Many colleges and universities have departments of religion or religious studies, and some of those have PhD programs. A PhD in religion or religious studies opens the door to careers in several areas. Graduates will be prepared to serve in religious institutions, teach in academia, or publish scholarly work. Prospective doctoral students have a variety of schools from which to choose.
Brown University
Brown University's department of religious studies offers a doctoral degree in the areas of Asian religious traditions, religion and critical thought and religions of the ancient Mediterranean. The program admits four to six students per year, and offers full funding for five years.
Brown University
Providence, RI 02912
401-863-1000
brown.edu
Duke University
Duke University offers a doctorate in religion, with concentrations in such areas as Hebrew Bible/Old Testament, New Testament, early Christianity, history of Judaism and Islamic studies. Students entering the program with a master's degree may complete the program in five years. Students entering directly from undergraduate study may complete the program in six or more years.
Graduate Program in Religion
209 Gray Building
Box 90964
Durham, NC 27708
919-660-3512
duke.edu
Emory University
Emory University offers a PhD in ten different areas, including American religious cultures, comparative literature and religion, Hebrew Bible and New Testament. Students must be able to read two languages other than English.
Emory University
201 Dowman Drive
Atlanta, Georgia 30322
404-727-6123
emory.edu
Harvard University
Harvard University offers a PhD in Religion in several areas of study, including African religions, Buddhist studies, east Asian religions, ethics and Greco-Roman religions. Admission to the program is competitive, with only five percent of applicants accepted each year. Students must be able to read two languages besides English.
Harvard University
Cambridge, MA 02138
617-495-5781
harvard.edu
University of Notre Dame
Notre Dame doctoral students may study Christianity and Judaism in antiquity, the history of Christianity, liturgical studies, moral theology and Christian ethics and systematic theology. Students will be prepared for positions in research, teaching, and church service.
Department of Theology
130 Malloy Hall
University of Notre Dame
Notre Dame, IN 46556
574-631-7811
nd.edu
University of Pennsylvania
University of Pennsylvania offers a PhD in religious studies. The program is offered in three stages, which consist of course work followed by qualification examinations, preliminary examinations in the student's area of specialization, a dissertation and oral defense. The main emphasis of the program is on understanding religion through the interpretation of culture, religious symbols, history, theory and research methods.
University of Pennsylvania
3451 Walnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104
215-898-5000
upenn.edu
Vanderbilt University
Vanderbilt's doctoral program in religion gives students the option of concentrating on areas such as the Hebrew Bible and ancient Israel, historical studies, history and critical theories of religion, and homiletics and liturgics. Students must be able to read two modern languages other than English.
The Divinity School
Vanderbilt University
411 21st Avenue South
Nashville, TN 37240-1121
615-322-2776
vanderbilt.edu
Tags: Notre Dame, religious studies, able read, Brown University, Emory University