Religious Studies Concentration

Inquiry into religion as an organizing principle, and frequent source of conflict in society

Catalog Year: 2023-2024

Banner Code: LA-MA-ACEL-MAIS-RELI

The University Catalog is the authoritative source for information on program requirements and courses. The Schedule of Classes is the authoritative source for information on classes scheduled for this semester. See the Schedule for the most up-to-date information and see Patriot web to register for classes. Requirements may be different for earlier catalog years. See the University Catalog archives.

Bachelor's Degree (any)/Interdisciplinary Studies, Accelerated MAIS (Religious Studies Concentration)

Overview

Highly-qualified Mason undergraduates may be admitted to the bachelor's/accelerated master's program and obtain a BA/BS in a chosen major and a Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies (MAIS) with a concentration in Religious Studies in an accelerated time-frame after satisfactory completion of a minimum of 144 credits.

If the students has not majored in religious studies it is preferred, thought not required, that the student have a minor in religious studies.

See AP.6.7 Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's Degrees for policies related to this program.

Students in an accelerated degree program must fulfill all university requirements for the master's degree. For policies governing all graduate degrees, see AP.6 Graduate Policies.

BAM Pathway Admission Requirements

Applicants to all graduate programs at George Mason University must meet the admission standards and application requirements for graduate study as specified in Graduate Admissions Policies and Bachelor's Accelerated Master's Degree policies.  For information specific to this accelerated master's program, see Application Requirements and Deadlines on the departmental website.

Students will be considered for admission into the BAM Pathway after completion of a minimum of 60 credits, with a minimum overall GPA of 3.50.

Students who are accepted in the BAM Pathway will be allowed to register for graduate level courses after successful completion of a minimum of 75 undergraduate credits.

Accelerated Master's Admissions Requirements

Students already admitted in the BAM Pathway will be admitted to the MAIS program, if they have met the following criteria, as verified on the Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's Transition form:

  • Minimum overall GPA of 3.50
  • Minimum grade of B in each advanced standing course
  • Successfully meeting Mason's requirements for undergraduate degree conferral (graduation) and completing the application for graduation.

Accelerated Pathway Requirements

To maintain the integrity and quality of both the undergraduate and graduate degree programs, undergraduate students interested in taking graduate courses must choose from the following:

Advanced Standing courses (up to 12 credits with a minimum grade of B in each)  
RELI 600 Interdisciplinary Pathways in the Study of Religion 3
RELI 630 Theories and Methods in the Study of Religion 3
RELI 632 Interreligious Dialogue 3
RELI 633 Issues in Religious Ethics 3
RELI 640 Religion and Law 3
RELI 591 Special Topics in Religious Studies 3
Reserve Graduate Credit courses (up to 6 credits) taken while an undergraduate and will only count for the graduate degree program  
RELI 600 Interdisciplinary Pathways in the Study of Religion 3
RELI 630 Theories and Methods in the Study of Religion 3
RELI 632 Interreligious Dialogue 3
RELI 633 Issues in Religious Ethics 3
RELI 640 Religion and Law 3
RELI 591 Special Topics in Religious Studies 3

For more detailed information on coursework and timeline requirements see AP.6.7 Bachelor's Accelerated Master's Degree policies.