Georgetown University

What you'll study

The programme combines advanced coursework, language and methodological training, comprehensive examinations and a sustained, original dissertation. Core topics include history of religions, theories of religion, interpretive methods, and research design, while students choose specialised fields such as biblical studies, historical and systematic theology, ethics, comparative religion, Islam and Muslim studies, Judaism, Asian religions, religion and politics, or religion and culture.

• Coursework: seminars in theoretical approaches to religion, historiography, and contemporary debates in the study of religion.
• Methods and languages: training in qualitative and historical methods and required competence in primary-source languages appropriate to the student’s research (for example Greek, Hebrew, Arabic, Latin, Sanskrit, or modern languages).
• Comprehensive examinations: written and/or oral exams to demonstrate breadth and depth in the chosen fields.
• Dissertation: an original, book‑length research project developed under faculty supervision and defended before a committee.
• Teaching experience: opportunities to teach undergraduate courses and gain pedagogical training as part of professional preparation.

Entry requirements

Applicants are expected to hold a strong academic record in a related discipline, typically a master's degree in religious studies, theology, or a closely related humanistic or social science field; highly qualified applicants with an outstanding bachelor’s degree and significant preparation may also be considered. Typical application materials include:

• Transcripts demonstrating strong prior academic performance.
• A substantive research proposal outlining dissertation interests and questions.
• An academic writing sample (for example, a term paper or MA thesis) that demonstrates analytic and scholarly ability.
• Letters of recommendation from academic referees who can speak to the applicant’s research potential.
• Evidence of language preparation or a plan for acquiring required research languages.

Applicants should consult the department for specific procedural details and any standardised test policies; some applicants may also be invited to interview with faculty.

Career prospects

Graduates pursue a range of careers that draw on advanced skills in research, critical thinking, textual and historical analysis, and teaching. Common pathways include:

• Academic careers as postdoctoral researchers, lecturers and tenure‑track faculty in departments of religion, theology, humanities and related interdisciplinary programmes.
• Research positions in think tanks, policy centres and institutes that address religion’s role in public life, human rights, migration and international affairs.
• Curatorial, archival and educational roles in museums, libraries and cultural heritage organisations.
• Leadership and research roles in non‑governmental organisations, faith-based organisations and interfaith initiatives.
• Publishing, journalism, and public scholarship focused on religion, ethics and society.

Why study at Georgetown University

Georgetown’s position in Washington, D.C., provides direct access to a network of policy institutions, international organisations and archives, which is especially valuable for research at the intersection of religion and public life. The university’s Jesuit intellectual tradition emphasises rigorous critical inquiry and ethical reflection across disciplines, and students benefit from engagement with faculty whose research spans historical, textual and contemporary approaches.

Scholars in the programme can draw on university resources such as major research libraries and specialised centres focused on religion, peace, and public affairs, as well as interdisciplinary collaborations across humanities, international relations and ethics. Doctoral students are supported through mentoring and opportunities to teach, present at conferences and collaborate on research projects that prepare them for a variety of scholarly and public-facing careers.