MA Religious Studies at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Programme overview

The Graduate School of the University offers two degrees in religious studies: the master of arts and the doctor of philosophy. All students are admitted to the doctoral program and requirements depend on whether the entering student has been awarded a master’s degree in religious studies or an affiliated discipline prior to matriculating at UNC. The Department of Religious Studies also sponsors the joint Duke–UNC Graduate Certificate in Middle East Studies. The Ph.D. program is primarily intended to prepare students for a career in university and college teaching and research in religious studies.

Faculty: College of Arts and Sciences | Department: Religious Studies | Study mode: full-time | Location: Chapel Hill, NC, United States

What you will study

Those who enter with an M.A. from another institution should expect to take at least 36 hours of course work. Students who complete their M.A. in our department and continue with doctoral work complete another 18 hours of coursework plus the requirements below.

Career pathways

The Ph.D. program is primarily intended to prepare students for a career in university and college teaching and research in religious studies.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Graduate School minimum (applies to all graduate programmes): a four-year bachelor's degree (or international equivalent) from an accredited institution completed before graduate study begins and a cumulative GPA of 3.0 (B) or better; application via the Graduate School online application with transcripts, three recommendation letters, statement of purpose and CV, plus any programme-specific tests/materials; international applicants add a TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo English Test score; admission decisions are made by each programme.

Tuition is charged per credit, so the total depends on the modules you register for each year. Current fees are listed in the official fee schedule.

Graduate applicants apply for a start term; fall is the main start term. Very few programmes admit new students for spring or summer terms.

Graduate applications and payment must be received by the deadline of the academic programme applied to, which varies by programme; the application closes at 11:59pm Eastern Time on the deadline date. The Graduate School recommends complete applications by December 15, 2026 for full fellowship consideration. The GRE is not required for the Master of Applied Professional Studies.

Apply through the official page: https://gradschool.unc.edu/admissions/instructions/

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