M.A. in Religious Studies

Queen's University

Program Overview

Queen’s University’s School of Religion offers a theoretically challenging and internationally-acclaimed twelve-month M.A. program in Religious Studies. Students may pick varied courses through which they broaden and deepen undergraduate backgrounds. The program focuses on the relationship between religion and culture (ancient or contemporary). Our courses equip students with the tools to analyze and question issues of politics, culture, race, gender and science in the construction of religion. The program also places an emphasis on contemporary theories and methods in the study of religion. Developing excellent research and writing skills is one of our most important goals. These skills are further honed as students have the opportunity to write a research essay that focuses on a particular religious tradition or phenomenon.

Opportunities

Our program is small and selective, and gives students and faculty the opportunity to work closely together on research projects.

Method of Completion

Students take one core course and two elective courses in both the fall and winter terms, then write a master’s essay over the summer.

Before graduating, students are required to give evidence of a reading knowledge of at least one language, in addition to English, selected from the languages of modern scholarship and/or necessary source languages.

Career paths - employment opportunities

• An M.A. in Religious Studies can lead to a variety of opportunities such as:
• Admission to Doctoral work
• Public policy research and analysis
• International development work
• A career in education
• Journalism
• Work in any setting which values an understanding of multi-culturalism and diversity

Graduates of our program have been accepted into Ph.D. programs at Queen’s University, University of Toronto, McGill University, University of British Columbia, York University, University of Waterloo, University of Ottawa, McMaster University and institutions in the USA and UK. Others have worked for private or public sector employers as journalists, public policy analysts, researchers and educators.