Graduate Programs of Religious Studies

Welcome to the graduate programs in religious studies at the University of Ottawa. Our programs focus on religions in Canada, including Amerindian and Inuit traditions, and on religions in a comparative cultural context, particularly religions in the Roman Empire and in the contemporary period.

Five graduate programs in that field are offered:

• Master of Arts in Religious Studies
• Master of Arts in Religious Studies with Specialization in Women’s Studies
• Master of Arts in Religious Studies with Specialization in Medieval and Renaissance Studies
• PhD in Religious Studies
• PhD in Religious Studies, with Specialization in Canadian Studies

Our programs enable students to develop expertise in their chosen fields of specialization through a combination of courses, directed studies, and research. For an overview of the steps in each program, you should consult the program descriptions (above) as well as the following documents:

• description of the literature review
• description of the comprehensive examination with cover page
• description of the colloquium and thesis project (for the MA with thesis and the Ph.D.)
• detailed guide to each step of a master’s thesis and a doctoral thesis

For a list of graduate courses offered in the current academic year, consult the course timetable. You should begin planning directed studies or supervised research with the member of faculty who will supervise the studies or research at least one month before the session. Before registering for directed studies or supervised research, you must complete the Department’s “Directed Studies/Supervised Research” form.

Because the study of religions reaches well beyond programs and courses, the Department seeks many other avenues to facilitate the exchange of ideas.

This year we once again look forward to an exciting series of lectures on the theme Critical Thinkers in Religion, Law and Social Theory. The series is organized by Professor Lori Beaman, holder of a Canada Research Chair in the Contextualization of Religion in a Diverse Canada, in collaboration with Elke Winter (sociology), André Laliberté (political studies), and Pascale Fournier (law).

Professor Beaman also offers several professional development workshops each year for graduate students. In addition, the Religious Studies Graduate Students’ Association hosts a variety of social and scholarly events throughout the year.

For information about applying for admission and about financial assistance, see the website of the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies.

If you have questions about the programs, do not hesitate to contact the Director of Graduate Studies, Adele Reinhartz.