Why Religious Studies @ Memorial?

Very little happens in the world today that does not intersect religion in some way, from international politics to the latest blockbuster film. If you are interested in the role religion plays historically and in today’s world, Memorial University is the ideal place to study. Memorial University offers the largest graduate program in Religious Studies in Atlantic Canada, and one of the largest in the nation. Important resources include a large library with a generous collection of periodical literature, the Religion of Newfoundland and Labrador Archives, courses in ancient and non-western languages, strong computer support, and ten highly qualified, full-time faculty members.

One of the strengths of the graduate program is the individual attention given to students. Each student, for example, is assigned a supervisor with whom he or she designs a personalized reading course and receives individualized guidance in the preparation of a thesis, including a thesis proposal. 

Faculty and graduate student research has been conducted on the following: Hinduism, philosophy of religion, Hebrew bible, new-age and pagan religious movements, Chinese and North American Buddhism, Buddhism and Psychology, Christianity, religion and popular culture, ethics and social justice, new testament, religious history of Newfoundland and Labrador, Islam in the West.

Description of program

• Graduate diploma - Disciplinary graduate diplomas provide an opportunity to acquire additional academic credentials at the graduate level without committing to a full master’s program. These programs allow students to expand on their knowledge of a particular discipline and may also be used for professional development within their careers. The graduate diploma course work can be completed on a part-time basis, making it ideal for working students.
  
  
• MA – The MA program offers both project and thesis options. The project option involves courses and a project, and can be completed in one year of full-time study. The thesis option involves courses and a thesis, and can be completed in two years. The thesis route is ideal for students considering further education in the field of Religious Studies.

*Please note applications for the MA program are not being considered at this time.

Contact a faculty supervisor

Graduate applicants interested in research-based programs are strongly encouraged to connect with a faculty supervisor at the time of application. Visit the Department of Religious Studies website for areas for a list of faculty members, their research interests, and contact information. You may also use the Yaffle search application to find a supervisor you may wish to work with.

The School of Graduate Studies offers advice on how to search for and contact potential supervisors. Need more help? Try attending one of our webinars and information sessions for prospective graduate students.

Minimum admission requirements

• Graduate diploma, MA – Bachelor's degree (minimum second-class honours) in Religious Studies including 15 courses in Religious Studies with a grade of ‘B’ in each

View the Department of Religious Studies website for more information.

Note: All figures are in Canadian dollars and subject to change. Fees are approved by the University’s Board of Regents. In the event of a discrepancy between the fees approved by the Board and those published on this website, the fees approved by the Board will prevail. Financial policies are enforced through the Department of Financial and Administrative Services. For the complete and official list of all fees and charges, visit www.mun.ca/finance/fees/.