威克森林大学宗教研究系提供的宗教研究文学硕士课程为学生提供了一个机会，可以制定独特，创新且严格的学习计划。该学位可以作为最终学位，也可以作为博士课程的准备。它强调以各种传统和形式对宗教进行比较和理论研究。该课程反映了该系当前研究生教师的教学和研究兴趣，该课程培育了跨学科的方法，提供了传统和当代理论与方法的培训，并结合了对各种宗教传统和主题的实质性研究。鼓励学生创造性地利用所有可用资源来创建自己独特的学习计划。通常，这将涉及1）专注于特定的宗教文化/地区或历史时期，以及2）研究主题领域的一种或多种方法。论文
The M.A. in Religious Studies is a course intensive program that requires a total of 36 hours of coursework and the submission of a portfolio in the final semester of the program. At least 12 of the 36 hours in coursework must be in courses numbered 700 or above, and one of these courses must be REL 700: Theory and Method in the Study of Religion. The remaining 24 hours may be in courses at either the 600-level or 700-level.<br><br>No less than one month before the end of their final semester, students must submit a final portfolio to a committee consisting of one professor of their choice and the graduate director. The final portfolio includes the student's resume, personal statement, a selection of 3 papers (at least 1 theoretical) from any graduate-level courses they have taken during their M.A. coursework, and a 12-15 page reflection paper that discusses their intellectual trajectory, engagement with theory and method, and personal growth across the 3 papers and the way in which the student's views of religion, broadly defined, have developed. In addition, students will present and discuss their portfolio with their committee in a meeting lasting no longer than one hour. The portfolio will be graded pass/fail (with an option to resubmit) and the committee will consider its overall presentation, clarity of expression and purpose, depth of reflection, and the student's articulation of what they have learned through their course of study.