Frequently Asked Questions | UGA Religion Graduate Programs

At UGA Religion, we encourage applicants without a master's degree to apply for our MA program rather than the PhD program. 

Yes! At UGA Religion, we routinely accept applicants with degrees other than Religion at the undergraduate and master's level, including in fields such as English, History, Sociology, Education, etc. We ask that you explain in your statement of purpose how your previous training has prepared you to undertake your proposed doctoral research in Religion.

UGA's Department of Religion does not use GRE scores for admission decisions. Your GPA is important, however we base admissions decisions on a holistic evaluation. For example, we assess which knowledge and skills you have built previously, and whether your research interests and professional objectives are aligned with our department. We admit applicants who match the availability and research interests of our faculty. We determine this through the applicant’s Statement of Purpose and CV as well as letters of recommendation. We encourage all applicants to communicate with their potential major professor before submitting their application. Find professor contact information on our Directory page.

Students typically complete the MA Religion program in two years and the PhD Religion program in four or five years. However, the programs are individualized so that you can set up your own timeline in consultation with your major professor and the Director of Graduate Studies.

When you enter the MA or PhD program, you will spend the first semester taking some required courses, getting to know the other incoming students as well as your major professor, and settling into life in Athens, GA. The required courses vary a little from student to student, but will typically include: The GradFIRST Seminar (GRSC 7001), which provides an introduction to graduate school; the Teaching Seminar (RELI 7770); the Theories Seminar (RELI 8770); and one or two electives that you will determine in conversation with your major professor. One of these will often be the Writing Seminar (RELI 8700), which will allow you to begin reading and writing in your specific research area already in the first semester.

Each PhD student works closely with one professor who serves as their research advisor and mentor. If there is a professor or professors in UGA's Department of Religion that you would like to work with, we encourage you to send them an email of introduction prior to applying. After you have entered the program, you will assemble an advisory committee of faculty who will guide your research and provide additional advice. Find professor contact information on our Directory page.

In UGA Religion, we are able to offer a small number of Graduate Teaching Assistantships to our students, which provide a tuition waiver and an annual stipend. Additional information on funding from the Graduate School at UGA can be found here. 

Please apply! UGA Religion embraces a diversity of life experiences. The UGA Religion PhD and MA programs are structured to facilitate success for all accepted students. This includes taking courses together with your cohort as soon as you enter, completing required and elective courses, having a major professor who guides your research, and having access to a wealth of professional development resources through the UGA Graduate School.

You can email our Director of Graduate Studies, Dr. Ingie Hovland, with any further inquiries.