• RELG 700: Problems in the Comparative Study of Religion (3 hours)*
• RELG 701: Foundational Readings (3 hours)*
• 12 credit hours in the selected area of specialization**
• 6 hours of course work in one or two of the other area(s) of specialization
• A comprehensive examination
• Reading knowledge of one foreign language, typically in a language of primary importance to research in the student's ara of specialization
• 6 hours of thesis preparation (RELG 799)

*Required during the first year of study unless a postponement is approved by the Director of Graduate Studies.
**Up to 6 hours of pre-approved research language study at the graduate level may be counted toward this 12-hour requirement.

The student's Program of Study is constructed by the major professor and the student in consultation with the Graduate Director. The Program of Study form, which lists all courses that a given student must complete as a part of the degree, is, in effect, a contract between the University and the student, and once approved is binding unless all parties agree to its amendment. The Program of Study form should be completed at the conclusion of the student's second semester of study.

The Program of Study must conform to the degree requirements and include:

1. a minimum of 30 semester hours of graduate credit of which no more than 6 hours may be in thesis preparation, 799. (More than 6 hours of thesis preparation may be taken, but only 6 may be counted toward the required 30 semester hours.)
2. at least half of the credit hours in courses numbered 700 or above, exclusive of 799.
3. only courses whose dates of completion will be no more than six years prior to the satisfaction of all degree requirements.