The graduate study of religion is a cooperative program among the Departments of Religion at Columbia University, Barnard College and Union Theological Seminary.  The program engages students in the study of an area of specialization as well as rigorous instruction in comparative, methodological and theoretical issues.  The latter topics are structured around a series of problems (organized in five Zones of Inquiry) in which different disciplines and traditions intersect.  By emphasizing both careful historical, critical analysis and creative theoretical and cross-disciplinary investigation, the program prepares students to for a broad range of intellectual and teaching opportunities.  Numerous faculty from other departments in the University participate in the program and students are encouraged to take advantage of the rich curricular and programmatic resources Columbia has to offer.

The following fields of study are offered: Buddhism, Christianity, East Asian Religions, Judaism, North American Religions, Philosophy of Religion, and South Asian Religions. Christianity includes the following subfields:  New Testament and Christian Origins, Patristic and Early Byzantine Christianity, Medieval Christianity and Late Medieval and Reformation Christianity. Judaism includes the subfields of Hebrew Bible and Rabbinic Studies.  The study of religions in Late Antiquity is possible under the fields of Christianity and Judaism. The requirements in these fields of study are discussed in detail in the second part of this handbook.  The Zones of Inquiry (described below) include:  Time, Space, Body, Media, and Transmission.

The program offers courses leading to two degrees: the M.A. and the Ph.D.  Students may apply for the M.A. only or for the Ph.D. program.  Ph.D. candidates receive a M.Phil. upon the successful completion of language requirements, course work and  general examinations.  The Department also offers an M.A. as part of the dual Journalism-Religion M.S.-M.A. program.  Many graduates go on to teach at colleges and universities throughout the world.  Some graduates of our M.A. program go on for doctoral studies in religion while others turn to a career in other professions, such as law or medicine.  Our dual M.S.-M.A. program in Journalism and Religion offers a unique opportunity to combine academic study with professional training