religious-studies

Application Requirements and Deadlines

Program Degrees Offered Number of Credits Full Time/Part Time Tests Required—Min. Scores
Religious Studies
MA 45
FT/PT

GRE—varies
TOEFL—80/550
(ibt/pbt)
IELTS 6.0

Additional Requirements:

Application fee
Three letters of recommendation
Personal statement
GRE scores
Official transcripts

Prerequisite Courses/Degrees:

Students must have an appropriate undergraduate background in relevant arts, humanities or social science disciplines with a minimum B grade average

INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS

For complete international applicant information, please visit the Office of Graduate Studies Web site. International applicants are strongly encouraged to submit a complete admission packet at least six weeks prior to the program’s application deadline.

GRADUATE RECORD EXAM (GRE)

Applicants must request that Educational Testing Services forward results to the University of Denver, Office of Graduate Admission. The institution code for the University of Denver is R4842. For information concerning GRE registration, please visit www.gre.org or contact:

Graduate Record Examination
Educational Testing Service
P.O. Box 6000
Princeton, NJ 08541-6000
609-771-7670

Applicants should take the entrance exam well in advance of their intended application date. Please allow at least 14 business days for your general test scores and six weeks for your subject test scores to be received. Several departments and schools will not process applications until scores have been received. Entrance exam scores older than five years from the date of the application may not be acceptable for admission.

APPLICATION FEES

There is a $60 nonrefundable application fee, which covers the cost of processing application materials. The application fee may be paid online with a credit card at the time of application submission.  Otherwise, the application fee may be paid on a bank draft or personal check drawn on a U.S. bank and submitted by mail to the address listed below.  Applications will not be considered for admission until this fee is paid. No waivers or deferrals are allowed with the exception of McNair and CORE scholars.  A letter of verification needs to be sent to verify participation in the scholar programs.

TRANSCRIPTS

Applicants are required to submit one official transcript from each post-secondary institution they have attended, or are presently attending, where two quarter hours (or one semester hour) or more were completed.  This includes transcripts for credit earned as transfer work, study abroad and college credit earned in high school. 

An official transcript must include the original signature of the registrar and/or the seal of the issuing institution, and must be enclosed in an envelope with the stamp or signature of the registrar across the sealed flap. Proof of a bachelor's and master's degree (if applicable)  is required from a regionally accredited college or university.

Applications will not be forwarded to the department for review until official transcripts have been received.

All credentials submitted become property of the University of Denver and cannot be copied or returned to the student or any person(s).

LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION

Three (3) letters of recommendation are required. Letter of recommendation requests are sent to your recommender via email within one business day of the submission of your online application. You will be asked to provide names and email addresses of individuals who will be writing your recommendations. Please ensure you have accurate email addresses for your recommenders prior to submitting your application.

We suggest you let your recommender know the recommendation request will be coming from the University of Denver in advance. This will allow him/her to send a letter electronically and meet the application deadline if applicable. Instructions for an evaluation form will be included in the email for those departments with such requirements.

ESSAY/PERSONAL STATEMENT

You should submit a short personal statement describing your interest in religious studies and career goals.

The Essay/Personal Statement can be uploaded and attached to your online application before submission.

MAILING ADDRESS

Mail transcripts and any additional items to:

University of Denver
Office of Graduate Studies
Mary Reed Building, Room 5
2199 S. University Blvd.
Denver, CO 80208-4802

  • Department of Religious Studies
    2000 E. Asbury Avenue, Sturm 166
    Denver, CO 80208
    MA Program Director, 303-871-2740
    www.du.edu/rlgs

    Joint PhD with Iliff School of Theology
    2201 S. University Blvd.
    Denver, CO 80210
    303-756-3136, 800-678-3360
    www.du.edu/duiliffjoint