To facilitate the application process, the Office of Graduate Studies has outlined these simple steps necessary to apply for graduate study in the Department of Religious Studies. If you have any questions about this process, please contact the Office of Graduate Studies.

1. Apply Online / Application Deadlines
Applications for graduate study in Religious Studies at the University of Denver must be submitted online. Applications are due February 15 for fall admission the following academic year. Documents sent by mail should be postmarked by the deadline date. Late applications will be considered but priority consideration for admission and departmental scholarships will be given to applicants meeting the deadline. To be considered for admission, applications must be complete, including all test scores and transcripts. Students may apply at any time for winter, spring, and summer admission but will be considered on a space-available basis.

A $65 non-refundable application fee is required for an application to be processed.

2. Transcripts / Course and Degree Prerequisites and Requirements
Applicants must have an undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited college or university with an appropriate undergraduate background in relevant arts, humanities or social science disciplines, and a minimum "B" (3.0) grade point average. Meeting this and the minimum test score standard (noted below) does not guarantee admission, but no application will be seriously considered if such standards are not met.

Applicants are required to submit an official transcript from each post-secondary institution attended, or are presently attending, where two quarter hours (or one semester hour) or more were completed. Proof of a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university is required.  Applicants must also account for any study undertaken outside the United States. If study abroad course work with grades and course titles do not appear on a transcript, those records must be obtained as well.  All transcripts must be official and received in the Office of Graduate Studies in a sealed envelope. University of Denver students and alumni do not need to provide DU transcripts as these will be requested by the Office of Graduate Studies.

Transcripts issued in a language other than English must be accompanied by a certified English translation. Students who have earned a degree outside the U.S. must also submit proof of graduation, typically through a degree certificate or diploma. If you have been educated outside the U.S., we encourage you to contact the Office of Graduate Studies for assistance regarding transcript-related materials. DU's in-house foreign credential evaluation may take up to four weeks. This evaluation must be complete by the program's stated deadline. Applicants with education credentials from outside of the U.S. are encouraged to apply early.

3. Test Scores
Application to Religious Studies requires a minimum 500/153 on the verbal section of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) general test.  Scores must be received directly from the appropriate testing agency by the program's stated deadline. The institution code for the University of Denver is 4842. Non-native English speakers are required to provide scores from either the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Please note: this requirement is independent of citizenship status.

The minimum TOEFL score accepted by DU is 80 (iBT) or 550 (paper-based). The minimum IELTS score accepted by DU is 6.0. Non-native English speakers who hold a post-secondary degree from an institution where English is the only language of instruction and examination or who hold a regionally accredited baccalaureate degree from a U.S. institution are exempt from the TOEFL/IELTS requirement.  Please visit the International Applicant website for a list of TOEFL/IELTS requirements.

4. Personal Statement
A personal statement that describes your interest in religious studies and your career goals is required. The statement, of at least 300 words, should include information concerning your life, education, practical experience, special interests and specific purpose for applying to the University of Denver.  It should also include information regarding which area of specialization you would likely select, and why. The statement should be submitted via upload through the online application process.

5. Writing Sample
An academic writing sample of 3-10 pages is required. Applicants may submit all or part of a paper previously submitted for a course, or may submit another piece of written work. If submitting a section of a longer paper, please provide a brief (one paragraph) abstract (summary) of the larger work from which the excerpt is taken. The writing sample should be submitted via upload through the online application process.

6. Recommendation Letters
Three letters of recommendation are required. At least one should come from a professor or faculty member who can comment on your academic performance and potential. These letters should be solicited and uploaded by recommenders through the online application system.

7. Financial Support
The University of Denver provides financial support through the Department, the University, and federal grants and loans. The Department of Religious Studies offers various forms of financial support including tuition credits and scholarships.  Student loans and work-study positions, which may include research assistant placements, are available to those students who qualify through the University's financial aid office.  Applicants should contact the financial aid office for up-to-date information about the various options.

To be considered for federal financial aid, applicants must hold either U.S. citizenship or permanent residency status. Applicants must submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to be eligible for federal aid. The FAFSA deadline for priority consideration is February 15.  Applicants submitting a complete application by February 15 will receive priority consideration for Department aid. Further information about financial aid can be found on the Office of Financial Aid website.

8. Application Status
We encourage you to be actively engaged in the admission process. You can check your application status online at webCentral .

Mailing Address
Mail official transcripts and any supplemental admission materials not submitted with the online application to:

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

International Applicants
For complete international applicant information, please visit the Office of Graduate Studies International Student Application Information. International applicants are strongly encouraged to have their applications complete at least eight weeks prior to the program's application deadline.