Graduate Bulletin
Religion, M.A.
Concentration: Religion, Values and Global Cultures
COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS
Admission Requirements and Deadlines
Application Deadline:
Fall: January 15
Applications are processed together after the deadline.
Letters of Reference:
Number Required: 3
From Whom: Former instructors or academic persons who know the applicant.
Coursework Required for Admission Consideration:
None required. We invite applicants to consult with Graduate Director regarding specific academic preparation.
Bachelor's Degree in Discipline/Related Discipline:
Yes. Most disciplines in Liberal Arts. Applicants with no Liberal Arts background should consult with Graduate Director.
Statement of Goals:
Statement of Goals must be 2-3 pages in length, and describe the student's background and specific interests and reasons for pursuing an M.A. in Religion. Student must also demonstrate knowledge of the scope and limits of the Religion Dept.'s offering and outlook.
Standardized Test Scores:
The GRE is required. 1200-1600 verbal and quantitative. We weigh the verbal score more heavily than the quantitative.
Minimum TOEFL score or range of scores needed to be accepted:
250 CBT or 600 paper-based
Resume:
A resume is required.
Transfer Credit:
Courses that are compatible with the offerings at Temple's Religion Department, from an accredited institution, and graded "B" or better. The maximum number of credits a student may transfer is 6.
Test Waivers:
We waive GREs for international students whose native language is not English. We require them to take TOEFL and score 600 or better instead.
Program Requirements
Campus Location:
Main Campus
Full-Time/Part-Time Status:
Students are able to complete the degree program through classes offered before and after 4:30 p.m.
General Program Requirements:
Number of Didactic Credits Required Beyond the Baccalaureate: 30
Required Courses:
On either track, and on both options, students take at least 12 credits in relevant Foundations courses, 12 credits in relevant Seminars and/or Independent Study, and 6 additional credits. Three to 6 credits of this work normally will be taken in graduate courses outside the Department in a cognate field at Temple University. Up to 6 credits may be transferred from approved graduate study elsewhere if relevant to the student's program and graded B or better. No later than at the completion of their first 18 cr. hours of course work in either track the student must choose either the thesis or portfolio option as well as an adviser for the final project. This choice must be approved by the Graduate Studies Committee. The adviser will have primary responsibility for supervising the student's work for the remainder of the program and will be the primary reader of the thesis or portfolio.
I. Thesis Option Recommended for, but not limited to, students intending to apply to a doctoral program or planning to teach at the college level. The student must satisfy the following requirements, totaling 30 credit hours: 12 credits in relevant Foundations courses; 12 credits in relevant Seminars and/or Independent Study; and 6 additional credits, of which one 3 credit seminar should be, and as many as two 3 credit seminars may be, taken outside Religion in a cognate field at Temple. Of the above credits, 6 must be in a 3-credit Independent Study that prepares the student to register the following term for a 3-credit M.A. thesis project prepared under the direction of a thesis advisor. Reading knowledge of a language relevant to the thesis topic is normally required. Oral defense of thesis II. Portfolio Option. Recommended for students to augment their primary area of experience and professional training in fields other than Religion.
Internship: No internship is required.
Language Examination: Yes, a language examination is required. Reading knowledge of a language relevant to the area of focus is normally required. However, at the discretion of the student's supervisory committee, this requirement will be waived who are planning to do graduate work that does not require foreign language proficiency.
Culminating Events:
This program has no culminating events.
Contacts
Program Contact Information:
www.temple.edu/religion/
Department Information:
Dept. of Religion
Anderson Hall, 6th floor
1114 W. Berks St.
Philadelphia, PA 19122-6090
janrel@temple.edu
215-204-7210
Department Contacts:
Admissions:
Janice Anthony
janrel@temple.edu
215-204-7210
Program Coordinator:
Khalid Blankinship
Khalid.Blankin@temple.edu
215-204-7210
Graduate Chairperson:
Khalid Blankinship
Khalid.Blankin@temple.edu
215-204-5543
Chairperson:
Rebecca Alpert
ralpert@temple.edu
215-204-7712
About the Program
The Department of Religion at Temple University offers a 30-credit Masters Program designed for the following students. For those seeking to qualify for the Ph.D. program at Temple University or other leading universities, it offers intensive training in research methods and in special fields of concentration in religion studies. (Note: Admission to the Temple Ph.D. program will require a separate application, and the completion of qualifying examinations not required for the Masters degree.) For those who plan to teach religious studies subject matters in community colleges or high schools, it provides advanced training in methods of research and in-depth study of the world's major religious traditions. For those in various forms of religious ministry who wish further, post-graduate training and exposure to the newest research methods and developments in understanding of their own or other religious and cultural traditions. For those who wish to bring cultural and cross/cultural analytical tools to professions such as business, social work, medicine, government, and journalism, it provides additional training in research methods and graduate-level study in the major world religious and cultural traditions. For qualified persons in the general public, it allows the opportunity to acquire competence in the study of religions, values, and cultures broadly defined, and in areas of special interest to the student.
Time Limit for Degree Completion: 3 years
Campus Location:
Main Campus
Students are able to complete the degree program through classes offered before and after 4:30 p.m. Students are able to complete the degree program on a part-time basis (8 credit hours or less per semester).
Department Information:
Dept. of Religion
Anderson Hall, 6th floor
1114 W. Berks St.
Philadelphia, PA 19122-6090
janrel@temple.edu
215-204-7210
Ranking:
Religion programs are not ranked.
Accreditation:
Not applicable.
Areas of Specialization:
The M.A. program offers two tracks: Religion, Values and Public Life, or Religion, Values and Global Cultures. In each track the student has two options: a Thesis option or a Portfolio option. Track I. M.A. in Religion, Values and Public Life This track is built around our Foundations seminars in the social-science, historical, and philosophical methods of study in the field of Religion, together with Advanced seminars in various areas of the interaction of religion and values in public life such as interfaith dialogue, religion and ethics, race/gender/sexuality and religion, and religion and the political process. Students taking courses in this track may also take courses on related topics in world religions. Track II. M.A. in Religion, Values and Global Cultures This track is built around our Foundations seminars in the world's religious traditions, together with Advanced seminars that permit further study in various Western and Asian religious and values traditions relevant to the student's area of concentration. Students may also take courses from the other track if they draw on materials from one of these religious traditions. Note: Upon entering the program, students choose the track they wish to follow. While admission requirements and procedures are identical, requirements for the degree vary, as indicated below.
Job Placement:
See Section 1 "Mission." We see this as enhancement
of knowledge about religion for those already
employed in various professional capacities,
or as foundation for pursuit of a Ph.D. degree
elsewhere.
Affiliation(s):
Not applicable.
Interdisciplinary Study:
Not applicable.
Study Abroad:
No.
Licensure:
Not applicable.
Non-Degree Student Policy:
Non-matriculated students may complete three graduate courses before being admitted into the degree program.
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