研究生选择佛学研究专业为博士学位。除了200系课程外，宗教研究专业还将完成至少五次佛教研究核心研讨会，涵盖至少两个文化区域，其中三个是重点领域。学生将获得高学位。重点领域的语言流利程度（通常为四年的语言学习或同等水平）。此外，学生还将展示另一种亚洲语言的阅读能力（通常为两年的语言学习或同等学历），并具有法语或德语的阅读能力。预计该学生还将获得重点领域中发现的一种或多种非佛教宗教的能力，例如：印度教，Ja那教，道教，儒教或神道教。这可以通过其他研讨会，定向阅读，现场考试重点和/或注册高等课程来实现。
Graduate students opting for the Buddhist Studies concentration for the Ph.D. in Religious Studies will, in addition to the Department 200 series, be expected to complete at least five Buddhist Studies core seminars covering at least two cultural regions, including three in their principle area of focus.<br><br>The student will be expected to gain a high degree of fluency (normally four years of language study or the equivalent) in the language of the area of focus. In addition, the student will demonstrate reading ability in one other Asian language (normally, two years of language study or the equivalent) and reading ability in either French or German. The student is also expected to acquire competence in one or more of the non-Buddhist religions found in the area of focus, for example: Hinduism, Jainism, Daoism, Confucianism, or Shinto. This can be accomplished through additional seminars, directed reading, a field exam focus, and/or enrollment in upper division courses.