Program Requirements

Advising & Mentoring

All entering students meet with the program advisor quarterly to help navigate academic requirements. In the first quarter, students also identify a faculty mentor, who may ultimately become their dissertation advisor. 

90 Quarter Hours of Academic Credit

This normally includes 82 hours of courses and 8 hours of dissertation credits. The academic year is divided into three quarters of 10 to 11 weeks each. Most classes receive 4-5 quarter hours of credit, meaning that they meet that many hours per week in the classroom and at least double that many hours of work is expected out of the classroom. Summer is a separate, optional term.

Within the 90 hours, students take 6 required classes (24 quarter hours):

• RLGN 4000: Theories and Methods in the Study of Religion
• RLGN 5010: Lived Religion Colloquium
• RLGN 5020: Conceptual Approaches to Religion Colloquium
• RLGN 5030: Text, Image, and Artifact Colloquium
• RLGN 5000: Pedagogy and the Teaching of Religion
• RLGN 6000: Dissertation Proposal Seminar

...and at least 42 quarter hours of electives:

Students may take any graduate-level course that has an RGLN designator and any other graduate-level course approved for the JDP.  Most relevant courses are listed in the DU Course Catalog under the subjects: 

• Religion
• Religious Studies
• Judaic Studies
• Philosophy
• Anthropology
• Art History
• Communication
• Education
• English
• International Studies
• Media, Film & Journalism Studies
• Social Work

For a sample schedule, click here.

Modern Language

Typically French, German, or Spanish, this language allows the student to read scholarship in the field of religious studies. To complete this requirement, all students take a reading comprehension and translation exam at a level equivalent to two years of college language. 

Comprehensive Exams (16 Quarter hours)

Comprehensive exams are taken at the end of the course work. These written exams are designed to test the student’s knowledge of foundational concepts, methods, and bibliographies in religious studies as well as the student’s specific areas of focus. There are four exams, each administered within the context of a four-credit comprehensive review class.  Together, the exams comprise a major component of the program. Passing them will be recognized as a milestone in working toward the degree. 

Dissertation (8 Quarter Hours)

Normally researched and written within 2-5 years after advancement to candidacy under the guidance of the chosen dissertation advisor and committee.

See examples of past dissertation topics

Residency and Time Limits

The JDP is a residential program. Although a few courses are offered online, this is not a distance learning program and all students must be in residence for three years. Full-time status requires enrollment in at least eight credit hours per quarter, and the completion of course work, including comprehensive exams and the dissertation proposal, within 3 years. All students have a 7-year time limit from the start of course work.