The Graduate Program in Religious Studies is also known as "MARS," for Master of Arts in Religious Studies. The program is designed to suit the needs and interests of a wide variety of students. Whether one wishes to prepare for doctoral work in religion, to pursue a career in lay ministry or religious education, or to learn more about religion in order to enrich one's personal and/or professional life and activities, the program supplies a broad range of valuable resources.
Coursework in the MARS program will give the student…
- a theoretical foundation for understanding religious phenomena in many traditions,
- skills for doing research and for critically assessing religion,
- knowledge of both Christian and non-Christian traditions, and
- the ability to develop specialized areas of study that will support the student’s academic and professional goals.
Students take three required courses (9 credits) on modern theories of religion, modern interpretation of the Bible, and research in the study of religion, and one required elective (3 credits) on a non-Christian religion. In addition, they take seven elective courses (21 credits) of their choice from the available offerings. In the elective courses, students may choose to concentrate in a particular area of study or to pursue a broader program of sampling from various areas. Students complete the program by writing a 3-credit masters thesis.
For more information, please contact:
Dr. Christel Manning
Director of MARS Program
Administration Building, Room 202
Phone: 203-371-7733
Fax: 203-371-7731
Email: ManningC@sacredheart.edu
For graduate admissions, please contact:
Alexis Haakonsen
Office of Graduate Admissions
Curtis Hall, Second Floor
Phone: 203-365-7619
Fax: 203-365-4732
Email: gradstudies@sacredheart.edu