Master of Arts in Religious Studies

For Master of Arts in Religious Studies, tuition fees are 16,680 USD per year, and the deadline to apply for the Sep 2026 intake is Nov 30, 2026.

The Master of Arts in Religious Studies at CSULB is the only program of its kind in the CSU system and is a stand-alone degree. It focuses on developing critical thinking and research skills through personal attention and an inclusive environment that explores diverse religious perspectives. Students engage in learning to discern information critically, preparing them for advanced study or knowledge-based careers.

Focus areas include Ancient Mediterranean and Near Eastern Religions, Buddhist Studies, Indigenous American Religions.

The program requires a minimum of 30 units, with at least 24 units in Religious Studies, including a minimum of 12 units in the 600 series. Students must complete either a thesis or a comprehensive examination.

Graduates pursue careers as entrepreneurs, writers, social activists, religious leaders, or continue to Ph.D. programs.

Applicants must hold a Bachelor's degree, ideally in Religious Studies or a related field, with a minimum 2.5 GPA in the last 60 semester units. Required documents include official transcripts, three letters of recommendation, a writing sample, and a statement of purpose. Candidates without foundational Religious Studies courses may need to complete additional coursework or a certificate.

The programme totals about 30 credit hours. An online pathway is available, though timely completion depends on course availability. For international students, tuition is below the median for US programmes. The institution admits about 47% of applicants.

California State University-Long Beach brings together campus life, creative work and applied learning in Long Beach, California. Students can use on-campus dining and take part in athletics, while the Richard & Karen Carpenter Performing Arts Center, Carolyn Campagna Kleefeld Contemporary Art Museum, Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden and Bob Cole Conservatory of Music provide places for performances, exhibitions and cultural activities. The campus also features the Shark Lab, Space Beach and sustainability projects. Students have studied abroad in locations including Cape Town and Milan, and the university has welcomed Taiwan's Ming Chuan University through a partnership.

Academic areas include Liberal Arts, Natural Sciences & Mathematics, and the College of Professional and Continuing Education. The university's stories and programs point to learning through practice. Student teachers work in classrooms with children, students have explored Catalina Island as field biologists, and debater-mentors develop skills in persuasion. The campus also connects study with journalism, music, science and the performing arts. A recent campus story focused on general education mathematics, while other activities include science camps and the Shark Lab's public open house. International students can expect a California campus with study-abroad connections, cultural partnerships and a broad mix of academic and extracurricular opportunities. Long Beach provides the setting for a university where classroom subjects connect with museums, laboratories, gardens, performances, fieldwork and community activities.