Northwestern University Fully Funded PhD in Religious Studies
PhD @Northwestern University posted 2 weeks agoJob Description
Northwestern University offers a fully funded Ph.D. program in Religious Studies through its Department of Religious Studies. This program provides comprehensive financial support to admitted doctoral students, enabling them to focus on their academic and research pursuits.
Program Overview
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Degree: Ph.D. in Religious Studies
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Institution: Northwestern University
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Department: Department of Religious Studies
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Program Structure: Full-time, research-intensive, typically completed in 5–6 years
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Research Areas:
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American Religions
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Hinduism
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Buddhism
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Islam
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Judaism
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Christianity
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Comparative Religion
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The program emphasizes interdisciplinary training, offering a comprehensive curriculum and opportunities for students to engage in cutting-edge research under the mentorship of nationally and internationally renowned faculty. Students are encouraged to take courses both within and outside the department, allowing for a broad and flexible academic experience. The curriculum includes a two-quarter sequence in theories and methods in the study of religion and at least one course in comparative study of religion. Students also have the opportunity to participate in The Graduate School’s Interdisciplinary Cluster Initiative program.
Funding Package
All admitted Ph.D. students receive comprehensive financial support, which includes:
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Tuition and Fees: Full coverage for five academic years.
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Stipend: Competitive annual stipend of $46,356 for the 2025–26 academic year.
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Summer Stipend: Funding for five summers of study.
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Health Insurance: Fully subsidized health insurance coverage.
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U-Pass: Public transportation pass for the Chicago area.
The funding package typically includes two years of fellowship support (usually the first and fifth years) and three years of graduate assistantships, where students serve as teaching or research assistants. Additional funding for a sixth year is available on a competitive basis. Students are also encouraged to apply for external funding opportunities.
Admission Requirements
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Academic Background: A bachelor’s or master’s degree in religious studies or a related field from an accredited institution. Applicants should have significant background in their proposed field of specialization and have begun study of relevant languages.
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Application Materials:
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Completed online application form through The Graduate School (TGS) of Northwestern University.
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Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended.
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Three letters of recommendation.
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Statement of purpose detailing research interests and career goals.
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Resume or curriculum vitae (CV).
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Writing sample demonstrating scholarly work.
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TOEFL or IELTS scores for non-native English speakers.
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Please note that GRE scores are not required for admission to the Ph.D. program in Religious Studies.
