PhD in Religion in Princeton United States | Princeton University

Princeton University led the way in establishing religious studies as an academic discipline separate from theological seminaries and independent of specific faith traditions. In 1946, Princeton established its Department of Religion within the humanities division, launching a graduate program in religion nine years later. Full-time enrollment is required for graduate students, who typically complete the program within five years while maintaining campus residency. The department exclusively offers a Ph.D. track, with no standalone master's program, though students may earn an M.A. upon passing their general examination, usually by their third year.
The Religion Department provides comprehensive exploration of topics ranging from religious history and philosophy to specialized areas like Judaic studies, Buddhist studies, and religious ethics. It also emphasizes interdisciplinary subjects that transcend conventional classifications. The department boasts strong resources for comparative studies of popular religions, while faculty members frequently address broader methodological and theoretical questions applicable across various fields of study.