Certificate in Gnosticism, Esotericism, and Mysticism

Program Learning Outcomes for the Certificate in Gnosticism, Esotericism, and Mysticism

Upon completing the certificate in Gnosticism, Esotericism, and Mysticism, students will be able to:

  1. Understand and interpret gnostic, esoteric, and mystic traditions by examining the plurality of religious voices and expressions, including currents that have been marginalized, neglected, repressed, and censored in a variety of sociological, psychological, philosophical, and political ways.

Requirements for the Certificate in Gnosticism, Esotericism, and Mysticism

The certificate in Gnosticism, Esotericism, and Mysticism is a graduate certificate. For general university requirements, please see Certificates: Graduate-Level. For additional requirements, regulations, and procedures for all graduate programs, please see All Graduate Students. Students pursuing the certificate in Gnosticism, Esotericism, and Mysticism must complete:

  • A minimum of 6 courses (14 credit hours) of graduate-level study (graduate semester credit hours, coursework at the 500-level or above) to satisfy certificate requirements.
  • All course requirements met with Rice University coursework (transfer credit not permitted). For additional program guidelines regarding transfer credit, see the Policies tab.
  • A minimum overall GPA of 2.67 or higher in all Rice coursework
  • A minimum program GPA of 2.67 or higher in all Rice coursework that satisfies requirements for the graduate certificate with a minimum grade of B- (2.67 grade points) in each course.

This certificate is not a freestanding degree program; in addition to fulfilling the certificate requirements outlined below, candidates will be required to complete successfully the degree program to which they have been admitted in order to receive this certificate. Upon completion, the certificate is awarded at the same time as the conferral of the student’s Rice degree, along with a formal notation on their academic transcript.

The courses listed below satisfy the requirements for this certificate. In certain instances, courses not on this official list may be substituted upon approval of the certificate’s academic advisor or, where applicable, the Program Director. Course substitutions must be formally applied and entered into Degree Works by the certificate's Official Certifier. Additionally, these course substitutions must be approved by the Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies. Students and their academic advisors should identify and clearly document the courses to be taken.

Summary

Total Credit Hours Required for the Certificate in Gnosticism, Esotericism, and Mysticism14

Certificate Requirements

Theory-Intensive Courses
RELI 558MYSTICISM: THEORIES AND METHODS3
RELI 581GNOSTICISM SEMINAR3
RELI 587WESTERN ESOTERICISM: METHOD AND THEORY3
Thematic Course
Select 1 course from the following:3
ADVANCED TIBETAN LANGUAGE AND CULTURE
BUDDHIST WISDOM TEXTS
THE HISTORY OF RELIGIONS SCHOOL
MUTANTS AND MYSTICS: RACE, SEXUALITY, AND THE FUTURE OF THE HUMANITIES
ARCHIVES OF THE IMPOSSIBLE
NEW TESTAMENT / CHRISTIAN ORIGINS
VISIONS AND VISONARY PRACTICES: MEDIEVAL TO MODERN
Gnosticism, Esotericism, and Mysticism (GEM) Research Forum
RELI 600GEM RESEARCH FORUM (2 semesters required, 1st semester) 11
RELI 600GEM RESEARCH FORUM (2 semesters required, 2nd semester) 11
Total Credit Hours14

Footnotes and Additional Information 

Policies for the Certificate in Gnosticism, Esotericism, and Mysticism

Department of Religion Graduate Handbook

The General Announcements (GA) is the official Rice curriculum. As an additional resource for students, the department of Religion publishes a graduate program handbook, which can be found here: https://gradhandbooks.rice.edu/2024_25/Religion_MA_Graduate_Handbook.pdf.

Program Restrictions and Exclusions

Students pursuing the certificate in Gnosticism, Esotericism, and Mysticism should be aware of the following program restriction:

  • Graduate students may declare their intent to pursue this university certificate only after they have first been admitted into a graduate-level Rice degree-granting program.

Transfer Credit 

For Rice University’s policy regarding transfer credit, see Transfer Credit. Some departments and programs have additional restrictions on transfer credit. Requests for transfer credit must be approved for Rice equivalency by the appropriate academic department offering the Rice equivalent course (corresponding to the subject code of the course content) and by the Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies (GPS). Students are encouraged to meet with their academic program’s advisor when considering transfer credit possibilities.

Departmental Transfer Credit Guidelines

Students pursuing the certificate in Gnosticism, Esotericism, and Mysticism should be aware of the following departmental transfer credit guideline:

  • Transfer credit coursework cannot be applied or used to meet any of the program’s course requirements.

Additional Information 

For additional information, please see the Gnosticism, Esotericism, and Mysticism's page on the Department of Religion website: https://reli.rice.edu/gem-certificate/.

Opportunities for the Certificate in Gnosticism, Esotericism, and Mysticism

Additional Information 

For additional information, please see the Gnosticism, Esotericism, and Mysticism's page on the Department of Religion website: https://reli.rice.edu/gem-certificate/.