralistic view of working with life and diversity.
Having a genuine interest in studying the Buddhist path is required, though identifying oneself as a Buddhist is not.
The Master of Divinity is a professional degree for employment in the larger field of
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