Religious Studies MA

Admission Requirements

Completion of a Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies or a related field with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 from an accredited institution. 

Degree Requirements:

• After the completion of one semester in the MA in Religious Studies program, students must declare a concentration in one of the following two areas: Contextual Theology or The Study of Religions
• Each area of concentration requires the completion of 36 units to degree constituted by 21 units of concentration specific required courses, 12 units of concentration specific elective courses, and 3 units of the Capstone Project. Upon approval by the Director of Graduate Religious Studies, students may take one 3-unit elective course offering outside of their declared concentration. 
• Contextual Theology
• 21 units of Required Courses (3-unit courses). Each of the following courses are required: 
  • RST 202A: Introduction to Theology 
  • RST 203: Hebrew Scriptures 
  • RST 205: Christian Scriptures
  • RST 209: Historical Theology 
  • RST 214: Foundations in Theological Ethics
  • RST 220: Theories and Methods in Religion and Theology
  • RST 221: Religion, Theology, and the City of Los Angeles 
• 12 units of Contextual Theology Electives (3-unit courses)
• 3 units Capstone Project
• 36 units total
• The Study of Religions
  • 21 units of Required Courses (3-unit courses). Each of the following courses are required: 
    • RST 202B: Introduction to Religious Studies 
    • RST 204: Sacred Texts
    • RST 220: Theories and Methods in Religion and Theology
    • RST 221: Religion, Theology, and the City of Los Angeles
    • RST 231: Sociology of Religion
    • RST 233: Comparative Religious Ethics
    • RST 234: World Religions
  • 12 units of Study of Religions Electives (3-unit courses)
  • 3 units Capstone project
  • 36 units total

Religious Studies MA Capstone Project:

In order to receive the M.A. in Religious Studies the student must successfully complete the Capstone Project.

The “Capstone Project” is the terminal research exercise consisting of:

• RST 290: Capstone Thesis Proposal (1)
• RST 291: Capstone Thesis (2)
• Normally the student completes RST 291 within one academic semester. If, for valid reasons, this is impossible, the student may register for RST 291A, RST 291B, RST 291C, RST 291D (1, 1, 1, 1)

Any exceptions must be approved by the Director of Graduate Religious Studies program, the Graduate Dean, and/or the Provost. 

Religious Studies MA Transfer of Credit

A student may transfer six (6) units of graduate religious studies credit from an accredited institution of higher learning towards the completion of the MA in Religious Studies. The student must first successfully complete six (6) units of Mount Saint Mary’s University Graduate Religious Studies credit before formally petitioning for unit transfer.

The acceptance of transfer credit is subject to the approval of the Director of Graduate Religious Studies, the Graduate Dean, and/or the Provost. Credits cannot predate admission to Mount Saint Mary’s University by more than seven (7) years.