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:
- 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.
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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 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
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Total Credit Hours Required for the Certificate in Gnosticism, Esotericism and Mysticism | 14 | |
Certificate Requirements
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Theory-Intensive Courses | ||
| RELI 558 | MYSTICISM: THEORIES AND METHODS | 3 |
| RELI 581 | GNOSTICISM SEMINAR | 3 |
| RELI 587 | WESTERN ESOTERICISM: METHOD AND THEORY | 3 |
| Thematic Course | ||
| Select 1 course from the following: | 3 | |
| PEOPLE OF THE BOOK: JUDAISM AND SCRIPTURE | ||
| 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 600 | GEM RESEARCH FORUM (2 semesters required, 1st semester) 1 | 1 |
| RELI 600 | GEM RESEARCH FORUM (2 semesters required, 2nd semester) 1 | 1 |
| Total Credit Hours | 14 | |
Footnotes and Additional Information
| 1 | Students must complete 2 consecutive Fall and Spring semesters of RELI 600 (1 credit hour each semester for 2 credit hours total). This forum meets monthly throughout the semester. RELI 600 is taken for a Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory grade and must be completed with a Satisfactory grade. As a S/U course, it does not apply to the requirement of a minimum grade of B- (2.67 grade points) in each required course. |
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/2023_24/Religion_PhD_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 a 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. 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 guidelines:
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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
See https://humanities.rice.edu/student-life for tables of fellowships, prizes, and internships/practica that may be relevant to this program.