Religion Degrees Online

Admissions Requirements
The Area requires a clear and focused statement of academic purpose, specifying a field for which the GTU has appropriate faculty resources and the student has appropriate academic background and basic language preparation.

Diagnostic Instrument
At the outset of doctoral work, the student will submit a written Draft Academic Plan, which specifies prior background, career goals, and specific interests. This plan will be used as an advising tool, and will be critically analyzed and developed during the required Area seminar.

Language Requirements
The Area requires two foreign languages, at least one a modern research language (e.g. French, German, Japanese). The second language might be a classical language, a field language, or a second research language. The languages are presented to the Area as a written language proposal, framed by student and advisor, and approved by the entire Area, and then certified following the GTU’s procedures. At least one modern foreign language must be certified before the student moves on to comprehensive exams; classical or field languages may be certified later, prior to proposing the dissertation, if the advisor agrees a specific language is not necessary for the comprehensives.

The academic study of religion introduces students to the depth and richness of religious thought, texts, ritual, spiritual practice, moral and cultural values, and social institutions found in the major religious traditions of humankind. These phenomena are examined from a wide variety of disciplinary perspectives — historical, literary, philosophical, theological and social scientific. Thus, the study of religion is an important component of a liberal arts education.

Courses are intended to acquaint students with the historical development and contemporary expressions of one or more traditions, as well as the ways in which religious traditions shape and/or reflect cultures past and present, and to develop students’ analytical and critical skills. Tutorial reading courses and independent study projects allow students to pursue particular interests with faculty guidance.

The major and minor are designed to serve as focus of a liberal arts education for students with diverse career goals and as a foundation for those planning to continue the study of religion in a professional or graduate program.

Admission Requirements
Applicants must submit the Graduate College online application. To be eligible for admission to the graduate program in religious studies, an applicant must submit the following:

Test scores from the GRE.
Evidence of having completed the equivalent of 15 hours of undergraduate work in the study of religions, including advanced courses in both Western and Asian or other non-Western religions. Students without the necessary background in religious studies may remove deficiencies by taking additional specified courses (which may or may not count toward the fulfillment of degree requirements) at the beginning of their program of study.

Three academic letters of reference to be sent to the graduate coordinator of the department.
A statement of purpose of approximately 1,000 words outlining the academic background, career goals and specific area of interest in religious studies in relation to fields offered by the faculty, to be sent to the graduate coordinator of the department.

Through a wide variety of course offerings and assistance with internships, the Religion Program seeks to fulfill several goals. The first is to acquaint students with the interpretations of religious belief and practice offered by the world’s major religious traditions, especially the Judaic and Christian traditions. A second goal is to develop students’ ability to reflect critically and independently on these traditions, to gather and interpret research materials, and to articulate their ideas well. A third goal is to encourage students to contribute to society after graduation through participation and leadership in professional, religious, and civic organizations. A final aim is to prepare religion majors for graduate and professional programs in religious studies or theology if their career goals require additional study.

The Master of Arts in Religious Studies at UDM has been designed to meet the need for advanced studies of religion in the Detroit / Southeast Michigan area. The program welcomes students from various traditions and backgrounds and with differing career goals. It offers graduate education that requires and develops personal insight, scholarly research and critical analysis in areas of religious and theological inquiry. The program offers four major areas of concentration:

Biblical Studies
Theology and Spirituality
Comparative Religions
Religion and Culture/Ethics

Each student is assigned a faculty advisor to help design a program which best meets his/her professional and intellectual interests and needs. The program must include an area of concentration as well as representative courses from each of the other three areas. In consultation with an advisor, the student may take graduate courses in other disciplines (e.g. Psychology, Liberal Studies) which will meet particular academic needs and interests.

e study of Philosophy and Religion develops the skills of critical analysis at the most fundamental levels of human understanding. Students trained in philosophy and religion have pursued careers in teaching, ministry, law, medicine, management, publishing, sales, criminal justice and other fields.

Students may concentrate in either subject depending on career goals or interests.

Generally, minor programs require a total of 18 semester hours. Students select from one of three minors.

Minor in Philosophy and Religion
Select 18 Semester Hours in PHIL & RELG Courses
PHIL 201 3
RELG 201 3

Elect 12 hours from any PHIL/RELG course (6 hours must be over 299) 12

Minor in Philosophy
Select 18 Semester Hours in PHIL
PHIL 201 3
PHIL 220 or PHIL 225 3

PHIL 301 or PHIL 302 3
Elect 9 hours from any PHIL course (6 hours must be over 299) 9

Minor in Religion
Select 18 Semester Hours in RELG
RELG 201 3
RELG 220 3
RELG 300 3

Elect 9 hours from any RELG course (6 hours must be over 299) 9

The study of Philosophy and Religion develops the skills of critical analysis at the most fundamental levels of human understanding. Students trained in philosophy and religion have pursued careers in teaching, ministry, law, medicine, management, publishing, sales, criminal justice and other fields.

Students may concentrate in either subject depending on career goals. Those planning graduate study in philosophy or religious studies would select the appropriate concentration.

The major program requires a total of 36 semester hours, including a required program of 18 hours and selection of 18 hours from one of three tracks.

The academic study of religion introduces students to the depth and richness of religious thought, texts, ritual, spiritual practice, moral and cultural values, and social institutions found in the major religious traditions of humankind. These phenomena are examined from a wide variety of disciplinary perspectives — historical, literary, philosophical, theological and social scientific. Thus, the study of religion is an important component of a liberal arts education.

Courses are intended to acquaint students with the historical development and contemporary expressions of one or more traditions, as well as the ways in which religious traditions shape and/or reflect cultures past and present, and to develop students’ analytical and critical skills. Tutorial reading courses and independent study projects allow students to pursue particular interests with faculty guidance.

The major and minor are designed to serve as focus of a liberal arts education for students with diverse career goals and as a foundation for those planning to continue the study of religion in a professional or graduate program.