MA and AMRS FAQs

The cleanest way to differentiate between the purpose of the two-year Master of Arts in Divinity (MA) from the one-year Master of Arts in Religious Studies (AMRS) is to describe the MA as a research-focused degree and the AMRS as ideal for those who are looking to develop a broad foundation in the academic study of religion, whether for reasons of professional development or educational enrichment. Historically, many in the MA have gone on to pursue PhD training, whereas the AMRS is typically not considered adequate preparation to apply to PhD programs.
However, the lines between these goals are often blurry insofar as education at the Divinity School provides a framework of knowledge and analysis that benefits our graduates in all kinds of career paths—whether a first full-time job, a returning job, or the job after the job. In addition, various practical concerns, such as scholarship availability and the need to pursue a degree with us on a part-time basis, may factor into specific decisions. Check out the program pages for the MA and AMRS and fill out our Inquiry Form to make sure you’re included in program and application updates. Still have questions about how to proceed? Contact divinityadmissions@uchicago.edu or schedule a conversation.
Interested in religious leadership or community engagement? Please take a look at our three-year Master of Divinity (MDiv) instead.

In both the MA and AMRS programs, students are able to pursue language work as part of their elective coursework. MA students, in particular, often dedicate substantial time to language work in preparation for the language competency exam (ARCA) or research course. MA students may also use elective coursework for language study to support admission to the PhD program.

Yes. One of the great things about pursuing graduate education at the University of Chicago is that there are rarely restrictions on taking courses in other academic units (pending pre-req expectation or instructor consent). Students in the Divinity School may take courses in any of the other graduate divisions and professional schools as part of their elective coursework. Additionally, some courses that fulfill the faculty committee distribution requirements are taught by faculty with primary appointments in other units. In addition, all language coursework counts toward the fifteen-course degree requirement.

MA and AMRS students do not formally declare an area of study, but they must meet distribution requirements to gain a thorough grounding in the academic study of religion. However, students can use the flexibility of the curricula to focus on one specific area in more depth. For those interested in PhD programs in the future, it is often wise to take courses with multiple faculty members in that area.

As PhD admissions are highly selective and the pursuit of a PhD—while often transformative—has opportunity costs, it is wise to cultivate multiple following paths. Graduates of our programs go on to successful careers in consulting, non-profit administration, secondary education, community engagement, journalism, advocacy, and academia (see our outcomes). The myriad next steps for our graduates result from an education that trains them to ask big questions and develop the critical skills needed to address the problems and observations that initially led them to study religion. Even if the route from Swift Hall to a specific job title proves elusive, graduates leave the Divinity School with the agency to navigate their particular paths, equipped with refined questions and enhanced understanding born from study as part of the Divinity School Community.
As students navigate next steps, we also provide support and guidance in the form of skill-building workshops, panels with experts and practitioners, internship opportunities, and dedicated professional advising from both the Divinity School and UChicagoGRAD. These resources, supported by initiatives like the Colman Program for the Craft of Teaching, Leadership, and Service and the Martin Marty Center for the Public Understanding of Religion, are constantly adapting to the needs of students and the world around us, but always aim to provide frameworks and applicable skills that demystify whatever comes next.

In addition to the career support just mentioned, all students are assigned a primary faculty advisor, primarily based on their subject area or methodological interest, with whom they meet to discuss their academic trajectory and course selection. Students can request a change of advisor for any reason in consultation with the Dean of Students Office. The Dean of Students Office and the Director of MA Studies also provide advising for issues relating to degree requirements and registration. The BONDS Peer Mentor Program offers practical guidance and built-in community for Divinity School students, helping to make the University more legible and welcoming, no matter the individual's need or question.

Due to curricular requirements, all Divinity School programs begin in Autumn Quarter. Enrolling AMRS, MA, and MDiv students may defer their enrollment to the following Autumn only, if necessary. Two-year deferrals are never permitted.
Students who defer enrollment should know that they are not guaranteed the same scholarship package as initially offered. Since total scholarship funding is subject to change and because individual awards are decided with reference to that year’s application pool, scholarship offers for students who defer enrollment will be reevaluated in the admission cycle for the following year. However, these students will also have the opportunity to update their application as warranted to ensure their application is as strong as possible for the sake of scholarship reconsideration.
Please note that students in all programs must complete at least one quarter of enrollment to be eligible for a Leave of Absence from the University.