Religions and Cultures (MA)
Master of Arts (MA)
Offered by:Department of Religions and Cultures, Faculty of Arts & Science
Why pursue a Master's in Religions and Cultures?
The world today is increasingly aware of and responsive to the diversity in religions and cultures. The Department of Religions and Cultures offers an exceptional environment for graduate studies. Strong mentoring and a collegial environment are hallmarks of our program.
The Master’s in Religious and Cultures will provide you with the opportunity to explore how religion interacts within this globalized world. This program has been revamped and rethought, with an eye to students’ needs. Our broad spectrum of seminars will give you the means to examine a variety of religious traditions, and discover emerging subspecialties based on your research interests. The inter-disciplinarity of our program and research expertise of our acclaimed faculty members spans multiple traditions and fields of study.
The cultural moment in Montreal, and Quebec more broadly, is in intense discussion with its religious past, and with the meaning of diversity in a province with a particular identity and political history. The Department of Religions and Cultures is an exemplary place to study such developments, as well as to attain skills that will aid students in seeking meaningful involvement in the wider society and workplace.
Program Details
The normal minimum requirement for admission to the MA program in Religions and Cultures is a BA or equivalent with high standing in Religious Studies, Judaic Studies or a discipline in the Social Sciences, Humanities, or Fine Arts.
An undergraduate degree in religious studies or Judaic studies, or its equivalent. Qualified applicants requiring prerequisite courses may be required to take up to 12 undergraduate credits in addition to and as a part of the regular graduate program. Applicants with deficiencies in their undergraduate preparation may be required to take a qualifying program. Qualifying program students in the Department of Religions and Cultures must complete their program with a minimum GPA of 3.50 with no courses graded lower than a "B+" to be considered for admission to the graduate program. Qualifying students must reapply to the MA program on completion of their qualifying program.
Proficiency in English. Applicants whose primary language is not English must demonstrate that their knowledge of English is sufficient to pursue graduate studies in their chosen field. Please refer to the Graduate Admission page for further information on the Language Proficiency requirements and exemptions.
- Credits. A fully-qualified candidate is required to complete a minimum of 45 credits.
- Program Options. All students enter in the Guided Research Project option and later have the opportunity to apply for the Thesis option.
- Language Requirement. Normally, students acquire knowledge of the classical and/or modern languages appropriate to their area of specialization. Specific requirements are established in consultation with the Graduate Program Director. Students who intend to pursue graduate studies at the PhD level are also encouraged to gain proficiency in the language or languages of the primary sources relevant to their proposed research.
Master of/Magisteriate in Arts (Religions and Cultures) with Guided Research Project Option
Candidates are required to take the following:
- Core Course. RELI 6001 Method and Theory in the Study of Religion (3 credits).
- Elective Courses. Five 3-credit courses (15 credits). Courses are grouped into RELI 6012-6018 (Topics in Judaic Studies) and RELI 6002-6008 (Topics in Religions and Cultures) and selected in consultation with the Graduate Program Director. Normally students may not take more than two 3-credit courses outside the Department. With the permission of the Graduate Program Director, up to six credits may be taken from courses offered by other departments or other universities.
- Guided Research Project Proposal. RELI 6020 (3 credits). Students must submit a guided research project (GRP) proposal on a topic chosen in consultation with the GRP supervisor and the proposal must be approved by the Graduate Program Director.
- Guided Research Project. RELI 6021 (24 credits).
This may take one of three forms:- Substantial Academic Research Paper. Students complete a major research paper (normally in their third or fourth term) under the supervision of a faculty member, in which they develop themes or subjects engaged in coursework.
- An Artistic Production. These projects entail creating art or an artistic performance that reflects fluency with the rituals, practices, and cultures of particular communities that the student has studied. Projects can address and respond to issues facing these communities.
- A Technical Project. Projects in this area focus on the acquisition and demonstration of technical skills related to the study of religions and cultures.
Master of/Magisteriate in Arts (Religions and Cultures) with Thesis Option
Candidates are required to take the following:
- Core Course. RELI 6001 Method and Theory in the Study of Religion (3 credits).
- Elective Courses. Three 3-credit courses (9 credits). Courses are grouped into RELI 6012-6018 (Topics in Judaic Studies) and RELI 6002-6008 (Topics in Religions and Cultures) and selected in consultation with the Graduate Program Director. Normally students may not take more than one 3-credit course outside the Department. With the permission of the Graduate Program Director, up to three credits may be taken from courses offered by other departments or other universities.
- Thesis Proposal. RELI 6030 (3 credits). Students must submit a thesis proposal on a topic chosen in consultation with the thesis supervisor and the proposal must be approved by the Department's Graduate Studies committee.
- Thesis. RELI 6031 (30 credits). The thesis is a work of primary research that normally runs to 18,000-24,000 words (about 60-80 pages), exclusive of footnotes and bibliography. Students are expected to have the requisite language skills to undertake their proposed research. Prepared under the supervision of a faculty member, the thesis is defended orally before a committee comprised of the Graduate Program Director, the faculty supervisor, and one additional member of the Religions and Cultures faculty.
Your completed application will include:
- Application form and Fee
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Three Letters of Reference and assessment form. Letters of reference should be of an academic nature (and not from employment unrelated to University studies)
- Statement of purpose (1-2 pages) should describe your particular academic interests, the pertinence of your educational background to those interests, and how this degree program would support them. The statement should clearly outline what it is you wish to study, why you would like to study it, and what your interests are in pursuing this graduate degree. Please also include your competence in languages relevant to your study
- Transcripts for all post-secondary institutions attended
- Proof of Canadian citizenship (if applicable)
- Applicants whose primary language is not English, are required to submit official language test scores, unless exempted.
Please review the department application check list before applying online. Read the how-to guide for application procedures.
| DEGREE |
FALL (September) |
WINTER (January) |
SUMMER (May/June) |
| Religions and Cultures | MA | Feb. 1* | Oct. 1 | n/a |
*Fall: Late applications will be considered until May 1, without funding.
Consult the graduate calendar for a complete list of courses.
Funding opportunities include a variety of entrance scholarships and fellowships, which are available on a competitive basis. Consideration for entrance awards is given to applicants applying for fall admission, and is automatically part of the admission process.
Teaching assistantships are available and awarded to students on a competitive basis. Faculty members offer research assistant positions based on their own research grants.
Many of our students are also funded through provincial (FRQSC) and Federal (SSHRC) grants. Other funding opportunities are available through The Azrieli Institute of Israel Studies and The Institute for Canadian Jewish Studies.
For additional information, please consult Concordia’s graduate funding page and Financial Aid and Awards.
The Department of Religions and Cultures currently offers MA level internships at The Canadian Jewish Archives, The Multi-faith and Spirituality Center and The Azrieli Institute of Israel Studies. In each of these internships the candidate has the opportunity to work in a community or professional environment advancing their career and academic skills while earning three credits.
The intern is an MA level candidate in excellent standing. They will be supervised by the local administrator or site supervisor and will be graded by a faculty member of this department. Students will be chosen on academic criteria of excellence and proven ability to work independently.
Faculty members are internationally renowned for their work in a variety of historical and geographical areas (including Europe, North America, the Middle East, South and East Asia) and spanning multiple traditions (including Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam and Judaism). Faculty are well-represented in numerous publications.
The Department has unique strengths in the areas of:
- Canadian Jewish Studies
- Roman Late Antiquity
- Iranian Studies
- Women, Gender and Sexuality (WGS)
Amongst other department activities, our faculty hosts a monthly Women, Gender and Sexuality Seminar.
Read about someof our exceptional graduate students. Check out more information about our vibrant graduate student community, including the Graduate Religion Students Association (GRSA), Journal of Religion and Culture (JRC), and the Annual Graduate Interdisciplinary Conference (AGIC), now int its 22nd year.
Graduates of our program go on to careers in academia, government and non-profit agencies, as well as positions in religious or community organizations. Read more here.
Important information about admissions
Please be advised that Concordia University does not process admissions or fee payments through third parties for our degree programs.
All applicants are advised to ensure that they are communicating directly with the university for admissions and fee payments.
