Thank you for considering applying to UC Davis.  As you prepare your graduate school application, keep in mind that our admission committee will be looking for two main things:

1. evidence that you have the potential to succeed in our graduate program 

Qualified Ph.D. applicants must hold a Bachelor's or Master's degree in a discipline relevant to the Study of Religion, such as Religious Studies, History, Philosophy, or Anthropology. Applicants should also have begun the study of at least one language relevant to the intended area of primary research (for example Arabic, French, German, Greek, Hebrew or Sanskrit). Further language study can be continued in parallel with the Ph.D. program. 

2. a match between the area(s) you wish to study and the expertise of our available faculty mentors.

Applicants must also have a member of the Study of Religion Graduate Program Faculty willing to serve as his/her/they Major Professor (mentor/research adviser) in order to be admitted. To this end, applicants are encouraged to look closely at faculty research profiles to ensure that mentorship is available in their desired specialty.  Potential Major Professors for each applicant will be discussed by the admissions committee during the admissions process. 

Make sure your application speaks to these two criteria.  

Finally, applicants must submit all of the following material by the deadline (Jan. 5th) to be considered for admission the following fall.