Graduate School of Religion and Religious Education

The Graduate School of Religion and Religious Education (GRE) is a global community of teacher-scholar-practitioners that passionately educates for solidarity, service, and justice. Drawing on its Jesuit and Catholic traditions, GRE prepares students of diverse religions and spiritualities to put their faith into action. On-campus and online programs include master's degrees in mental health counseling and spiritual integration, Christian spirituality, pastoral studies, religious education, and pastoral care; a Ph.D. in religion and practice; and a Doctor of Ministry degree. Advanced certificate programs include Jesuit StudiesChristian spiritualityspiritual direction, and supervision.

About the GRE Bulletin

The information in the GRE bulletin serves as a roadmap for the academic, pastoral, spiritual, and professional education of our students. It provides an overview of the school's historical roots and educational philosophy, and a guide to academic policies and procedures, as well as a prospectus of the degree and certificate programs. It contains instructions, resources, forms, surveys, sample assignments, and schedules that will allow you to navigate through your experience at Fordham University more effectively.

For all general information regarding the full range of University-wide student services, University regulations and code of conduct, student disciplinary procedures, and policies on sexual harassment, refer to the Fordham University Student Handbook.

Since the information in the bulletin undergoes periodic revisions, make sure to check this page to access the most up-to-date information. Your faculty adviser or the assistant dean will be happy to assist you, if you have any questions or concerns.

Fordham's Religious Tradition

Fordham University was established under Catholic auspices and has benefited from the service of members of the Society of Jesus, a religious order of men who include among their apostolates that of higher education. 

Fordham's Catholic and Jesuit origins and traditions have proven valuable as a source of distinctiveness and strength. Consequently, these traditions, religious ideas, perspectives, and values hold a central place in the curriculum. Theology is an important subject requiring serious intellectual study. All students, regardless of their personal beliefs, are encouraged to join seminars and discussions of religious issues and to participate in religious services and activities. 

A loving and respectful openness to people of all faiths is an integral part of Fordham's stance, as it should be in any university. The very nature of religious belief requires free, un-coerced consent, just as the nature of a university requires a respect for evidence, investigation, reason, and enlightened assent. 

The Jesuit Approach to Education

Core Values and Characteristics

Since founding their first school in 1548, the Jesuits have believed that a high-quality education is a path to a meaningful life of leadership and service. They have understood that combining the liberal arts, the natural and social sciences, the performing arts, and other branches of knowledge is a powerful means to develop leaders who influence and transform society.

The Jesuits adapted the best educational models available while developing their own, a methodology that has succeeded in a variety of cultures because it adapts to the context of the learner.

Education in the Jesuit tradition is a call to human excellence. It develops the whole person, from intellect and imagination to emotions and conscience, and approaches academic subjects holistically, exploring the connections among facts, questions, insights, conclusions, problems, and solutions. Students learn each subject's implications for what it means to be a human being and what we may contribute to the future well-being of the world.

Jesuit education also examines the history of injustices, often subtly embedded within systems and cultures, while also generating hope so that students feel called to address significant world problems with courage, commitment, and good faith.