--- title: Graduate Studies in Religious Studies description: The Graduate Program in Religious Studies at SMU comprises programs of study leading to the M.A. and Ph.D. degrees. image: https://grad.smu.edu/hubfs/religious-studies-outside.jpeg --- [Skip to content](https://grad.smu.edu/graduate-studies-in-religious-studies#main-content) [![SMU logo](https://grad.smu.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/SMU%20logo.png?width=150&height=44&name=SMU%20logo.png "SMU logo")](https://www.smu.edu/) [EXPLORE SMU](https://www.smu.edu/aboutsmu) ## [Moody School of Graduate and Advanced Studies](https://www.smu.edu/moody/) - About Show submenu for About - [About](https://www.smu.edu/moody/about) - [Mission and History](https://www.smu.edu/moody/about/mission-and-history) - [Moody Foundation Gift](https://www.smu.edu/moody/about/moody-foundation-gift) - [Charter](https://www.smu.edu/-/media/Site/Moody/graduate/Moody-School-Charter-Summer-2021-Final.pdf) - [Director of Graduate Studies Handbook](https://www.smu.edu/-/media/Site/Moody/Moody-School-DGS-Handbook-20220811.pdf) - 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[Meet our Ph.D. Fellows](https://www.smu.edu/moody/funding/phd-fellows) - [Ph.D. Health Insurance](https://www.smu.edu/moody/funding/phd-health-insurance) - [Graduate Student Travel Grant](https://www.smu.edu/moody/funding/moody-grad-student-travel-grant) - [Dedman Graduate Student Assembly](https://www.smu.edu/moody/funding/gsa) - About Show submenu for About - [About](https://www.smu.edu/moody/about) - [Mission and History](https://www.smu.edu/moody/about/mission-and-history) - [Moody Foundation Gift](https://www.smu.edu/moody/about/moody-foundation-gift) - [Charter](https://www.smu.edu/-/media/Site/Moody/graduate/Moody-School-Charter-Summer-2021-Final.pdf) - [Director of Graduate Studies Handbook](https://www.smu.edu/-/media/Site/Moody/Moody-School-DGS-Handbook-20220811.pdf) - [Moody Hall](https://www.smu.edu/moody/about/moody-hall) - [Dean's Office](https://www.smu.edu/moody/about/deans-office) - [Graduate Council](https://www.smu.edu/moody/about/graduate-council) - [Contact Us](https://www.smu.edu/moody/about/contact) - [News](https://www.smu.edu/news) Show submenu for News - [News](https://www.smu.edu/news) - [Events](https://calendar.smu.edu/) Show submenu for Events - [Events](https://calendar.smu.edu/) - [Athletics](https://smumustangs.com/) Show submenu for Athletics - [Athletics](https://smumustangs.com/) - [Research](https://www.smu.edu/research) Show submenu for Research - [Rese](https://www.smu.edu/research) - [Bush Center](https://www.smu.edu/bushcenter) Show submenu for Bush Center - [Bush Center](https://www.smu.edu/bushcenter) - [Current Students](https://www.smu.edu/infofor/students) Show submenu for Current Students - [Current Students](https://www.smu.edu/infofor/students) - [Alumni](https://www.smu.edu/alumni) Show submenu for Alumni - [Alumni](https://www.smu.edu/alumni) - [Faculty & Staff](https://www.smu.edu/infofor/faculty-staff) Show submenu for Faculty & Staff - [Faculty & Staff](https://www.smu.edu/infofor/faculty-staff) # Graduate Studies in Religious Studies [View the Degree We Offer](https://grad.smu.edu/graduate-studies-in-religious-studies#degrees-offered) [Degree Offered](https://grad.smu.edu/graduate-studies-in-religious-studies#degrees-offered) [About the Department](https://www.smu.edu/Dedman/Academics/Departments/Religious-Studies/Graduate) [Request More Information](https://grad.smu.edu/graduate-studies-in-religious-studies#send-request) [Apply Now](https://gradadmission.smu.edu/apply/) The primary goal of the PhD in Religious Studies degree program is to prepare persons for academic leadership in the field and hence for professional careers as teacher-scholars in colleges, universities, and schools of theology. We are fortunate to have a first-rate faculty. Faculty members from Perkins School of Theology and from the Department of Religious Studies in Dedman College constitute the faculty of the program. Other departments and research centers in the university, such as the [Cary M. Maguire Center for Ethics and Public Responsibility](http://smu.edu/ethicscenter), the [Center for the Study of Latino Christianity and Religions](https://www.smu.edu/perkins/publicprograms), and the [humanities](https://grad.smu.edu/reanalyzing-our-world-humanities-phds-at-smu) departments of History, Philosophy, and Anthropology, provide additional academic resources for its students. It is supported by the University's extensive library system, especially the renowned [Bridwell Library](http://smu.edu/bridwell), which has distinctive collections in religion and theology and state-of-the-art research facilities. [APPLY NOW](https://gradadmission.smu.edu/apply/) ## We Offer one degree [Religious Studies PhD](https://grad.smu.edu/graduate-studies-in-religious-studies#phd) ![](https://grad.smu.edu/hubfs/r-s-students-1.jpeg) ## Religious Studies PhD - Admission Deadline Application deadline for completed applications is January 6, 2023. If you apply for admission by December 18, 2022, the $75 application fee will be waived.  - Admission Requirements - B.A. or equivalent degree from an accredited institution - Cumulative GPA of 3.00 or above (4.00 scale) - Satisfactory score on General Test of GRE which is ordinarily a combined score on verbal and quantitative sections of 310 or above on the new test, or 1200 or above on the old test. - Current student averages are: verbal 681, quantitative 627, combined 1308, analytical writing 4.5 - Sufficient previous study in religion or related areas to prepare student to complete degree according to schedule. We do not accept any transfer credits. **When English is not an applicant's native language, a satisfactory TOEFL score is also required:** - Internet-based version, 79-80 or better (preferably 100 or better) - Computer-based version 213 or better (preferably 250 or better) - Paper-based version, 550 or better (preferably 600 or better) The M.A. degree and Ph.D. degree are two separate programs. The M.A. is a terminal degree and is not a gateway to receiving a Ph.D. (credits will not be transferred). [Learn more about this degree](https://www.smu.edu/Dedman/Academics/Departments/Religious-Studies/Graduate/phd) [Apply Now](https://gradadmission.smu.edu/apply/) [![Guide-to-Choosing-Applying-Thriving-PhD-Program](https://grad.smu.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/Application-Master-Page/Guide-to-Choosing-Applying-Thriving-PhD-Program.png?width=300&name=Guide-to-Choosing-Applying-Thriving-PhD-Program.png)](https://grad.smu.edu/the-economy-of-everything-why-you-need-a-phd-in-economics) ## Access Our Free Digital Download A Guide to Choosing, Applying for, and Thriving in a Ph.D. Program [![Download Now](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/3974384/0e0633b1-7f3d-406c-ba8e-460c5aa342aa.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/3974384/0e0633b1-7f3d-406c-ba8e-460c5aa342aa) ### Related Blog Articles ## About the department [Send Us A Message](https://grad.smu.edu/graduate-studies-in-religious-studies#send-us-a-message) [Useful Links](https://grad.smu.edu/graduate-studies-in-religious-studies#links)   ## Send Us a Message ## Useful Links [Visit the department website](https://www.smu.edu/Dedman/Academics/Departments/Religious-Studies/Graduate) [Send an Inquiry](https://grad.smu.edu/graduate-studies-in-religious-studies#send-us-a-message) [Learn more about our faculty](https://www.smu.edu/Dedman/Academics/Departments/Religious-Studies/People) [Apply Now](https://gradadmission.smu.edu/apply/) - [Cox School of Business](https://www.smu.edu/cox) - [Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences](https://www.smu.edu/dedman) - [Dedman School of Law](https://www.smu.edu/law) - [Lyle School of Engineering](https://www.smu.edu/lyle) - [Meadows School of the Arts](https://www.smu.edu/meadows) - [Moody School of Graduate and Advanced Studies](https://www.smu.edu/moody) - [Perkins School of Theology](https://www.smu.edu/perkins) - [Simmons School of Education & Human Development](https://www.smu.edu/simmons) - [SMU CAPE](https://www.smu.edu/cape) - [SMU Libraries](https://www.smu.edu/libraries) - [SMU Guildhall](https://www.smu.edu/guildhall) - [Undergraduate Students](https://www.smu.edu/infofor/students) - [Graduate Students](https://www.smu.edu/moody) - [Alumni](https://www.smu.edu/alumni) - [Faculty & Staff](https://www.smu.edu/infofor/faculty-staff) - [Media](https://www.smu.edu/news) - [Parents](https://www.smu.edu/studentaffairs) - [SMU Ignited: Boldly Shaping Tomorrow](https://www.smu.edu/ignited) - [Corporate and Foundation Relations](https://www.smu.edu/corporate-foundation-relations) - [Bush Center](https://www.smu.edu/bushcenter) - [SMU Store](https://smu.bncollege.com/shop/smu/home) - [Academic Calendar](https://www.smu.edu/enrollmentservices/registrar/academiccalendarscoursecatalogs/academiccalendars) - [Academic Ceremonies](https://www.smu.edu/academic-ceremonies) - [Events Calendar](https://calendar.smu.edu/) - [Employment](https://www.smu.edu/businessfinance/hr/workingatsmu) - [Giving to SMU](https://giving.smu.edu/) - [Virtual Tour](https://www.smu.edu/admission/visit/virtualtour) - [SMU Stories](https://www.smu.edu/stories) - [Contact Us](https://www.smu.edu/aboutsmu/contactsmu) - [Maps Directions](https://www.smu.edu/aboutsmu/maps) - [Compliance](https://www.smu.edu/compliance) - [Legal Disclosures](https://www.smu.edu/legaldisclosures) - [Privacy Policy Statement](https://www.smu.edu/legaldisclosures/privacystatement) - [Report Sexual Harassment](https://www.smu.edu/sexualharassment) - [Reporting a Bias Incident](https://www.smu.edu/studentaffairs/get-help/bert) - [SMU Aware](https://www.smu.edu/aware) - [Emergency Preparedness](https://www.smu.edu/businessfinance/risk-management/emergency-management-fire-safety) - [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/smudallas) - [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/smudallas/) - [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/school/smudallas/mycompany/) - [TikTok](https://www.tiktok.com/@smu) - [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbLRmiYkXF2YHOXzIqasjzg) - [X](https://twitter.com/smu/) [![](https://grad.smu.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/SMU%20logo.png?width=140&height=41&name=SMU%20logo.png)](https://smu.edu/) © SOUTHERN METHODIST UNIVERSITY