MTS/MA in religious studies

Graduate School
1

<p>I have some questions about religious studies programs. I'm currently a Junior at the University of Southern California (I don't mind not being anonymous here), a Neuroscience major, with a 3.83 overall GPA. I was originally Pre-Med, and aced all but one pre-med class. But I'm tired of science. I took a philosophy class early in my college career and it's my favorite class to this day. I got an A in that class. On a more personal level, I recently had a sudden and intense spiritual awakening related to my recovery from drug and alcohol addiction (nearly 3.5 years sober). This is a far cry from the devout atheist I was before I got sober. I abhored the idea, even the thought of God. Since that experience, it's pretty much all I can think about. This experience, along with my recovery of which it was a result, will likely be the crux of my statement of purpose. Science lost its luster, and I'm bored that I don't get to write, I love to write and to learn things other than science. I spend most of my free time reading books about spirituality or psychoanalysis, and that's much more fun than science textbooks these days.</p>

<p>So my question is, which direction do I go in as far as applying to MTS, MA, or possibly PhD programs? I've not really considered the PhD as an option at this point, though it is certainly the goal. I just don't have the academic background in religious studies nor many other areas of the humanities to apply directly to PhD programs. As well, I have only two semesters of college spanish under my belt, which doesn't seem to matter much as far as religious studies programs are concerned.</p>

<p>Should I apply directly to PhD programs?</p>

<p>Do I need a more thorough background in the humanities, specifically religion and philosophy?</p>

<p>Are the language proficiencies (i.e. French and/or German) requirements for admission to MTS/MA programs? PhD programs? Do I need to take a French or German for reading class as better preparation?</p>

<p>I plan to take a couple philosophy classes next fall, but they will likely be overseas at University College London during a study abroad program. Is that appropriate preparation?</p>

<p>I've read through a search on "religious studies" on this website, and found quite a bit of information, yet I still have these specific questions to address. All help and input would be much appreciated. By the way, I plan to take the GRE sometime this coming summer after sufficient preparation. And I'd most likely want to specialize in Philosophy of Religion, or the New Testament and Origins of Christianity.</p>

<p>Thanks in advance for the input.</p>

2

<p>I direct a graduate program in Religion, and without substantial preparation in religious studies, including some of the languages relevant to your intended area of study, we would absolutely not admit you.</p>

<p>Philosophy is an entirely different discipline, and grad study in that area also requires a great deal of background specifically in the study of philosophy. French or German is a plus, in that applicants without reading ability in at least one these languages will be less competitive candidates.</p>

<p>An MTS is by definition a theological studies degree, and MTS admissions would expect some language background. In your case, Greek would be necessary. </p>

<p>MA programs in Religion/Religious Studies/Comparative Religion will also expect a good deal of study within the discipline of religion or a closely cognate field (history, anthropology), and will not likely admit an applicant without this undergraduate preparation.</p>

<p>But the bottom line is that from what you have written, it sounds like you are much more interested in the practice and theology of a specific religious tradition than you are in the study of religion. I am not trying to be harsh here, but because you have not studied religion in the academic sense, you are not really aware of what we do within this discipline. Theology is quite different from Religious Studies, as well as Philosophy, and these three very different disciplines require very different backgrounds in potential graduate students.</p>

<p>In your case, I would suggest looking into an M.Div. program. M.Div. programs will not care whether you have a background in the academic study of religion -- they only look for personal religious commitment. And they will not care whether you have the background in Hebrew, Greek, French, or German that Ph.D. programs in Religion would expect.</p>

<p>Best wishes to you.</p>

3

<p>Professor X,</p>

<p>Thanks for the reply. I do not take your comments as harsh, simply as the reality of the situation. I'll definitely think more about whether this is the route I'd like to go, and I have thought about the MDiv route, as well. Of course this all comes at a time when my graduate school aspirations change on a regular basis, which is scary in its own right concerning the diversity of programs I've considered. I think the point for me today is that I don't want to go to medical school, and probably need a little more time out in the world to determine exactly what I would like to do.</p>

<p>Again, thank you for the reply.</p>

4

<p>Hey there,</p>

<p>I experienced something very similar in my undergraduate career. I was a Chemistry/Comp Sci/premed for the first two and a half years. Like yourself, I simply got really fed up with equations, number crunching and problem sets. Taking a course in History was an eye-opening experience, and I eventually changed my major to History.</p>

<p>I did all my History requirements in a year and a half (10 additional classes in History) and also took language classes, because I thought that I wanted a graduate degree. This required a lot of hard work and staying around the campus over summers. I think you could also change your major and still finish within four. But I recommend staying an extra semester or two if you want to change your major. However, if you are close from finishing your major requirements in Neuroscience, I suggest that you consider a double major rather than switching out. Taking lots of classes in humanities in your field will give you a sense of whether an academic degree is right for you.</p>

<p>You could consider enrolling in one-year non-degree programs in humanities/classical studies. A lot of universities are offering nowadays what they call "Post-Baccalaureate program in Classical Studies or Greek/Latin" that not only prepares your languages but also allows you to take outside courses, provides advising for grad school applications, etc. Another option would be to do a one-year Master's Program in Humanities at the University of Chicago. However, these options are viable only if you have financial means to support yourself for an extra year. But perhaps if you are willing to invest one extra year, you might as well get a Master's. Overall, I am not sure if these programs address your future plans. You will find best advising among your professors.</p>

<p>Hope this helps.</p>

5

<p>Thanks for the response blukorea.</p>

<p>This is something I've certainly considered, that is, adding another major. I can add a philosophy minor and still graduate on time and not have to take more than 4 courses a semester. For the double major, I'd have to take 2 classes over the summer, which I'm not too keen on but may possibly do. Otherwise, like you said, I could always do one of those 1 year programs, and I wouldn't mind that at all if I end up deciding this is really the direction I want to go in.</p>

<p>Thanks again for the reply.</p>