Religious Studies (Ph.D.)

Offered by: Religious Studies (Faculty of Arts)    
Degree: Doctor of Philosophy

Program Description

The Ph.D. in Religious Studies focuses on research engagement with a broad spectrum of critical research involving different interdisciplinary approaches, research and teaching in the various different religious traditions.

Note: For information about Fall 2025 and Winter 2026 course offerings, please check back on May 8, 2025. Until then, the "Terms offered" field will appear blank for most courses while the class schedule is being finalized.

Thesis

A thesis for the doctoral degree must constitute original scholarship and must be a distinct contribution to knowledge. It must show familiarity with previous work in the field and must demonstrate ability to plan and carry out research, organize results, and defend the approach and conclusions in a scholarly manner. The research presented must meet current standards of the discipline; as well, the thesis must clearly demonstrate how the research advances knowledge in the field. Finally, the thesis must be written in compliance with norms for academic and scholarly expression and for publication in the public domain.

Required Courses

Candidates admitted to Ph.D. 1 take a minimum of six graduate seminars during their first year and four seminars during their Ph.D. 2 year; those admitted to Ph.D. 2 must take a minimum of four graduate seminars. If possible, two seminars should be in their area of specialization, and at least one should be at the 700 level.

Language Requirements

Students are required to give their area committee evidence of reading knowledge of two languages other than English. These languages must be chosen from modern languages in which there is a significant amount of scholarship relevant to the student's area of research, or from classical languages relevant to the student's area of research.

Research in some disciplines, or on certain thesis topics, may require proficiency in more than two languages besides English. In that case, additional language requirements may be stipulated by the supervisor.

Doctoral Colloquium

As one of their requirements, all Ph.D. students in residence shall attend the monthly graduate colloquium, at which time a student's thesis project is formally presented and discussed. Each student is required to present an aspect of his or her thesis research to a meeting of the Doktorklub before the thesis is submitted.