Religious Studies
Study religious experience, expression and thought
The mission of the Department of Religious Studies is to discover, explore, and analyze religious experience in its various manifestations emphasizing the Roman Catholic tradition, in dialogue with the other Christian traditions and with the world religions.
Our undergraduate programs.
We are committed to lifelong growth through effective learning in undergraduate general education, with an undergraduate major and four undergraduate minors. We also offer an integrated Bachelor Plus Master's program.
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Our graduate programs.
We offer two master's degrees in pastoral ministry and theological studies, which prepare students for ministry in the church, university and community, and for further academic study. Our theology Ph.D. program has a distinctive research focus on the practices/praxis of Catholicism in United States context.
Learn MoreThe International Marian Research Institute (IMRI) is no longer offering graduate degrees and is in the process of transitioning to its new home in the College of Arts and Sciences. The Department of Religious Studies is developing Marian course offerings in connection with IMRI's transition, and plans to offer certificates at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Offerings for the 2021-2022 year are still being developed.
Who are we?
We are a community of scholars serving the University and our local community by teaching, research, prophetic criticism and action. We study religious experience, expression and thought, with special emphasis on the Roman Catholic tradition while dialoguing with other Christian world religions.
Meet Our Faculty
Grow with us.
In keeping with the Catholic and Marianist character of the University, the department is committed to the education of the whole person so that learning can be integrated into the daily life, service activities, faith and community building. This can be achieved through both our curricular and extracurricular activities.
Opportunities and ActivitiesRead what our undergraduate students have to say about studying religious studies at the University of Dayton.
Students enrolled in our Master of Arts programs are encouraged to apply for three scholarship opportunities:
- Patrick J. Tonry, S.M. Scholarship for the Advancement of Women in Ministry
- Sisters of the Precious Blood Scholarship
- Thomas M. Martin Memorial Scholarship Fund
Faculty from our department recently discussed petitionary prayer with students in a far-ranging conversation about the relationship between prayer and work for justice, human freedom and God's action, and providence and history, with a special shout-out to Doctor Who mixed in. This event was led by Dr. Kelly Johnson, Fr. William J. Ferree Chair of Social Justice.
Visit the Website of the Fr. William J. Ferree Chair of Social Justice >
Department chair, Jana Bennett and theological studies graduate Trevor Gundlach '16 were recipients of 2020 Catholic Book Awards presented by the Catholic Press Association. Jana received first place in the Sacraments category for Naming Our Sins: How Recognizing the Seven Deadly Vices Can Renew the Sacrament of Reconciliation and Trevor received second place in the new author category for his book, Barstool Theology. Congratulations to both for recognition of their dedication to scholarship and research.
What wisdom does Mary, the mother of Jesus, have to offer us about contemporary concerns we’ve been facing in the past year?
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University of Dayton professor Jana Bennett’s newest book won first prize at the Catholic Media Association’s 2020 Catholic Book Awards.
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Six University of Dayton students will be honored this month as the first recipients of the Fr. Jack McGrath, S.M., Award for Research in Catholic Intellectual Traditions, which recognizes outstanding undergraduate student research in a Common Academic Program course related to Catholic intellectual traditions.
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