Missouri State University

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Religious Studies 

M.A. Program Overview

1. Core Requirements (18 hours: 4 Basic Issues courses plus 2 Seminars)
 
REL 710 Basic Issues: South Asian Religions                                     3 hrs

REL 730 Basic Issues: Biblical Studies                                                 3 hrs

REL 750 Basic Issues: History of Judaism and Christianity              3 hrs

REL 770 Basic Issues: Religion, Self and Society                               3 hrs

REL 711 Seminar: South Asian Religions or                                

REL 771 Seminar: Religion, Self and Society and                               3 hrs

REL 731 Seminar: Biblical Studies or                                            

REL 751 Seminar: History of Judaism & Christianity                          3 hrs

 
2. Electives (14 hours)
 
Fourteen hours, at least 6 hours of which must be taken in the Religious Studies Department. The student's Advisory Committee must approve these courses.
 
3. Directed Reading Courses

At their own initiative, students can arrange for a maximum of 9 hours of Directed Readings (REL 796), done under the direction of a member of the Religious Studies Graduate Faculty, and in an area of interest to the student. Permission to enroll in REL 796 is required. 

 
4. Research

In addition to completing their course work, students must complete a Thesis or revise two Seminar Papers in a manner acceptable to the student's Advisory Committee. Students writing a Thesis may enroll in REL 799 for a maximum of 6 hours. Either the Thesis or revised Seminar Papers will be presented to the Advisory Committee in advance of the written Comprehensive Examination. Together with the student's written Comprehensive Examination answers, the Thesis or Seminar Papers constitute the student's research portfolio. The student is examined on this material during the oral portion of the Comprehensive Examination.