Faculty
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Matthew Bowman
Associate Professor of Religion and History
Howard W. Hunter Chair of Mormon StudiesResearch Interests
Mormonism, new religious movements, evangelicalism, religion and American politics
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Nicola Denzey Lewis
Professor of Religion
Margo L. Goldsmith Chair in Women’s Studies in ReligionResearch Interests
Social and Intellectual History of the Roman Empire, Gnosticism, Women’s Studies, Religion in the Roman Empire and Late Roman Empire, Late Antiquity
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Lori Anne Ferrell
Dean, School of Arts & Humanities
Director, Early Modern Studies Program
Director, Kingsley & Kate Tufts Poetry AwardsResearch Interests
English Renaissance and Reformation Literature; Early Modern British and European History; Reformation Studies, Protestantism, the Bible and English-language Culture; the Bible in America; William Shakespeare
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Ruqayya Y. Khan
Professor of Religion
Malas Chair of Islamic StudiesResearch Interests
The Qur'an, Arabic literatures, progressive Islamic theologies, women in Islam, Islam and environmental ethics, Islam and the digital age, late antiquity and Islam, origins of Islam, cultures of Umayyad Damascus and Abbasid Baghdad
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Daniel Ramírez
Associate Professor of Religion
Research Interests
American religious history; Latin American religious history; Religion, migration, and transnationalism; Religion in borderlands; Contemporary theories of religion
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Tammi J. Schneider
Danforth Professor of Religion
Chair, Religion DepartmentResearch Interests
Ancient Near Eastern history, literature, archaeology, and religion;
Women in the Hebrew Bible -
Kevin Wolfe
Assistant Professor of Religion
Horton Chair of Religion and Africana StudiesResearch Interests
Religion and Critical Thought; Critical Philosophy of Race; Africana Religious and Political Thought; Religion, Ethics, and Politics; Moral Philosophy; Philosophy of Religion.
Extended Faculty
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Ahmed Alwishah
Pitzer College
Research Interests
Islamic philosophy, Medieval philosophy, Philosophy of religion, Islamic theology
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Myriam Chancy
Scripps College
Research Interests
African diaspora with specialization in its literature
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Stephen T. Davis
Claremont McKenna College
Research Interests
Analytic theology, Christian thought, Metaphysics, Philosophy of religion
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Lara Deeb
Scripps College
Research Interests
Politics of knowledge production, Gender and sexuality, Islam, Transnational feminism, The Middle East, especially Lebanon
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Erika Dyson
Harvey Mudd College
Research Interests
Activism and religion, American religious history, Church and state, Occult religions, Religion and science
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Gastón Espinosa
Claremont McKenna College
Research Interests
American religion & politics; Latino religions; Latino religions & politics; Pentecostal, charismatic, & liberation movements; Religion and the American presidency; Religion in the United States
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Gary Gilbert
Claremont McKenna College
Research Interests
Bible, Christian-Jewish relations, Israel, Jesus, Jewish/Christian relations, Judaism, New Testament
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Philip Zuckerman
Pitzer College
Research Interests
Secularity, Atheism, Apostasy, and Scandinavian culture
Curriculum
Program Requirements
Research Tools Requirement
Fulfilled by passing a foreign language translation exam administered by the School of Arts & Humanities. In some cases, with advisor approval, the Research Tool may be fulfilled by completing an approved research methods course. (Language is determined in consultation with the academic advisor.)
Research Paper
Thesis
Capstone Project
Your capstone project for this program, a substantial research paper dealing with religion and politics, allows you to demonstrate what you’ve learned and display your professional proficiency and readiness to step into the field.
Tracks of Study
Coptic Studies
The Coptic Studies curriculum provides a comprehensive survey of the religion’s influential history and current membership and is an invaluable contribution to such degree programs as the History of Christianity or Philosophy and Religious Theology. Courses include a Coptic literature seminar, “The Religious Heritage of Egypt,” “Coptic Art & Archaeology,” and “Christianity in Egypt: History & Culture.”
Mormon Studies
Mormonism is fully explored—in all its breadth and depth—in courses taught by a faculty that includes one of America’s leading Mormon scholars. In an atmosphere of inquiry that respects all faiths, our master’s and doctoral students pursue original research while enrolled in such degree programs as the History of Christianity and Religions of North America.
Zoroastrian Studies
Supported by our robust Zoroastrian Studies Council, the School of Religion established programming in Zoroastrian Studies so that master’s and doctoral students could explore the religion’s historical influence, impact, and customs. Courses examine the cosmology, eschatology, ethics, and rituals of this oldest of prophetic religions, as well as its relationship with other religions and philosophies.
Application Guidelines
| University Requirements | |
|---|---|
| Application Fee | $80 (fee is non-refundable) |
| Official Transcripts | Undergraduate/graduate Applicants must submit a sealed, official transcript from every undergraduate and graduate institution that has granted the applicant a degree. Electronic transcripts sent to admissions@cgu.edu are also accepted. For undergraduate coursework, applicants are required to submit proof of a completed bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university. Unofficial copies of transcripts are accepted for review purposes, but official copies will be required upon admission. Applicants currently earning a degree that will be completed prior to attending CGU are required to submit a transcript showing work in progress for evaluation purposes. Once the degree has been granted, a final official transcript documenting the degree conferred must be submitted to CGU. International applicants are advised to review the International Transcript Guidelines for additional information on submitting international transcripts. |
| English Proficiency Exam | Required (international applicants only) A valid score on one of the following examinations TOEFL, IELTS, Pearson PTE, Duolingo English Test is required of all non-native English-speaking applicants. The examination is not required for the following applicants:
CGU’s school code for the TOEFL exam is 4053. International applicants are encouraged to visit our International Applicants page for more information, including score requirements. |
| Resume | Applicants must submit an up-to-date copy of their resume. |
| Program Requirements | |
|---|---|
| Statement of Purpose | Please submit a 2-3 page statement of purpose that details your academic and/or professional achievements, your specific areas of research interest within your desired field of study, why you are a strong candidate for graduate studies at CGU, and your career goals. |
| Letter of Recommendation | 3 letters required When filling out the online application, please enter references acquainted with your potential for success who will submit a written recommendation on your behalf. In most academic departments, references from faculty members who can speak to your academic ability are preferred; applicants with substantial work experience may request professional references. Please do not enter family members as references. You will be required to input information for your recommenders (whether they are submitting online or not) in the “Recommendations” section of the online application. Please follow the directions in this section carefully before clicking on “Recommendation Provider List” to input the names and contact information for each recommender. You will have an opportunity to indicate if the reference writer will be submitting online. These reference writers will receive an email from CGU with instructions on submitting an online recommendation. Recommenders who are indicated as offline will not receive an email from CGU with instructions to submit. These reference writers can submit via traditional mail and should use the supplemental New Student Recommendation Form. Recommenders can also email their letter of recommendation to the Office of Admissions at admissions@cgu.edu. |
| Standardized Test Scores | GRE (optional) Applicants who have taken the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) General Test are invited to submit scores but are not required to do so. Applicants who feel that their Grade Point Averages do not adequately represent their ability to succeed in a graduate program may find it helpful to submit GRE scores for consideration. CGU’s school code: |
| Writing Sample | All applicants are required to submit a writing sample of previous work in addition to the statement of purpose. You may submit samples of any length you feel indicate your writing ability, but please note that we will be unable to return any items submitted as part of your application (please, no books). Most applicants submit one or two scholarly papers or excerpts of around 10-15 pages. Writing samples should not exceed 30 pages. |
Key Dates & Deadlines
CGU operates on a priority deadline cycle. Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit complete applications by the priority dates in order to assure maximum consideration for both admission and fellowships.
Once the priority deadlines have passed, the University will continue to review applications for qualified candidates on a competitive, space-available basis. The final deadlines listed are the last date the University can accept an application in order to allow sufficient time to complete the admissions, financial aid, and other enrollment processes.
Spring 2025
Priority Deadline – November 1, 2024
Final Deadline (International) – November 15, 2024
Final Deadline (Domestic) – December 1, 2024
Classes begin – January 21, 2025
Fall 2025
Priority Deadline – February 1, 2025
Final Deadline (International) – July 5, 2025
Final Deadline (Domestic) – August 1, 2025
Classes begin – August 25, 2025
Cost & Aid
ESTIMATED TUITION (CALIFORNIA RESIDENTS, NON-RESIDENTS, INTERNATIONAL)
| Program | 40 units |
| Tuition per unit* | $2,070 |
*Based on 2025-2026 tuition rates.
STUDENT FEES (PER SEMESTER)
| $245 Student Fee |
| $150 Technology Fee |
| International Student Services Fee**: $768 fall semester, $851 spring semester **Applies to all international students (F-1 visa only) who are registered in coursework, doctoral study, or continuous registration. The fee is assessed each fall and spring semester for annual ISO accident and sickness plans and administrative fees. Subject to changes. |
For estimates of room & board, books, etc., please download CGU’s Cost of Attendance 2025-2026.