Requirements for the M.A.

Program Requirements | Unit Requirements | Areas of Study

Program Requirements REQUIRED COURSE: All students must take REL 363, Major Interpreters in the Study of Religion. In addition to this required course on methodological issues, each area of specialization offers courses that address methodological issues. LANGUAGE REQUIREMENT: The general MA program does not have a primary source language requirement. The specialized MA programs in Comparative Scriptures, Islamic Studies, and Jewish Studies, require the completion of courses in a primary source language (see specializations below). Other specialized programs may, at the discretion of the area faculty, require a primary source language depending upon the nature of a student’s research plan. Students may take a test upon admission to determine their level of language competency. SECONDARY RESEARCH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENT: All students must have a reading knowledge of German or French. In some cases, and at the discretion of the area faculty, students may be allowed to substitute another language. The secondary research language requirement is met by passing a two-hour exam given at the beginning of each semester and at the beginning of the summer. The exam simulates a research situation: the student translates a selected passage from a previously known list of books with the aid of a dictionary. A nominal fee is charged at the time of the exam. Language workshops in French and German are offered in the summer. THESIS: An MA Thesis is prepared in consultation with the student’s advisor or advisory committee and is generally 60-85 pages in length. All theses require a second reader. Guidelines for preparing the thesis are available from the Religion Office.

Unit Requirements Students in both programs may register for up to 6 units of Thesis Research (REL 399) Language instruction taken to meet the Secondary Research Language Requirement does not count toward the required 48 units, however, students may count up to 12 units of courses in a primary resource language toward the required minimum of 28 units of credit in their area of specialization. Up to 10 units may be transferred from an accredited graduate institution, in courses relevant to the student's program, for which a grade of "B" or better was earned. Students may submit a "TRANSFER of CREDIT" form (obtainable from the Religion office) after they have completed 12 CGU units. MA students admitted into the SOR doctoral program will receive credit for 24 units toward their 72-unit doctoral degree. In rare cases students may be allowed, at the discretion of the faculty, to count more than 24 units of their MA toward their 72-unit doctoral degree, however, your MA thesis units may not be counted toward the Ph.D.