Our Master of Arts in Religious Studies program offers a unique interdisciplinary approach, focusing on how religious traditions influence contemporary global issues. You'll study a variety of religions, gaining diverse perspectives and critical theory insights.
This program helps you understand the connections between religion and issues within fields such as politics, media, or journalism through cross-disciplinary conversations. Our faculty are active scholars who provide practical knowledge as well as cross-cultural analytical tools. You can tailor your education by choosing from five areas of specialization and four degree-completion options: a master's thesis, a publishable journal article, a creative project, or comprehensive examinations.
Designed to support both career advancement and academic research, this program prepares you for doctoral studies or professional roles. Choose from our fully online program or our on-campus program.
Start Dates: Fall, Winter, or Spring
Curriculum: 45 Credit Hours
Program Length: 2 Years
2 Modality options: on-campus or fully online
54% Merit scholarship awarded to all admitted students
5 Concentration areas to choose from
Master's in Religious Studies
Gain career-ready skills in our religious studies program
Ground yourself in the liberal arts
Study under faculty with expertise in philosophy, history, art, gender studies, and many other disciplines.
Engage in flexible projects
Many courses offer alternatives to traditional papers, such as creating podcasts or writing blogs—enhancing post-grad skills.
Complete a capstone project
Demonstrate your knowledge through a capstone project, an alternative to a traditional research thesis.
Work directly with research professors
Benefit from our smaller department by partnering directly with faculty for hands-on research experience.
Request for Information
Application Information
Complete Your Degree On Campus or Online
On Campus
Five choices for specialization
Choose from five areas of specialization: Critical Theory, Religion and International Studies, Lived Religions, Sacred Texts, or Philosophy of Religion.
-
Low student-to-teacher ratio
Engage in a smaller classroom environment that fosters discussion on course topics.
-
Participate in internships
We have established internship placements in nonprofit, faith-based, educational, community action, and nongovernmental entities in the Denver area.
Online
Two choices for specialization
Pursue a specialization in Critical Theory or Lived Religions
-
Learn in a synchronous online classroom
Students take two synchronous lecture courses over Zoom each quarter. Classes are held two evenings a week and are limited to Tuesday-Thursday, accommodating full-time workers while fostering live interaction with classmates.
-
Eligibility for Work-Study Positions
Students in the online program are also eligible for the same funding opportunities as their in-person colleagues, including work-study positions.
Course Requirements
- RLGS 3760 Globalization and Religion: Theory and Methods
Select three of the following—two from the Abrahamic Traditions and one from the Asian Traditions—for a total of 12 credit hours.
- RLGS 3814 - Modern Hinduism
- RLGS 3820 - Buddhism
- RLGS 3001 - Judaism or RLGS 3102 - Early Judaism
- RLGS 3203 - Christianity or RLGS 3192 - Christian Literature
- RLGS 3500 - Islam or RLGS 3503 - Quran and Hadith
Elective Credit – 13 Credit Hours
Critical Theory
Critical Theory integrates various disciplines within the social sciences and humanities. It draws from the original post-WWII discourse of the Frankfurt School and the interdisciplinary scope of "new critical theory." This approach examines religion through lenses such as class, race, gender, ethnicity, politics, globalization, and decolonialization.
- RLGS 3453 - Is God a Racist Sexist?: Black Liberation and Womanist Theology
- RLGS 3454 - Capitalism, Religion, Democracy
- RLGS 3570 - Religion and Morality in the American Public Square
- RLGS 3740 - Bodies and Souls
- RLGS 3732 - Feminist and Queer Theory in Religion
- RLGS 3370 - Freud, Psychology, and Religion
- RLGS 3452 - Political Theology
- RLGS 3645 - Religious Nationalisms: A Comparative Approach to White Christian Nationalism and Hindu Nationalism
Religion and International Studies
The specialization in Religion and International Studies examines the role of religion in the interaction between different religions and cultures globally. Focus may be given to specific regions such as the Americas, Asia, or the Middle East, based on faculty expertise and student interest.
- RLGS 3302 - Islamic Fundamentalism
- RLGS 3890 - Religion and Diaspora
- RLGS 3893 - Buddhism and Social Justice
- RLGS 3814 - Modern Hinduism
- INTS 4011 - Comparative Genocide
- INTS 4525 - Religion-State Relations in Comparative Perspectives
- INTS 4517 - Politics of Deeply Divided Societies
- INTS 4526 - Modern Islamic Political Thought
- INTS 4649 - Human Rights and the Middle East
Lived Religions
The Lived Religions specialization focuses on the practice of religions and activities that originated in religious traditions but may now be detached from them, such as meditation and dietary practices. Courses cover the historical, social, and cultural forms and practices of various religions, including new, Indigenous, Latino/a, and African diasporic religions.
- RLGS 3001 - Judaism
- RLGS 3203 - Christianity
- RLGS 3500 - Islam
- RLGS 3814 - Modern Hinduism
- RLGS 3820 - Buddhism
- RLGS 3502 - Contemporary Islam
- RLGS 3102 - Early Judaism
- RLGS 3300 - Psychology of Religion
Sacred Texts
The Sacred Texts specialization delves into biblical texts and religious traditions, including the Hebrew Bible, Christian Testament, and the Qur'an. Students can choose to focus on one religious text, requiring proficiency in the relevant language(s), or adopt a comparative approach. The following coursework for this specialization fulfills the required 16 credit hours.
- RLGS 3150 - The Bible and Dead Sea Scrolls
- RLGS 3151 - Dead Sea Scrolls
- RLGS 3192 - Christian Literature
- RLGS 3503 - Quran and Hadith
- RLGS 3740 - Bodies and Souls
Philosophy of Religion
Students specializing in Philosophy of Religion can take courses in both the Religious Studies and Philosophy departments. The curriculum covers philosophical periods from Ancient to Modern (Plato to Kant) and Late Modern to Postmodern (Hegel to present). The following coursework fulfills the requirements for this specialization.
- RLGS 3023 - Great Thinkers: Maimonides
- RLGS 3192 - Christian Literature
- RLGS 3370 - Freud, Psychology, and Religion
- RLGS 3452 - Political Theology
- RLGS 3460 - Nietzsche and the Death of God
- RLGS 3465 - Derrida and Postmodernism
- RLGS 3475 - Deleuze and Semiotics
Careers With an MA in Religious Studies
Our MA in Religious Studies program is grounded in liberal arts education, equipping you with critical thinking and communication skills essential for success in various fields. Whether you aim to pursue a career in journalism, social work, or academia, this program prepares you for teaching and research roles. Many of our graduates go on to lead non profits, influence public policy, engage in politics, and excel in private industry.
Get Started on Your MA in Religious Studies
Apply to the MA in Religious Studies from the University of Denver’s College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Studies