Doctor of Philosophy in Religion - African American Religion

The Department of Religion has been at the center of rice's intellectual community since its establishment in 1968, and we are proud to continue that tradition.
We specialize in different historic religious traditions such as Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Judaism, African American Religions, and African Religions, and we promote critical inquiry in our training of the next generation of religion scholars at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Those who come to study with us will work through new questions about the human condition, and will explore and analyze key texts and traditions that continue to shape our common destiny. Our inquiries involve science and art, and above all address meaning-making as related to intersubjective bonds. Many of our faculty interrogate these questions through prisms like gender, race, sexuality, class, politics, and pop-culture.

All official transcripts must be sent directly to the program to which you intend to apply. For a listing of contacts, please visit the program mail stop directory. You may also upload an unofficial transcript directly within your online application.
Rice University accepts transcripts delivered electronically through Parchment. Programs are able to receive transcripts through other online services as well.
Applicants from Chinese institutions can request and submit official transcripts directly through CHESICC. Requests are processed by CHESICC and will be sent electronically to be associated with your application. If submitting through CHESICC you will not need to submit a paper copy of your transcript. Go here to get started.
For 2024 admissions, Rice generally is not requiring the GRE. However, individual degree programs have the option of recommending, strongly recommending, or requiring the general GRE. See the Programs of Study page or reach out to your program of admission for clarification.
In general, applicants should have at least a 3.0 (B) grade point average, or the equivalent, in their undergraduate work.
The TOEFL IBT or IBT Home Edition. A minimum score of 90 is required
IELTS Indicator. A minimum score of 7 is required.
Duolingo. A minimum score of 115 is required.