March 3, 2015 - The Graduate Theological Union has introduced new degree options in Hindu Studies and Interreligious Studies for its Master of Arts program, and has extended the application deadline through July 1, 2015, for students seeking to enroll in these programs for the Fall 2015 semester.
The Master of Arts with an area of concentration in Hindu Studies will be offered in connection with the GTU’s newly established Hindu Studies Initiative. The primary foci for the program will be the study of Hindu philosophy of religion, theology, art, and sacred texts; Hinduism and world engagement in consideration of its historical and cultural contexts; and the interrelationships of Hinduism with other Indic Dharma faiths—particularly Jainism and Indian Buddhism. In accordance with the interreligious environment of the GTU, the Hindu ethos will be studied in dialogue with other religious traditions, in order to deepen understanding and relationships amongst cultures and faiths while honoring the distinctiveness of each religion. With this new degree option, the GTU becomes one of the first masters programs in North America with a clear focus on Hindu Philosophy of Religion and Theology (which integrates art and music), as well as engaged Hinduism.
The GTU has also expanded its Master of Arts program in Interreligious Studies to allow incoming students to affiliate directly with the GTU, as well as with the Institute for Buddhist Studies or the Patriarch Athenagoras Orthodox Institute. Acknowledging the growth of the GTU as a hub of interreligious education, this is an expansion of the existing MA in Interreligious Studies, which already allows incoming students to affiliate with one of the eight member schools of the GTU. With this development, the GTU will better serve the increasing number of students who desire to focus their Master of Arts work on Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, Judaism, Sikhism, Jainism, Confucianism, Taoism, or other traditions, or who wish to engage in interreligious studies from an embarking point other than the Christian tradition.
Students interested in applying for enrollment in these programs should contact the Office of Admissions via email or by calling at 1-800-826-4488.