The Master of Arts in Religion and American Politics is a transdisciplinary program focused on a field with growing relevance in the modern world.

Religion is a powerful force in the formation of individual, ethnic, and national identities and in the organization of communal, social, and political orders globally. Politics is increasingly taking account of religion as a determinative cultural and social phenomenon in the mobilizing and ordering of relations between societies. Professionals from politicians and academics to journalists and leaders of humanitarian organizations confront the constant interplay of the two realms. No area of human life is more freighted with passion, danger, and relevance and thus more in need of academic investigation.

Scholars need training in both politics and religion to analyze the web of relations between religion, politics, and society. Fortuitously, the traditional methodologies of political science and religious studies are beginning to merge. Students of politics are taking into account the power of religious identity and scholars of religion are employing the statistical methods of social scientists.

The Master of Arts in Religion and American Politics seeks to train students in both approaches as well as to expose them to key areas where politics and religion intersect, particularly in the United States. 

Students admitted to the program are required to become familiar with the Religion program’s Student Handbook for the year in which the student begins the program.

University Policies

Policies detailed in the current Policies and General Information Bulletin apply.

Admissions Requirements

Admission requirements are detailed in the Admissions section of the current Policies and General Information Bulletin.

Degree Requirements

Coursework. Students complete 48 units in four semesters. Required Core courses (8 units) are 

• PP 363 - Introduction to Religion and Politics 
• PP 300 - American Politics and Institutions
• REL 401- Classical Theories and History of Religious Studies 
• REL 416HC - Religion in America 1865 - Present   OR
• REL 428 Religion in American to 1865

Other required courses are identified as required (8 units) and advanced tools (4 units). 

Required Tools

• PP 481 - Introduction to Statistical Analysis
• REL 301 -  Theory & Methods in the Study of Religion

Advanced Tools - one of the following

• PP 482 - Multivariate Regression Analysis
• PP 483 - Legal Research Methods
• PP 484 – Survey Research
• PP 485 - Qualitative and Mixed Methods Research

Or another tools course approved by the advisor

Transdisciplinary Studies Course (4 units):

One TNDY course chosen in consultation with your advisor 

Electives (12 units)

At least ONE relevant course from Religion

At least ONE relevant course from Political Science

Or from other disciplines as approved by advisor

Thesis Course (4 units):

During this course, which should be taken during or after the last semester of coursework, the student will write a master’s thesis synthesizing knowledge from both Religion and Politics. This thesis will be presented in an open defense.