Religion

Graduate Division of Religion

The Graduate Division of Religion prepares students to be scholars and teachers of religion and theology, requiring mastery of a specialized field in the context of a general knowledge of the study of religion and the varieties of religious expression. All programs include interdisciplinary inquiry and encourage cross-disciplinary work. The academic program is supplemented by rigorous teacher training and ample teaching opportunity. The PhD is offered through nine programs: American Religious Cultures; Comparative Literature and Religion; Ethics and Society; Hebrew Bible; Historical Studies in Theology and Religion; New Testament; Person, Community, and Religious Life; Theological Studies; and West and South Asian Religions. In addition, the Graduate Division has specialized program possibilities that combine resources from more than one program and from other graduate faculties in the university. A concentration in Religious Practices and Practical Theology is available within any program, as well as a joint JD/PhD program. Students may also work with Emory’s strong programs in Jewish Studies and Religion and Law. The programs, the concentration in Religious Practices and Practical Theology, and the joint JD/PhD option are described in more detail in the 2005-2006 brochure.

The work of the Graduate Division of Religion is oriented entirely toward the doctor of philosophy degree. Thus, admission to one of the programs presupposes a master's level degree related to the field. Students who wish to do master's level degrees are encouraged to consider the Master of Theological Studies program in Emory's Candler School of Theology or the master's degree offered by Jewish Studies in the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences.

Additional Information: Students in the PhD program must demonstrate their ability to read two modern languages (other than English), normally German and French. Another modern language may be substituted if appropriate to the student's research and approved by the student's department. In the Program in West and South Asian Religions, for example, Arabic or Hindi may be appropriate as one of the modern languages. Statistics/computer language competence as a substitute for the second language is possible in Religion and Society, and in some cases in the program in the Person, Community, and Religious Practices, but only by petition through the student's program to the policy and curriculum committee. Competence in a first language is to be demonstrated by written examination at the beginning of the first semester in residence, and competence in a second must be demonstrated before preliminary examinations are administered. The biblical programs have additional requirements in the pertinent primary languages.

Applicants whose native language is not English must demonstrate proficiency in English by achieving a score of 550 or higher on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). If accepted, English would then count as the first foreign language. In addition, these applicants must submit an example of academic work written in English to be evaluated by the division's admissions and awards committee.


Application Information

Program Application Deadline:   January 3, 2008

Faculty: 64

Students: In residence 147; average in entering class varies by area 

Mailing Address:
Emory University
Graduate Division of Religion
Callaway Center
537 Kilgo Circle, Suite S214
Atlanta, GA 30322
U.S.A.
 
Telephone: +1 404.727.6333
Fax: +1 404.727.7597
Email: ppenso@emory.edu