The MA in Interreligious Studies degree program will prepare you to be able to examine contemporary issues through critical yet appreciative engagement with the texts and theological/philosophical perspectives of multiple religious traditions. Graduates of this program can pursue doctorates in religious studies with a focus on interreligious issues.
This program may be a good fit for you if you are interested in pursuing a career as a:
- Professor in a seminary, divinity school, or college
- Religion or theology teacher in a private school or church
- Public theologian (i.e., a theologian whose primary audience is the society or wider culture)
- Leader of an interreligious-oriented ministry or organization
Concentration Learning Outcomes
In addition to achieving the core MA degree learning outcomes, a graduate of the Interreligious Studies program will be able to:
- interpret a selected passage from the Hebrew Bible, New Testament, Qur’an, and/or Buddhist scriptures from multiple historical and contemporary perspectives and using one or more critical methods, demonstrating understanding of the influence of their own situatedness on that interpretation;
- critically interpret, analyze and reflect on a selected Christian, pagan, Islamic, or Jewish theological text or perspective in its historical context as well as through the lens of modern questions and challenges; and
- construct a theory of religion and articulate the ways in which it shapes their religious and theological commitments, as well as their vocational practice or academic study.
United’s MA at a Glance
- 36 credits
- Eleven 3-credit courses plus a 3-credit thesis, or ten 3-credit courses plus a 6-credit thesis
- Can be completed within two years if you take a full-time course load of 9 credits per trimester and complete your thesis in one trimester
- All MA concentrations can be completed entirely via distance learning; many courses can be taken completely asynchronously
Program Course Guide Sheet for Academic Year 2025–2026
| PRIMARY OUTCOME |
NUMBER OF COURSES | COURSES |
| Theology | 2 |
Invitation to Theology: Truth, Goodness, and Beauty
Choose one:
History of Christian Theologies
History of Modern Theologies
Unitarian and Universalist Theologies
|
| Textual Hermeneutics | 2 |
Introduction to Religious Texts
One 2000-level Religious Texts course |
| Ethics and Justice | 2 |
Comparative Religious Ethics
Choose one:
Queer and Trans Theologies
Black and Womanist Theologies
|
| Concentration | 5 |
World Religions
Choose two:
Hebrew Bible
New Testament
Buddhist Scriptures
Introduction to the Qur’an
Choose one:
What is Religion?
Theologies of Religions and Interreligious Dialogue
Choose one:
Global Christianities & Intra-religious Diversity
Contemporary Paganism
Islam: History and Theology
Modern Jewish Theology
|
| Research and Communication | 1 |
MA Thesis
|
| DEGREE TOTAL |
12 |
Learn More
Want to learn more about our MA in Interreligious Studies? Fill out the form below and someone from our Admissions team will be in touch soon.
Frequently Asked Questions About the MA in Interreligious Studies
What is a Master of Arts in Interreligious Studies?
The Master of Arts in Interreligious Studies at United Theological Seminary is an academic graduate degree focused on the critical, comparative study of religious traditions, theologies, and texts from around the world. Rather than training students for a specific professional practice, the degree emphasizes scholarly analysis, historical and contemporary theology, and theories of religion that support deep engagement across religious differences.
Is the MA in Interreligious Studies an interreligious chaplaincy program?
No. The MA in Interreligious Studies is an academic degree and is not part of United’s Interreligious Chaplaincy program. While chaplaincy is a professional practice, this MA is designed for rigorous academic study of religions, theology, and interreligious engagement.
How is the MA in Interreligious Studies different from an interreligious chaplaincy program?
An interreligious chaplaincy program is oriented toward professional formation, applied competencies, and supervised practice in spiritual care settings. The MA in Interreligious Studies, by contrast, emphasizes critical scholarship, theological analysis, and comparative study of religious traditions to prepare students for academic, public-facing, or leadership-oriented roles.
Who is the MA in Interreligious Studies designed for?
This degree is designed for students pursuing academic careers, public theology, religious leadership, teaching, writing, nonprofit leadership, or other roles that require deep interreligious literacy and theological analysis.
Can the MA in Interreligious Studies support students interested in chaplaincy-related work?
Yes, at an academic level. While it does not provide professional chaplaincy training, the MA offers strong intellectual and theological foundations that may complement separate professional formation in chaplaincy or spiritual care.
What religious traditions are studied in the MA in Interreligious Studies?
Students at United engage texts, histories, and theological perspectives from Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, and other global religious traditions, developing advanced skills in interreligious analysis and comparative theology.
What skills will I gain from this MA that may be relevant to interreligious leadership roles?
Graduates develop skills in critical interpretation of sacred texts, theological reasoning across traditions, theory of religion, ethical reflection, and public-facing religious discourse; all skills applicable to academic, educational, nonprofit, and leadership contexts.
Can the MA in Interreligious Studies be completed online?
Yes! The MA degree can be completed entirely online via distance learning, with many courses offered asynchronously, making it accessible for students balancing academic study with professional or personal commitments.
How long does it take to complete the MA in Interreligious Studies?
The 36-credit program can typically be completed in as little as two years with a full-time course load, including completion of the required thesis.