Applications for the 2025-2026 year are now open!
Admission to the Ph.D. program in the Study of Religion at Harvard is very competitive: typically only 5-6% of all applicants are admitted. Basic requirements, as a minimum, include a bachelor’s degree, or its equivalent, with an undergraduate record of outstanding quality – a previous master’s degree is not required, but it is the rare, exceptional student who is admitted without one. Similarly, while a previous major in the field of religion is not required, the applicant’s background in this and related subjects is a critical consideration.
Application may only be made through the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. For detailed requirements and to apply online, visit the GSAS Religion page.
Fields of Study
Applicants must clearly explain their interdisciplinary interests in their statement of purpose. The Committee on the Study of Religion admits students to the doctoral program who have clearly defined intellectual interests.
Applicants will be asked to choose the following*:
- ONE Area of Study
- religious traditions or geographic complex
AND
- ONE methodology OR approach
Language Requirements
All doctoral applicants are expected to have foundational language skills needed for primary research (textual or ethnographic) in the area of specialization (Greek, Hebrew, Latin, Sanskrit, Arabic, Chinese, etc.) at the time of application.
In addition, admitted students must, in consultation with their advisers, select two languages other than English relevant to their studies. Students will be required to demonstrate competency in these languages prior to sitting for their comprehensive exams.
The chosen languages should equip the students to engage the most important commentarial discourses (oral or written) in their areas of scholarship.
These two languages represent a minimum requirement; specific subfields or research projects may require others.
Degree Funding
All admitted students receive the same financial aid
- five years of tuition and fee assistance
- a stipend, including summer stipends
- dissertation completion fellowship (DCF) for their final year.
The stipend in years three and four is primarily underwritten by Teaching Fellowships.
The sixth year of funding is intended for a student’s final year in order to complete the dissertation.
Prospective students should contact active faculty about potential research interests. Please note emeriti faculty may no longer sponsor or accept any graduate students, visiting scholars, or visiting graduate students in the Study of Religion.