The University offers two doctoral programs:

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Religious Studies with an emphasis in Buddhism: This is for advanced research students specializing in the comparative study of Buddhism in relation to another religion, or the intensive study of an aspect of Buddhism, leading to a dissertation. The Ph.D. in Religious Studies is a research degree that prepares students to work at the university level. Research, writing and lecturing skills are developed to the level necessary to participate in professional academic discourse.

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Religious Studies with an emphasis in Comparative Religions: This is for advanced research students specializing in the comparative study of Religions. It prepares students to work at the university level. Research, writing and lecturing skills are developed to the level necessary to participate in professional academic discourse.

A doctoral degree is awarded on the basis of evidence that the recipient possesses knowledge of a broad field of learning and expert mastery of a particular area of concentration within it.

Admission Requirements for the Doctoral Programs

1. A B.A. in Religious Studies, Theology, Philosophy or equivalent from an accredited university.  If the B.A. is in a different field, the student must have at least an MA in Religious Studies, Theology Philosophy or equivalent.  If neither criteria can be met, the student cannot be admitted into the Ph.D. program.  Student may be admitted into the M.A. programs, but must then meet the M.A. admission requirements.
2. An official transcript from the institutions/universities where highest degree awarded or last attended;
3. Copy of diplomas for all degrees earned;
4. Verification of English proficiency (for International Students or non-native English-speaking students)
   • Official TOEFL score report with a minimum score of 79 on Internet Based Test (iBT), 213 on the Computer Based Test (CBT) or 550 on the Paper Based Test (PBT). This is applicable only to international students who were educated at institutions where English was not the main language of instruction. In general, all international applicants admitted to the program will also be required to take the English Placement Test administered by the ESL / Academic English Program.
   • or; official IELTS score report with a minimum score of  6.0.  This is applicable only to international students who were educated at institutions where English was not the main language of instruction. In general, all international applicants admitted to the program will also be required to take the English Placement Test administered by the ESL / Academic English Program.
   • Applicants who are not international students and whose native language is not English are required to take an English Placement Test administered by the ESL / Academic English Program.  
   • Based on their score on the English Placement Test, students may either enter their degree program directly or be required to further improve their English skills by enrolling in Academic English courses, such as ENGL 100A, English 100B, or other suitable courses. These students usually may concurrently enroll in two courses in their major according to departmental advisement.
   • Students with three or more years of successful participation in a college or university academic program where English was the main language of instruction are not required to submit a TOEFL score, IELTS score or take the English Placement Test. 
5. Three letters of recommendation written by people qualified to assess the applicant’s abilities and academic promise.  Letters are to be sent by those making recommendations directly to the Office of Admissions.
6. A typed, double-spaced essay of 400-500 words in English, written by the applicant describing his/her personal goals and aspirations, achievements, educational and career objectives and stating how enrollment at the University of the West would further those objectives.
7. Copy of MA Thesis (Only applicable to students who have completed an M.A. in Religious Studies, Theology, Philosophy or equivalent).
8. A non-refundable application fee of $100;
9. Completed Financial Sponsor Agreement or Certification of Financial Resources with an official Bank Verification (international students only);
10. Copies of Passport/Visa/I-94 (international students only);
11. Copies of previous I-20 (transferring international students only).

Admission will be on the basis of an evaluation of academic records, the essay and letters of recommendation by the Admission Committee consisting of the Dean of Academic Affairs, the Chair and/or Assistant Chair of Religious Studies, and the Office of Admissions. 

Graduation Requirements for the Doctoral Programs

1. A minimum of 63 post-baccalaureate semester units in graduate courses as specified for each candidate by the Doctoral Committee appointed by the Dean of Academic Affairs; no more than 30 semester units in graduate courses may be transferred from another recognized university; for course and distribution requirements, see Section 6 below;
2. Fulfillment of the language requirements;
3. A minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.0;
4. A Pass (P) in the Preliminary Examination on the student’s mastery of fundamental knowledge of the discipline when he/she has completed 18 units of doctoral course work;
5. A Pass in the Candidacy Examination, taken when the student has completed a minimum of 51 units of doctoral course work;
6. A research dissertation demonstrating critical judgment, intellectual synthesis, creativity, and skill in written communication.

Progress through the doctoral program is determined both by course work and by the successful completion of Preliminary, Candidacy and qualifying examinations. As a means of tailoring the program to the needs and interests of individual students, the number and content of these examinations will be personally determined for each student on an individual and ongoing basis by the Doctoral Committee. Failure to successfully complete any qualifying examination after two attempts in a row may result in termination of the student’s enrollment in the program.

Important Note

Prior to the beginning of the semester in which an advanced degree is to be conferred, the student must have advanced to candidacy for that degree and should have received formal notice confirming candidacy from the Dean of Academic Affairs.  The student should consult the departmental graduate advisor to determine which degree requirements, if any, have not yet been satisfied.

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Religious Studies

The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Religious Studies is an advanced research degree meant for those specializing in the comparative study of Buddhism in relation to another religion or the intensive study of an aspect of Buddhism, leading to a dissertation. 

Residence Requirement

The Ph.D. degree requires a minimum of three years of full-time graduate education or the equivalent in part-time study.  Four to six years of full-time academic work beyond the bachelor’s degree typically is required to complete the degree.  After finishing all course work, but before submitting his or her Dissertation, a student must keep his or her registration alive by paying the registration and library fees until his or her Dissertation is completed.  Failure to maintain registration may interfere with residence requirements and lead to lapse of Candidacy Status.

Language Requirement

• Emphasis in Buddhist Studies: 12 units of study of a Buddhist Canonical language (i.e. Chinese, Pali, Sanskrit, Tibetan) to a level of competence needed to read and translate a sutra text, and 6 units of study of a research language (i.e. French, German or Japanese).  Language courses below the 500 series, while covering these language requirements, are not counted as part of the 63 post-baccalaureate semester units required for the Ph.D.   Students are expected to begin fulfilling their language requirements in the first year of coursework.  Students who already possess reading proficiency in one of these languages can fulfill the requirement by passing a special examination. 
• Emphasis in Comparative Religious Studies: 12 units of study in one research language and 6 units of study in another research language (e.g. French, German). Language courses below the 500 series, while covering these language requirements, are not counted as part of the 63 post-baccalaureate semester units required for the Ph.D.   Students are expected to begin fulfilling their language requirements in the first year of coursework.  Students who already possess reading proficiency in one of these languages can fulfill the requirement by passing a special examination. 

NOTE: STUDENTS DETERMINE WITH THE HELP OF THEIR ADVISOR WHICH LANGUAGES THEY SHOULD STUDY.

Preliminary Examination

(Not applicable to students who have successfully completed an M.A. Thesis in Religious Studies, Theology, Philosophy or equivalent.  Students who have completed an M.A. Thesis need only take the Candidacy Examination)

When the student has completed a minimum of 18 units of doctoral course work, he or she must petition in writing their counselor to take the Preliminary Examination.  The student’s petition must contain the following:

1. The topic of the 35-45 page research paper.  This paper must represent scholarly analysis and research relating to one or more courses taken by the candidate;
2. The names of three Professors to sit on the student’s Doctoral Committee;
3. Desired date of the oral examination by the Doctoral Committee.

The research paper must be submitted to the student’s advisor at least two (2) weeks prior to the date of the oral examination.

When the candidate has successfully demonstrated a high level of scholarship, the Doctoral Committee will advise him/her either to proceed to study for the Candidacy Examination or, where necessary, to appear for one or more Qualifying Examinations after further study. As a means of tailoring the program to the needs and interests of individual students, the number and content of these qualifying examinations will be personally determined for each student on an individual and ongoing basis by the Doctoral Committee. Failure to successfully complete an examination in two attempts in a row may result in termination of the student’s enrollment in the program.

Candidacy Examination

When the candidate has completed a minimum of 51 units of doctoral course work, has fulfilled the language requirements, and has passed the Preliminary Examination and all qualifying examinations required by the Doctoral Committee, he or she must petition in writing their counselor to take the Candidacy Examination.  The student’s petition must contain the following:

1. The names of the three members of the student’s Doctoral Committee.  At least two of the three committee members must be current faculty in University of the West.
2. The three subject fields for the examinations, to be determined individually between the student and members of the Doctoral Committee.
3. Desired date of the oral examination by the Doctoral Committee.

The field examinations will be written.  Students are expected to consult with their committee members to prepare reading lists for each of the three field examinations, which will serve as the basis for the examination questions.  The examinations will take place over a two-week period, and must be taken onsite at the University of the West campus.  Each examination will take three hours, and students will not be allowed to consult any books, notes, or the Internet during the examination.  Field examinations will be graded “pass,” “fail,” or “pass with distinction.”  If a student should fail an examination, faculty will decide if and when it may be repeated; additional work may be required in order to retake an examination.

Students are recommended for the advancement to candidacy by unanimous vote of the Doctoral Committee.

The Report on Candidacy Examination for Doctoral Degrees must be signed by the Committee at the time the Candidacy Examination is concluded.

Following a unanimous favorable vote of the Committee, the student will be advanced to candidacy upon payment of the $100 Candidacy Fee. 

Candidacy will lapse automatically if the student loses graduate standing by academic disqualification or failure to comply with the University policy on continuous registration.

A readmitted student who was a candidate must again advance to candidacy and thereafter enroll as a candidate for at least one academic semester before the degree may be conferred.

Dissertation Status

Upon being granted candidacy status, the candidate will be ready for the dissertation phase.  A Ph.D. student is required to register for REL 710 (at least 12 units) while working on his/her proposal/dissertation.

Immediately after completing the Candidacy Examination, the successful candidate will be expected to begin work on their dissertation proposal.  In the proposal, the student will outline his/her proposed dissertation project, which is expected to be an original piece of research, based on primary sources, that makes a relevant contribution to the student’s field of study.  The proposal should contain sufficient detail on the project, including: a substantial explanation of the central research problem; a review of previous scholarship on the topic and a discussion of the proposed contributions to the field that this dissertation is expected to make; an account of the research methodology to be employed and the sources to be utilized in the dissertation research; a provisional outline of the form that the finished dissertation will take, including chapter divisions; and a preliminary bibliography of both primary and secondary sources.  The cover sheet of the proposal should contain the names of the three members of the student’s Doctoral Committee, and it is expected that the student will confirm these members’ willingness to serve on the Doctoral Committee prior to submitting the prospectus. 

Once the proposal has been submitted, it will be reviewed by the members of the student’s Doctoral Committee, and the student will be asked to present their proposal and respond to questions before their committee members.  After the proposal is submitted, the committee will decide whether it is to be accepted, accepted with revisions, or rejected.

The Doctoral Committee supervises the student’s program, approves the dissertation and conducts the final oral examination.  The chair of the Doctoral Committee is the member of the faculty responsible for providing primary guidance for the student’s dissertation.  Ordinarily, the final oral examination will be given just prior to completion of the dissertation and while the student is in residence during a regular academic session, and will be open to all members of the academic community.

After approval by the Doctoral Committee, the student will make any final revisions necessary and submit at least two (2) copies to the University of the West Library for binding. 

Submission to UWest Library and Binding Guidelines

The University of the West Library collects copies of all Ph.D. dissertations completed by UWest graduate students, binds them, and catalogues them for inclusion in the University collection.  The student pays for the binding.  Students are urged to consult with their advisors well in advance of final dissertation/research project preparation on any departmental need for additional copies.

All dissertations must conform to the following UWest Library submission guidelines:

1. Two identical loose-leaf copies must be submitted to the Library, one for circulation and inter-library loan purposes and one for archival purposes;
2. Use 8 1/2 inch, acid-free, 20-24lb., white, at least 25% cotton paper.  Examples of acceptable paper brands: Crane’s Thesis Paper, Permalife, Perma-Dur, Hollinger Acid-Free.  Do not punch holes in the margins;
3. At least one copy must contain the original signatures of the three members of the Examiners Committee.  This copy will function as the Library’s archival copy, which constitutes the official copy of the dissertation/research project;
4. Submit the copies in a covered box in order to reduce the possibility of damage or loss (Boxes of this kind can be purchased from copy shops, such as Kinko’s).
5. Attach a check or money order for made out to the University of the West with “Dissertation/Thesis Binding” written in the memo line.  For the current cost of binding please consult the Librarian.

(The Library will bind additional copies for the student’s personal use for an additional charge.  When the additional copies return from the bindery, the Library will contact the student by phone and/or mail and request the copies’ prompt pick-up at the Library.  The total cost of binding may be submitted in one check.)

The final copy must meet the University’s requirements for style, format, and appearance before the degree can be conferred.  Reports must be filed by the deadline published in the semester Schedule of Classes in order for them to be reviewed and accepted in time for the degree to be conferred in that semester. 

Course Requirements for the Ph.D. in Religious Studies

Core Courses (9 units) (to be taken during the first two semesters):

REL 600 History and Theory of the Study of Religion (3)
REL 601 Seminar on Historical and Textual Methodologies (3)
XSREL 607 Research Methods (3)

Goals
Students will acquire knowledge of the tools and theories used for the advanced academic study of religion. They will gain practical experience in the application of these tools

Student Learning Outcomes
Students will be able to do the following:

1. Explain and apply different theories of religion to their academic studies;
2. Be able to discuss and understand the complex issues raised by the questions “What is History?” and “What is a Text?”
3. Engage in doctoral level research and writing.
4. Describe the limits of human knowledge and what this means for the human quest for meaning.

Languages (1^st Language 12 units; 2^nd Language 6 units):

Students must begin fulfilling their language requirements during their first year of coursework or as soon as the relevant courses are offered.

Goals
Students focused on Buddhist Studies will acquire intermediate working knowledge in a Buddhist canonical languages.  They will also gain basic knowledge of a second language.

Student focused on Comparative Religious Studies will acquire intermediate knowledge of a research language.  They will also gain basic knowledge of a second language.

Student Learning Outcomes
Students focused on Buddhist Studies will be able to do the following:

1. Express an intermediate understanding of the grammar, script,  and vocabulary of one of the four Buddhist canonical languages.
2. Be able to read more advanced Buddhist sutras with the help of a dictionary.
3. Have a basic knowledge of the grammar, script, and vocabulary of a second language.

Students focused on Comparative Religious Studies will be able to do the following:

1. Express an intermediate understanding of the grammar, script,  and vocabulary of the chosen research language;
2. Be able to read more advanced texts in the chosen research language with the help of a dictionary.
3. Have a basic knowledge of the grammar, script,  and vocabulary of a second language.

Additional Course Requirements (42 units):

NOTE: Additional courses are to be chosen by the Ph.D. student in consultation with their advisor.

Emphasis in Buddhism:

Students must complete 30 units of course work in Buddhism.
Students must also complete 12 units of course work in Comparative Religious Studies.

Goals
Students will acquire advanced knowledge of Buddhist thought, texts and history and comparative religious issues.

Student Learning Outcomes
Students will be able to do the following:

1. Express advanced detailed knowledge of aspects of Buddhist thought;
2. Outline and critically evaluate select Buddhist texts;
3. Give advanced descriptions of aspects of Buddhist history;
4. Critically summarize detailed topics in Comparative Religious Studies.
5. Relate at a doctoral level Buddhist concerns to modern questions of human nature and character development.
6. Apply at a doctoral level Buddhist insights to the modern world.

Emphasis in Comparative Religious Studies:

Students must complete 30 units of course work in Comparative Religious Studies. 
Students must also complete 12 units of course work in Buddhist Studies.

Goals
Students will acquire advanced knowledge of key issues in Comparative Religious Studies.

Student Learning Outcomes
Students will be able to do the following:

1. Express detailed knowledge of a number of issues in Comparative Religious Studies;
2. Critically summarize detailed topics in Buddhist Studies.
3. Relate at a doctoral level religious concerns to modern questions of human nature and character development.
4. Apply at a doctoral level religious insights to the modern world.

Research Training (12 units)

REL 710 Dissertation Research (12 units)

Goals
Students will be able to undertake advanced graduate level research and writing.

Student Learning Outcomes
Students will be able to do the following:

1. Choose and properly research an academic topic at the Ph.D. Dissertation level.
2. Correctly utilize academic research tools and express their findings in an acceptable style of academic writing.
3. Correctly follow the rules of formatting, including proper thesis structure and the correct use of citation and bibliographic conventions.
4. Orally defend their Dissertation before three academic examiners and the academic community.