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Academic Programs

The J. M. Dawson Institute of Church-State Studies is the only institute of its kind in American academia, providing scholars with the resources to explore the relationship between church and state, as well as broader issues at the critical nexus of religion and society, from a variety of faith perspectives, cultural traditions, and academic disciplines. From its inception in 1957, the stated purpose of the Institute has been to stimulate academic interest and encourage research and publications in the field of church-state relations. In carrying out its statement of purpose, the Institute has sought to honor a threefold commitment: to be interfaith, interdisciplinary, and international. The Institute offers three unique graduate programs as well as an undergraduate minor founded on a vibrant interdisciplinary curriculum and tailored to the needs of future college and university educators, ministers of religion, jurists, journalists, researchers, and government leaders.

Doctoral Programs

The Doctor of Philosophy degrees in Church-State Studies and in Religion, Politics and Society are designed for qualified students to do graduate work at the highest level of interdisciplinary studies. Admission to the doctoral programs requires an M.A. degree or its determined equivalent. Students are usually admitted from master's programs in history, philosophy, political science, religion, sociology, law, public policy, or other approved fields. Not more than six semester hours may be transferred from an approved institution toward the degree, but no transferred work may reduce the two year residence requirement. All graduate work to be transferred from other universities must be approved by the Dean of the Graduate School and the Graduate Council, upon the recommendation of the Director of the J.M. Dawson Institute of Church-State Studies, and only after the student has been admitted to candidacy. To apply to the programs, students must exhibit an exemplary academic record and must have a valid GRE score to submit to the Graduate admissions office. Students may apply online through the Baylor University Graduate School.

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Master of Arts Program

In addition to its doctoral programs, the Institute offers a Master of Arts degree for students desiring graduate work in church and state and who may wish to pursue further graduate study. MA graduates from the Institute have gone on to pursue terminal degrees at some of the country's most prestigious universities, including Princeton, Brown, Duke, Georgetown, Notre Dame, Southern California, Rutgers, LSU, Baylor, Dayton, Missouri, and Kansas State.

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Religion and Politics Minor

The minor in Religion and Politics offered through the Institute provides undergraduates the opportunity to enrich their existing course of study by participating in "the greatest subject in the history of the West" with a scholastically distinguished and diverse group of colleagues. Students find the interdisciplinary focus of the minor helpful when applying for graduate programs in a variety of disciplines from government to sociology to philosophy to religion. Law schools appreciate the introduction to legal theory and constitutional issues that this minor provides. As contemporary American culture reflects a growing interest in the interrelationship of religion and society, a concentration in religion and politics helps to open doors in a variety of careers, including government work, academia, church ministry, journalism, and public advocacy.

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J.M. Dawson Institute of Church-State Studies