Academic Program
The PhD degree requires 72 semester units of graduate-level coursework beyond the bachelor’s degree. Students may transfer up to 24 units of graduate coursework from an accredited institution. All PhD students must take Major Interpreters in the Study of Religion (REL 363). Most of the CGU coursework is to be constituted by 400-level courses. In cases where 400-level courses appropriate to the student’s program are not available, a limited number of 300-level courses may be taken with the permission of the course instructor and the student’s advisor. Within the general course and residence requirements of Claremont Graduate University, the particular program of study of each student will be planned in consultation with his or her faculty advisor or advisory committee. Students are encouraged to consult with the appropriate faculty regarding their program of study as soon as possible and as often as needed.
Degree Requirements
Requirements. The PhD program in religion presupposes a general knowledge in the study of religion, such as is provided either in an undergraduate program in religion, an MA Program in religion, or by a degree from a school of theology. Students in the PhD program are therefore required to validate some competence in three areas of religion other than the student’s major field. One of these areas must be in a religious tradition other than the student’s own. Students may validate their competence either on the basis of prior coursework recorded on their transcripts (at least two upper-divisional undergraduate or graduate courses in a given area, no more than seven years old, with a grade of B or better), or by passing a breadth examination, which is to be taken upon entrance and may be attempted only once. Students who do not validate their competence in either of these two ways will be required to take coursework in addition to the unit requirements in their area of concentration.
The PhD program also requires its students to have a reading knowledge of German and French, and such other languages as may be necessary to their field of specialization. Students are encouraged to acquire a reading knowledge of German and French before beginning their program of study. Workshops in German and French are usually available in the summer session; tutorials are available during the academic year. Either the German or the French language exam must be taken upon entry into the last 48 units of coursework and passed before registering for any of the last 24 units of coursework. Both must be passed before scheduling the qualifying exams.
Each area of concentration has further requirements that are specific to the area. These include additional language competencies, program prerequisites, advising, courses and seminars, major papers, qualifying examinations, dissertation, and dissertation examination. For more information about these requirements, please contact the School of Religion office or download a student handbook on our school’s website under the heading “Programs and Degrees.”
Upon satisfactory completion of the program of study, the PhD student may apply to take qualifying examinations. Most students who successfully complete their qualifying examinations are eligible to receive a Master of Arts in religion. This does not apply to dual-degree students.
Please refer to the “Registration and Information” section for additional information regarding degree requirements.
Transdisciplinary Course Requirement. All students who enter the doctoral program after the fall 2004 semester are required to complete the transdisciplinary course requirement within the first two years of their program. For details on the requirement, see the “Doctor of Philosophy Degree ” section in this Bulletin.
For further information regarding institutional requirements, including requirements pertaining to the dissertation, the student should consult the “Degree Regulations ” section in this Bulletin; for further information regarding departmental regulations and policies, the student should contact the School of Religion office.