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MasterRecommended
Master of Religious Studies Arts
- Rosemead, United States
- 2 years
- English
- On campus
- Master
About the program
Religious studies master's with Buddhist texts, Meditation and humanistic Buddhism tracks.
Program highlights
- Internship available: no
- Placement support: yes
- Work during study: yes
- Post-study work rights (1 year): yes
- PR pathway friendly: no
What you will learn
- Understand foundational and advanced concepts in Religious Studies (Master of Arts)
- Apply relevant disciplinary methods and ideas
- Analyse questions and evidence in the field
- Communicate findings clearly
- Use research and inquiry approaches where included in the curriculum
- Connect theory with projects or applied work where offered
Career outcomes
- Academic research and education
- Buddhist chaplaincy and spiritual counseling
- Interfaith dialog and religious outreach
- Cultural consultancy and translation
Curriculum
- 36-unit programme over two years with tracks in Buddhist texts and translation
- Mindfulness
- Meditation and mind
- Humanistic Buddhism
- And Chinese Buddhism (Mandarin cohort). Focus on interfaith dialogue
- Textual analysis
- Research writing and ethical leadership. Ends with a capstone project or thesis on original research.
Entry requirements
Academic
- Bachelor degree from an accredited institution
- Statement of purpose
- Transcripts and three recommendation letters. Minimum prior GPA 2.5 for MBA
- 3.0 for MA Psychology
- MA Religious Studies and MDiv. English: TOEFL iBT 79 or IELTS 6.0 (TOEFL 69-78 or IELTS 5.5 admitted conditionally with the placement test). Proof of funds about 26
- 000 USD per year.
Minimum GPA
2.5
Accepted academic background
Bachelor degree from an accredited institution (MS Health Data Analytics also needs basic healthcare knowledge), Statement of purpose, Three letters of recommendation, Transcripts, MFT and MDiv may require an interview, Funds of about 26,000 USD for one academic year
Language tests
- TOEFL iBT 79
- IELTS 6.0
Documents you’ll need
- Academic transcripts
- Qualification certificates if required
- English proficiency evidence if required
- Recommendations or references if required
- Personal statement if required
- Resume or CV if required
- Financial evidence for international study if required
How to apply
- Check requirements and deadlines: Fall June 30 and Spring October 30 and MBA also Summer April 1. Apply online and pay the non-refundable application fee. Upload statement of purpose and transcripts and diploma and three recommendation letters (MBA: resume instead) and English proof (TOEFL iBT 79 / IELTS 6.and proof of funds. Interview for MFT and MDiv if required. Await a decision and usually within three weeks. Follow the After Admissions Checklist for the I-20.
Other costs
| Tuition per year | $14,966 - $15,488 USD |
|---|---|
| Application fee | $100 USD |
| Deposit | _ |
Program details
| Campus | Rosemead (main campus) |
|---|---|
| Faculty or school | University of the West |
| Department | Department of Religious Studies |
| Teaching language | English |
| Credit value | 36 |
| Study pace | Full-time |
| Post-study stay | 1 year |
| Scholarship note | University of the West offers eligible incoming graduate students a competitive Lotus Scholarship of 7000 USD per year for selected graduate programs. Merit and discipline-specific scholarships also exist. Recipients must meet program and selection requirements. |
Intakes and deadlines
Program starts
January 2027
Apply by
No deadline listed
Program starts
August 2027
Apply by
No deadline listed
Frequently asked questions
The program takes 2 years.
Tuition is $14,966 - $15,488 USD per year. The application fee is $100 USD. The estimated living cost is $27,996 USD.
The minimum GPA is 2.5. Accepted language tests: TOEFL iBT 79, IELTS 6.0.