COURSE CURRICULUM

The Master of Arts (M.A.) in Religious Studies at Queen’s requires students to complete 27.0 units of study, designed to provide both foundational knowledge and specialized training in the field. The program includes the year-long RELS 800 Professional Development Seminar, which features monthly colloquia with professional development sessions and guest speakers, as well as core courses RELS 801 Method in Religious Studies and RELS 802 Theory in Religious Studies. A key component of the program is the final research essay, RELS 898 Master’s Essay, allowing students to conduct in-depth scholarly research on a specific religious tradition or phenomenon. Of the remaining 12.0 units, students must complete at least 3.0 units from a list of Dedicated graduate courses and may take up to 6.0 units from Cross-listed graduate courses, with a minimum of 6.0 units required from the combined list of RELS graduate courses offered in a given year. With the approval of the Graduate Coordinator, students may take up to 6.0 units from cognate departments to complement their studies. Additionally, students who have not previously completed an equivalent course to Queen’s RELS 354 Theory in Religious Studies must take RELS 854 Theory in Religious Studies in addition to the 27.0 units, ensuring all students gain a strong theoretical foundation necessary for advanced research and analysis in religious studies.