Program Overview
The PhD in Religious Ethics, Comparative Religion & Interfaith Studies is an advanced doctoral program that explores ethical frameworks, religious beliefs, and interfaith engagement across cultural, historical, and contemporary contexts. Delivered fully online or in hybrid form, the program is structured to serve scholars, religious leaders, policy makers, and practitioners worldwide who wish to engage deeply with questions of morality, belief, conflict, and dialogue in a pluralistic world.
Program Aims & Learning Outcomes
Graduates will be equipped to:
Conduct original, rigorous research on religious ethics, comparative religion, and interfaith interactions, drawing on historical, philosophical, theological, sociological, and anthropological methodologies.
Critically analyze ethical issues within and between religious traditions, and apply such analyses to contemporary moral challenges (e.g. social justice, human rights, environmental ethics).
Facilitate interfaith dialogue and contribute to conflict resolution, peace studies, and religious pluralism.
Translate scholarly research into policy, education, public discourse, and community engagement.
Teach, publish, and shepherd academic or community programs in religious studies, ethics, theology, or interfaith work.
Target Candidates
Scholars with MA / MPhil degrees in religion, theology, philosophy, ethics, religious studies, sociology, anthropology, or related fields.
Religious leaders, clergy, faith-based organization practitioners who wish to deepen their academic, ethical, and interfaith capabilities.
Policy and community development professionals interested in the intersection of religion, ethics, human rights, peacebuilding.
Early-career academics seeking specialization in interfaith or comparative ethics.
Admission Requirements
Academic Qualification: Master’s degree (or equivalent) in a relevant field. Exceptional Bachelor’s holders with strong research record may be considered.
GPA / Academic Standing: Minimum of 3.0/4.0 or equivalent; strong grades in religious, philosophical, or ethical coursework.
Research Experience: Evidence via thesis, publications, or substantial project.
Language Proficiency: English fluency; additional language skills (Arabic, Hebrew, Sanskrit, etc.) a plus depending on research focus.
Applied Experience (optional but beneficial): Participation in community, interfaith, or religious service or organizations.
Application Materials:
Statement of purpose & preliminary research proposal (1,000–1,500 words)
Writing sample (academic article, thesis chapter, or essay)
Curriculum vitae with academic & relevant extra-academic experience
Transcripts / degree certificates
Three letters of recommendation (two academic preferred)
Proof of English proficiency (if international)
Interview with faculty (virtual)
Delivery Mode & Program Structure
Delivery Models
Fully Online: All coursework, seminars, workshops, and supervisory meetings are delivered via a robust virtual learning platform.
Hybrid Option: Students may attend short residencies (1-2 weeks) annually at NIRU or one of its partner institutions for intensive workshops, seminars, network building, and lab / archive access.
Partners & Workshops
Partner Institutions: Collaboration with universities, theological colleges, religious think-tanks, and interfaith centers globally. These partners host guest lectures, provide archival resources, enable fieldwork.
Workshops & Seminars:
Online seminars on ethics, interfaith theory, comparative theology, conflict mediation
Hybrid workshops (during residencies) focusing on case studies, field research, religious rites, ethical dilemmas
Guest lecture series by scholars across religions and disciplines
Curriculum & Timeline
Year Key Activities & Coursework
Year 1 Core courses: Foundations of Religious Ethics; Comparative Religion Methods; History of Religions; Interfaith Theory and Practice; Research Methods (qualitative, textual, fieldwork). Develop and defend a detailed research proposal.
Year 2 Electives (Examples): Ethics & Social Justice; Religion & Human Rights; Environmental Theology; Sacred Texts & Interpretation; Conflict & Peace Studies; Ritual Studies. Conduct fieldwork or archival research. Engage in community / interfaith engagement project.
Years 3-4/5 Dissertation research and writing. Publish or present at academic conferences. Policy / community translation outputs (e.g. educational curricula, interfaith dialogue programs). Final dissertation submission & oral defense.
Supervision & Mentorship
Primary Supervisor with expertise in religious ethics, philosophy, theology, or comparative religion.
Co-supervisor(s) to provide complementary expertise (e.g. anthropology, sociology, history, theology of other traditions).
Doctoral committee for annual reviews of progress.
Mentorship includes grant writing, teaching online, public engagement, community ethics work.
Assessment & Progress Milestones
Coursework graded via essays, exams, presentations.
Proposal defense as a major milestone (end of Year 1).
Annual progress reports and reviews – checking fieldwork, ethical approvals, archival access.
Expected outputs: at least 2 peer-reviewed articles (or monograph chapters), policy or community engagement deliverable.
Final dissertation & oral / virtual defense (viva voce).
Example Research Topics
Comparative study of forgiveness and reconciliation across religions in post-conflict societies.
Religious ethics of climate change—how doctrines across faiths address environmental stewardship.
Interfaith responses to migration, refugees and asylum seekers.
Religious perspectives on bioethical issues (genetic editing, end-of-life, pandemics).
Ethics of religious pluralism in secular states.
Sacred texts and gender: Comparative interpretations.
The role of religion in peacebuilding, conflict resolution, and community healing.
Program Highlights
Flexibility – fully online or hybrid to support global students.
Strong partner network – theological colleges, interfaith centers, archival repositories.
Regular residencies/workshops that deepen engagement and scholarship.
Emphasis on both academic rigor and real-world relevance (policy, community, interfaith).
Opportunities for intercultural exchange and exposure to multiple religious traditions.