Whats the difference between pursuing an MA and a Ph.D. in Religion or Religious Studies?
Unlike some other fields, the degree that equips you professionally in the discipline of Religious Studies is ultimately a Ph.D., not a Masters. That is, if your field is in Religious Studies then you will simply not become eligible to be on the faculty of a University with anything less than a Ph.D. In some cases, depending on your undergraduate courses and record, this will first require you to pursue a Masters degree. (There are some schools that specialize in bringing you to this next stage.) In many Ph.D. programs, you will receive a Masters degree by default. This is not generally regarded to be an impressive accomplishment by the faculty, but rather an indication that you are where you should be on your journey towards Preliminary Examinations—and eventually a dissertation. It is possible to receive what is known as a “terminal” Masters degree, in which case you would leave the program upon writing a Masters thesis. Predominantly, those who receive “terminal” Masters degrees a
