Master's Programs in Psych of Religion

Two universities in the UK now offer master's degree programs in the psychology of religion. I have added the information to my page on graduate study in psych of religion, but I want to advertise these efforts here as well.

Heythrop College, University of London, offers a M.A. in Psychology of Religion. This is a traditional course, with a strong reading list that will prepare students with an excellent understanding of the field's past and present.

Another program is fully online, through Glyndwr University in Wales. This program may offer more flexibility for students who are not near enough to attend Heythrop and can thereby take advantage of in-person classes.

For more information about graduate school options in psychology of religion, view my graduate study page to get started.

Graduate Study at Georgia Southern

Some last-minute assistantship funds have become available for our MS in experimental psychology program. This is part of an effort to attract good students who might not have been successful in doctoral admissions, or who are only now realizing that they wish to pursue graduate study in psychology. Please pass word along anyone who might be seeking support for graduate studies. Information about our program is available at:
http://class.georgiasouthern.edu/psychology/ms.php

Please send any questions or replies to me off-list, at mnielsen@georgiasouthern.edu

Thanks,
Mike

Research position at Catholic University of Louvain

This announcement comes from Vassilis Saroglou:

A research position for a postgraduate/Ph.D. student is open at the Catholic University of Louvain, Centre for Psychology of Religion http://www.uclouvain.be/psyreli . The position is full time (fellowship + social security), lasts two years (1+1), starts September 2011, and implies working in Louvain-la-Neuve (University's town). The research focuses on the understanding of moral and emotional characteristics of ideological (including religious) radicalism and will use methodology from social/moral psychology and psychology of emotions. It is integrated into a broader interdisciplinary project (Research Coordinated Action) on religious fundamentalism and ideological radicalism, a project funded by the Belgian Community of Brussels-Wallonia and the University.

Applications (CV and letter of motivation) are to be sent to Prof. Vassilis Saroglou vassilis.saroglou [at] uclouvain.be by June 15. (Use the same email address for more information).

Court Cases: Religious Students Object to Counseling LGBT Clients

New developments were announced in cases involving counseling psychology graduate students who objected to counseling LGBT clients in an affirming way. A student backed by the Alliance Defense Fund sued Augusta State University over the issue. The student cites her religious beliefs condemning homosexuality, while the university cites professional ethics codes. A similar case at Eastern Michigan University was resolved yesterday by a federal judge ruling in favor of the university. A summary of the issue appears in today's issue of Inside Higher Ed.

Psychology of Religion at Cambridge

The MPhil program in social and developmental psychology at Cambridge University offers the opportunity to study the psychology of religion. Applications are being accepted through the end of June. Nicholas Gibson is on the faculty and invites prospective students to apply.

New Bioethics M.A. Program

Stephen Post announces a new graduate degree program in Medical Humanities, Compassionate Care and Bioethics at Stony Brook University. Students who are interested in the psychology of religion, but who seek a career path different from clinical / counseling psychology or college teaching, may find the program of interest.

Survey Research Workshop

Researchers interested in surveys of American religion are invited to apply for a workshop to be held at Calvin College June 3-9, 2010. Travel and lodging will be covered for approximately 15 awardees. More details are available at the Society for the Scientific Study of Religion website.

Aarhus University PhD Opportunities

PhD scholarships and fellowships

The Graduate School of Theology and the Study of Religion at the Faculty of Theology, Aarhus University invites highly qualified applicants to apply for admission to a PhD scholarship or fellowship commencing 1 February 2010 or as soon as possible thereafter.

The Faculty’s current research strengths are in a wide range of subject areas, including Biblical Studies; Church History and Practical Theology; Ethics, Philosophy of Religion, and Dogmatics; Religion and cognition; Sociology of Religion; World Religions; and Arab and Islamic Studies.

About 35 PhD students are enrolled at the Graduate School. Topics being studied currently can be seen under ongoing projects http://www.teo.au.dk/en/research/current.

Our PhD programmes consist of the following elements:
• Completion of an independent research project under supervision and preparation of a PhD dissertation based on the project.
• A course component corresponding to 30 ECTS.
• Acquisition of experience in teaching activities or other forms of communicating knowledge.
• An opportunity to work in a supportive research environment, including periods of study at other research institutions, mainly abroad, or by other means.

The most widely used language at the Graduate School is English. Our study environment features close, informal contact between supervisors and PhD students. Our teaching and IT facilities are of a very high standard, and our well-equipped library provides excellent resources for research activities. We attach great importance to the quality of supervision provided to PhD students. Our PhD supervisors therefore complete special courses in supervision.

Requirements for admission
Enrolment as a PhD student at the Graduate School is a prerequisite for being granted a PhD scholarship or fellowship. Enrolment is possible at two different stages:
• Applicants who hold a relevant BA degree of 180 ECTS and have, prior to 1 February 2010, satisfactorily completed courses corresponding to 60 ECTS of a relevant MA degree programme may apply for PhD scholarships and will, if successful, be enrolled into a 4-year dual MA/PhD degree programme (4+4).
• Applicants who hold a relevant BA degree of 180 ECTS and have, prior to 1 February 2010, satisfactorily completed a relevant MA degree consisting of at least 120 ECTS, may apply for PhD fellowships and will, if successful, be enrolled directly into a 3-year PhD degree programme (5+3).

In assessing applications, we focus on candidates’ ability to present an original and interesting research project that can contribute productively to one of our current research environments.

For successful candidates, Aarhus University can assist in finding suitable accommodation and in arranging any necessary work or residence permits. The Faculty of Theology provides office space and computer facilities.

Conditions for PhD scholarships and fellowships
Recipients of PhD scholarships and fellowships are entitled to free tuition and to a monthly payment for living expenses:
• A 4-year PhD scholarship consists of two parts. For the first two years (part A) the recipient receives a monthly payment (before tax) of approximately DKK 10,000. For the last two years (part B), the recipient is employed as a PhD research fellow and receives a monthly salary (before tax) of approximately DKK 28,000, including pension contributions. At the end of part A, a Danish MA degree is obtained. The transition from part A to part B requires that part A has been satisfactorily completed.
• The recipient of a 3-year PhD fellowship is employed as a PhD research fellow for three years and receives a monthly salary (before tax) of approximately DKK 28,000, including pension contributions. The holder of a fellowship (unlike the holder of a scholarship) will be expected to carry out duties equivalent to 840 working hours of teaching, communication of research, participation in research projects, etc.

Further information and contact details
For further information see Information for PhD applicants, where you will find the Faculty’s PhD regulations, or contact the Chair of the Graduate School, Troels Nørager (e-mail: tn@teo.au.dk, or tel: +45 8942 2243).

Application procedures
Applications for enrolment as a PhD student and for either a PhD scholarship or a fellowship must be submitted electronically through the University’s “self-service“ system. This will be available from 15 September 2009. See Guidelines for Application.

Deadline for submissions: Thursday 15 October 2009, 12.00 noon (Danish time).

Please mark your application: 2009-218/4-23.

Aarhus University offers a good and inspiring education and research environment for 35,000 students and 8,500 members of staff, who produce academic results of a high international standard. The budgeted turnover for 2009 amounts to EUR 700 million. The university’s strategy and development contract are available at www.au.dk.

Ph.D. Fellowship at Aarhus University

Aarhus University is offering a Ph.D. fellowship with their research on "pain and coping in the religious mind." They report that "The goal of the project is to explore the neurobiological and cognitive effects of pain and pain coping strategies in religious ritual. The research design should ideally combine fMRI scans, clinical tests, interviews and fieldwork. The expected outcomes of the project should address issues relevant to the cognitive science of religion, neuroscience and pain research."

The deadline for applications is 17 November 2008. View the announcement for more information about this good opportunity, as well as for links describing the application process.

Support Psych of Religion through Music

John, a long-time correspondent of mine, has decided to jump into graduate study in the psychology of religion. To help finance his education he is selling his violin. If you (or someone you know) has an interest in music and would like a violin, this may be a chance to support psychology of religion through music. You can view a letter he sent to family and friends, describing his desire to pursue graduate school as the reason for selling his instrument, at eBay. Click that link, and then search for his violin under his eBay username: work71771.

University of Aarhus Scholarships and Fellowships

The following announcement comes from the University of Aarhus. It is the first of several announcements that I will be posting today.

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PhD scholarships and fellowships

The Graduate School of Theology and the Study of Religion at the Faculty of Theology, University of Aarhus announces new PhD scholarships and fellowships available as per 1 September 2008 or as soon as possible thereafter for study in the faculty’s research areas.

General
The PhD scholarships and fellowships are granted for individuals pursuing a PhD degree. Enrolment as a PhD student at the Graduate School is therefore a prerequisite for being granted a PhD scholarship or fellowship. Information about the PhD degree programme is contained in the faculty’s PhD regulations, which are available on http://www.teo.au.dk/en/graduateschool/prospectivestudents

Successful candidates to PhD scholarships will be enrolled in the PhD degree programme according to the 4+4 model, i.e. prior to passing a Master’s degree final examination and typically after completing the first year of a Master’s degree.

Successful candidates to PhD fellowships will be enrolled in the PhD degree programme according to the 5+3 model, i.e. after completing a Master’s degree final examination.

Further information may be obtained from Chair of the Graduate School, Troels Nørager, e-mail tn [at] teo.au.dk or telephone +45 8942 2243.

Qualification requirements
• PhD scholarships are valid for two years and can be applied for by students enrolled in a Master’s degree programme relevant to the faculty’s subject areas. The PhD scholarships can only be held by students who have satisfactorily completed the first year of a Master’s degree programme. Students who expect to complete the first year of their Master’s degree programme prior to 1 September 2008 may also apply.
• PhD fellowships are valid for three years and can be applied for by graduates with a Master’s degree relevant to the faculty’s subject areas. Students who expect to complete their Master’s degree programme prior to 1 September 2008 may also apply.

Conditions
Remuneration of PhD Scholars prior to completion of their Master’s degree will be covered by section II of the ministerial order on state education grant (SU-bekendtgørelsen). The scholarship will be paid in the form of maximum 48 PhD grants (SU-klip), disbursed with two grants per month. After completion of the Master’s degree, remuneration will be in accordance with the rules about paid PhD Fellows laid down in the protocol on PhD Fellows attached as an appendix to the agreement covering staff with university degrees in the public sector signed between the Danish Ministry of Finance and the Danish Confederation of Professional Organizations (AC).

Remuneration of PhD Fellows will be in accordance with the protocol on PhD Fellows attached as an appendix to the agreement covering staff with university degrees in the public sector signed between the Danish Ministry of Finance and the Danish Confederation of Professional Organizations (AC). A fellowship recipient will be expected to carry out work, corresponding to 840 working hours, such as teaching activities, communication of research and participation in research projects, etc.

Formalities
Applications must be submitted electronically via https://mit.au.dk/endex.cfm.
The facility for you to send in application data electronically will be available from
11 April 2008. Guidelines on the electronic application procedure is available on http://www.teo.au.dk/en/graduateschool/prospectivestudents/applicationguidelines

Deadline for electronic submissions: Thursday 15 May 2008, 12.00h noon.

Please mark your application: 2008-218/4-19.

The University of Aarhus has 35,000 students, 8,500 staff (figure converted into full-time positions), and a turnover of DKK 4.5 billion. The University of Aarhus is among the top 125 universities in the world out of a total of about 9,000, and is the best placed Danish university in a European study of research publication. The University of Aarhus has competences in a broader range of research areas than any other Danish university, and its activities are based at more than 20 locations. www.au.dk/en

Grad Programs in Clinical/Counseling Psych of Religion

One of the most common questions I receive is from students who would like to become clinical or counseling psychologists and to use or study religion from that vantage point. I have resisted creating a page devoted to this question for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is the fact that listings of such programs are almost certainly incomplete and outdated moments after they are published. It also seems more like the kind of task that is suited to an organization than to an individual.

Still, I receive enough questions on the subject that I have added the following to my FAQ file. If you are reading this and note any glaring errors, please let me know so that students and prospective students have the information they need.

QUESTION: I would like to get a doctorate in clinical or counseling psychology, and to do it with a professor who studies religion. What schools offer this?

Getting into an applied psychology program is not easy, as most admit only a small percentage of their applicants. Adding a religious component to your search then limits the number of schools even further. This means that your task is not impossible, but it will require a combination of hard work and a strong application.

Your best option is probably to seek out a good clinical or counseling psych program that has one or more faculty members who are interested in religion. The names that come most quickly to mind are Bowling Green (Pargament); Pepperdine (Shafranske); Loyola-Baltimore (Piedmont); Connecticut (Park); Fuller (several); Regent (several); Brigham Young (several). Of course, several of those universities are religiously affiliated, so you may or may not feel personally able to agree to study there with the expectations that they have for students. Still, you should at least check in to each of these universities and consider just what type of fit they may provide you. I don't believe that any of those faculty study faith development themselves, but each of them do study the psychology of religion and would likely be open to studying faith development.

In all likelihood, I've left out some others who would be suitable, as this list is merely what comes to mind at the moment, but this will give you a start. I should also mention that I am replying to this question in February, 2008. If you are reading this in a few years, the answer almost certainly will have changed as university faculty retire or are hired, and as university curricula and degree programs change. For instance, the psychology department at my university has initiated a Psy.D., aimed at preparing students to practice clinical psychology in rural settings. There is no formal psychology of religion component, but students can do their dissertation on a variety of topics, including religion.

Ph.D. Studentship at Queen's University

This announcement comes from Thomas Lawson at Queen's University, Belfast.

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A 3-year PhD studentship, to begin September/October 2008, is being offered by the Institute of Cognition and Culture (School of History and Anthropology, Queen’s University – Belfast) as part of a collaborative research grant with partner US institutions. The project is titled ‘Cultural Variation in Vigilance and Precaution Themes’ and focuses on the hazard-precaution psychology underlying individual precautionary measures as well as those precautionary themes expressed in collective rituals. Both UK/EU nationals and international applicants are eligible for this studentship which shall run parallel to the three-year duration of the grant. To be eligible applicants should at minimum have:

1. a bachelor’s degree in cognitive psychology, evolutionary psychology, cognitive anthropology, or other relevant fields
2. nothing that would prevent fieldwork in locations like sub-Saharan Africa, US, continental Europe, potentially Southeast Asia
3. an interest in explaining human behavior from a cognitive and evolutionary psychological perspective

The applicant chosen shall develop a PhD research project in concert with the general project’s aims. An experimental component is required. The student will work with the two primary investigators, Professor Thomas Lawson and Dr Joel Mort.

The student will receive funds for tuition, fees, and maintenance for three years. Most research costs (subject costs etc) will be covered by the grant but any additional costs must be accounted for by the student through additional grants etc. Postgraduate office space will be provided at the Institute of Cognition and Culture (including network access). Interested persons should send applications via email to t.lawson /at/ qub.ac.uk no later than 1 Feb 2008. In addition a signed hard copy of the application materials should be mailed to:

Professor E. Thomas Lawson
Institute of Cognition and Culture
Queen’s University
2-4 Fitzwilliam Street
Belfast BT7 1NN
UK

A short-list of finalists will be chosen from all applications and those short-listed will be interviewed.

Application materials required:

• QUB application form
(http://www.qub.ac.uk/home/ProspectiveStudents/PostgraduateStudents/ApplyingtoQueens/ )

• Two academic references
• University transcripts