Master of Arts in Religion - Religion, Ethics, and Philosophy

The program in religion, ethics, and philosophy is designed to train scholars in (1) the philosophical and theoretical analysis of religious phenomena, (2) modern and historic expressions of religious thought, particularly in Europe and North America, (3) comparative analysis of the religious, philosophical, and ethical traditions of Europe and North America with those of the Middle East, South and East Asia, (4) historical and contemporary literature related to political ethics, the justification and conduct of war, the nature and scope of human rights discourse, and issues in ethics and the life sciences. To this end, students concentrating in religion, ethics, and philosophy take courses dealing with theory and method in the study of religion, hermeneutics, philosophy of religion, modern and historic expressions of religious thought, religious and philosophical ethics, and other topics related to the overall goals of the program. While the Department of Religion offers a rich variety of courses in this area, students are also encouraged, in consultation with area faculty, to take courses across the University. The Departments of Philosophy, Sociology, Classics, History, English, and Modern Languages are particularly relevant, as are the programs in Humanities and American and Florida Studies and in the College of Law.
Our Graduate Program has four tracks of study, American Religious History (ARH), History and Ethnography of Religions (HER), Religion, Ethics, and Philosophy (REP), and Religions of Western Antiquity (RWA). Each track has specific degree requirements. Students admitted to one of the four tracks will be advised by faculty in that area. They will also take courses and fulfill some of their degree requirements outside that area. It is a general policy of the department to admit only full-time students to the Graduate Program in Religion.

Grades and GRE Scores
Though outstanding grades are prerequisites for admission to both graduate programs (and GRE scores are a prerequisite for the PhD program), they provide no guarantee of acceptance.
Personal Statement
The applicant's statement of purpose is considered carefully in the admissions decision insofar as it distinguishes an applicant from other applicants and relates her or his specific interests to those of program faculty.

Writing Sample
The writing sample often proves to be the most important document in the application process. As an example of the applicant's best work, the writing sample should demonstrate an ability to write well, analyze, and engage with scholarly debates and research.

Recommendation Letters
Letters of recommendation are also given great weight in the decision process. Students are encouraged to choose recommenders who can provide detailed information about academic ability and likelihood of success in graduate study.
Document 1, upload the Department of Religion Application for Admission to a Graduate Program, including a list of the Religion courses you have taken and grades for those courses
In Document 2, upload a sample of your writing (for example, a term paper in a religion course)
In Document 3, upload a statement of purpose (about two pages long)
Three letters of recommendation, enter the required information for three academic references. References will be contacted once the application is submitted and instructed how to upload letters of recommendation.
A bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution, or a comparable degree from an international institution, with a minimum 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) grade point average (GPA) in all coursework attempted while registered as an upper-division undergraduate student working towards a bachelor's degree

Internet based TOEFL (IBTOEFL): 80, Paper based TOEFL (TOEFL): 550, International English Language Testing System (IELTS): 6.5.