What You'll Learn
The Religions of the World Graduate Certificate offers a global and comparative exploration of religious traditions, practices, and beliefs. You’ll examine how religions shape — and are shaped by — culture, history, and society.
Through the certificate, you’ll:
- Develop an understanding of the frameworks and methods used to study religion across diverse cultures, historical periods, and societies.
- Learn how to read and interpret religious texts, artistic expressions, and ritual performances
- Survey the powerful roles that charismatic individuals and traditional institutions have played in social organization, rapid social change, cultural transformation, and globalization in the modern world.
- Examine the intersection of religious history, philosophy, culture, and lifestyle.
Courses
The Religions of the World Graduate Certificate requires four courses. You may choose any four courses from the certificate course group.
Searching and Registering for Courses
Available course options vary by term. You can browse options for fall, spring, or summer in the certificate course search within the DCE Course Search & Registration platform.
Our Community at a Glance
Together with your peers, you will build knowledge to enhance your contextual understanding of the religious dimensions in human history and culture.
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50%
Applied Certificate to ALM Degree
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100%
Would Recommend Certificate
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Pursued Certificate for Personal Interest
Earning Your Certificate
If you take two courses per semester, you can complete your certificate in 8 months. If you prefer a more flexible pace, you have up to three years to finish. There is no formal application required.
To meet the requirements for the certificate, you must:
- Complete the four certificate courses for graduate credit.
- Earn at least a B grade in each course.
- Complete the courses within three years.
Learn more about pursuing a certificate and the process of requesting your certificate.
Build a Stackable Credential Pathway
Stackable credential pathways allow you to earn multiple credentials by completing courses that meet overlapping requirements. In the short term, you can earn a micro or graduate certificate. Once completed, those courses may count toward a master’s degree.
You can:
- Stack the Religions of the World Graduate Certificate into a master’s degree in religion.
Stackable pathways offer an efficient, cost-effective way to earn short-term credentials to help fill immediate skill gaps and acquire specialized knowledge while building a foundation for long-term success that showcases your expertise in the field.
Learn how to plan a stackable credential pathway.
Cost
Affordability is core to our mission. When compared to our continuing education peers, it’s a fraction of the cost.
| Our Tuition (2025–26 rate) | $3,440 per course |
|---|---|
| Average Tuition of Peer Institutions | $5,476 per course |
| Average Total Cost | $13,760 |
