G-REL-AM - Religious Studies - Master's

30 Units of Credits Achieved One of Two Ways

• Thesis Option

  • 8 courses (24 units)

  • 2 research components (6 units)

    • The 2 research components are devoted to research carried out under the supervision of a Department of Religious Studies faculty member

  • Master's thesis

    • Master's thesis must be defended before an examination committee of 3 members of more. (A Department faculty member will serve as the chair of this examination committee.)

• Research Paper Option

  • 10 courses (30 units)

  • 2 Research Papers

    • 2 of the courses must include writing a research paper, and at least 1 of these supervised by a Department faculty member

    • Both papers must have been graded B or better

    • The 2 research papers must be defended before an examination committee of 3 - 4 members. (A Department faculty member will serve as the chair of this examination committee, and the committee must be comprised of at least 2 Religious Studies faculty and a majority of Duke faculty.) See the DGSA for questions pertaining to committees.

You must select your preferred option before the beginning of the penultimate semester. At that point, you must complete a form indicating your choice, as well as information regarding your proposed writings and examination committee members.

Course Requirements

• 6 of the courses (18 units) focused on Religious Studies, regardless of whether they are taken in or outside of the Department

• RELIGION 912 (Theorizing Religion) or a graduate-level equivalent that must be approved by the current instructor of RELIGION 912

• All courses must be at the 500-level or higher

• 2 courses may be taken at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (based on the collaboration agreement between Duke and UNC-CH)