M.A. Religious Studies at University of South Florida

Programme overview

The M.A. in Religious Studies lets students with backgrounds in the scholarly study of religion deepen their knowledge of the social, cultural, intellectual and historical contexts of religion and of particular traditions. Research areas include Biblical Studies, Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism, Daoism, Hinduism, African and African-American religion and Religion in Culture and Society.

Faculty: College of Arts and Sciences | Department: Religious Studies | Duration: 30 credit hours | Study mode: full-time | Location: Tampa, FL, United States

What you will study

The 30 credit hours include a 6-credit core (Theory and Methods in Religious Studies; Religion, Culture, and Society), 12 credits in Abrahamic and non-Abrahamic traditions (six each), at least 6 elective credits, and either a 6-credit thesis or 6 additional elective credits (non-thesis). Students pass a written comprehensive exam.

Career pathways

Careers in education, journalism, law, business, politics, social work and health professions; preparation for doctoral study in religious studies.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Religious Studies M.A.: three letters of recommendation; a writing sample; a personal statement (1-3 pages, double-spaced); GRE required with no minimum specified. Applicants must also meet University of South Florida graduate admission and English proficiency requirements.

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.

Master's and Educational Specialist admission is offered for Fall, Spring and Summer semesters.

Final university deadlines for master's and Educational Specialist programmes: June 1 for Fall, October 15 for Spring, February 15 for Summer. Programme-specific priority deadlines apply for funding and consideration; priority applications receive maximum consideration and later applications are considered on a space-available basis.

The nonrefundable graduate degree-seeking application fee is $30, paid through the Online Graduate Application site; international applicants may pay by electronic fund transfer from international banks. Test scores (GRE, GMAT, TOEFL, etc.) are required only if the programme requires them.

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