How to Decide Where to Study Religion

 

If your goal is to teach about religion in a college, seminary, or university:

The most important factor in deciding where to go for graduate school is to choose the place where you will do your best work. In the long term, what will make your work as a teacher and a scholar rewarding is the ongoing demand of maintaining excellence. That excellence will receive its best foundation in a challenging graduate education. No school is perfect for every student. Your best work will be done in a department or school with a faculty and student body that has a dedication to serious teaching and scholarship, relevant academic strengths, and available resources for scholarly training. Those resources should include research facilities, foreign language training, and opportunities for students to teach.

Financial considerations are important but should not be the determining factor. While serious indebtedness is never advisable, the difference of several thousands of dollars a year over the five or so years of graduate training compared to the long-term benefit of the quality of the education is negligible.

The best way to learn about a school is to visit it, if possible. If you plan to spend five or so years of your life studying for a Ph.D. it is worth spending some time to visit the school you will attend. If you can, sit in on classes and talk to other graduate students. Current students are often your best guide to the quality of the education.

The master-disciple model of doctoral education can sometimes handicap a student. Students may shift their interest during the course of their graduate work and the best faculty are often quite mobile these days. Choose a department or a school with some breadth so that your training will be as much in your interaction with faculty members who do not serve as your principal advisor and from other smart students working on related issues.

When you talk to admissions personnel, use their expertise to explore generally what school or department is best for you. Most of them regard their job not as selling their school or department but as helping students to make the best choice.

Ask your undergraduate faculty for advice.

Read some articles or books written by faculty at the departments and schools you are considering.

Do not be too swayed by brand names, but also keep in mind that reputation can be of value on the job market.