For the current cycle of admissions, we will be pausing admissions to the M.A. to focus on Ph.D. applicants. This does not mean that the admissions cycle is open only to those who already hold an M.A. in Religious Studies or related field. What it means is that applicants who currently lack an M.A. will, if admitted, be pursuing a joint M.A.-Ph.D. degree: one that grants an M.A. on the way to the Ph.D.
How to Apply
Our application process
The Department of Religious Studies accepts applications to the M.A. and Ph.D. program for fall admission only. Ours is a full-time, in-residence program. The instructions below include specific information for master’s applicants, doctoral applicants, and continuing students moving from the M.A. to the Ph.D. program.
Deadline: December 1
Decisions on admission
Applicants will be notified of the decision of the Admissions Committee as soon as possible. In a typical year, final notifications are sent out by March at the latest.
You may check the status of your application at any time by sending e-mail to the Religious Studies Graduate Office at religion@iu.edu.
Continuing students
Students currently pursuing an M.A. in our department who wish to continue into our Ph.D. program must apply to do so. Admission to the Ph.D. program from our M.A. program is not automatic. If you are a current M.A. student in Religious Studies at IU who wishes to apply to the doctoral program, you must submit the same application materials and adhere to the same deadlines as external applicants.
Ethnic Information Policy
Ethnic information is gathered in compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and is requested in reports required by the US Department of Education. However, you are not required to answer questions about ethnic origin, and refusal to answer will not affect admission.
Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Policy
Indiana University pledges itself to continue its commitment to the achievement of equal opportunity within the university and throughout American society as a whole. In this regard, Indiana University will recruit, hire, promote, educate, and provide services to persons based upon their individual qualifications. Indiana University prohibits discrimination based on arbitrary consideration of such characteristics as age, color, disability, ethnicity, gender, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, or veteran status.
Indiana University shall take affirmative action, positive and extraordinary, to overcome the discriminatory effects of traditional policies and procedures with regard to the disabled, minorities, women, and Vietnam-era veterans. An Affirmative Action office on each campus monitors the university’s policies and assists individuals who have questions or problems related to discrimination.
For information about services for disabled persons, contact the Disability Services for Students office at the Herman B Wells Library W302, or Veterans Support Services, in the Indiana Memorial Union M084.
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