MA Religion at Columbia University

Programme overview

The free-standing MA in Religion is a cooperative programme of the Departments of Religion at Columbia, Barnard College and Union Theological Seminary, studying the history, literature, theory and functions of religion across societies and cultures. It can be completed full-time or part-time.

Faculty: Graduate School of Arts and Sciences | Department: Department of Religion (with Barnard College and Union Theological Seminary) | Duration: 2-3 semesters full-time; up to 8 semesters part-time | Intake: Fall (deadline 6 May 2027; early 18 March 2027) and Spring (deadline 29 October 2026) | Study mode: full-time / part-time | Location: New York, NY, United States

What you will study

Fields of study are Buddhism, Christianity, East Asian Religions, Islam, Judaism, North American Religions, Philosophy of Religion and South Asian Religions. Students gain advanced training in a field plus knowledge of major religious traditions and methods in the study of religion. Full-time students finish in two or three semesters.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution (or international equivalent) showing capacity for high-quality graduate work, with language study as needed and broad liberal arts work in history, literature, philosophy and social sciences. Statement of academic purpose, personal statement, resume, writing sample of 15-20 pages, three letters of recommendation from academic sources, transcripts. GRE General not required. International applicants whose undergraduate degree is from an institution in a country where English is not the official language submit TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo English Test scores. Fall deadline 6 May 2027; early deadline 18 March 2027; spring deadline 29 October 2026.

Intake: Fall (deadline 6 May 2027; early 18 March 2027) and Spring (deadline 29 October 2026)

Duration: 2-3 semesters full-time; up to 8 semesters part-time

Apply through the official page: https://www.gsas.columbia.edu/content/prospective-students

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