Name

Kate Temoney

School

Florida State University

Degree Program

Fourth year PhD student in Religion with a specialization in Religion, Ethics and Philosophy

Previous Degrees

Master of Arts in Religion from Florida State University, 2007; Master of Education in Higher Education from the College of William and Mary, 1999; Bachelor of Arts with a double major in Religion and Psychology from Wake Forest University, 1997

Dissertation Topic

The complicity of religion in genocide

Research Interests

Buddhist ethics; just war transition; the problem of evil; human rights

Advisor

Unnamed

Advisor’s Research Focus

Comparative religion; human rights

Hobbies

Film, art, outdoor sports

Graduate School – Application Process

How did you select your graduate school and program?

I decided to attend Florida State University’s PhD program in religion because it offered a specialization in religious ethics, which is my area of interest. In order to help make my decision, I researched specific programs in religious ethics as well as the different faculty members conducting research in religious ethics. I also talked to an undergrad professor who I had worked closely with as an undergrad student.

What did you do to prepare yourself for graduate school?

To prepare for graduate school, I obtained a subscription to a university publication in order to stay current with new developments in the field of religion. I also continued to take classes in a foreign language to prepare myself for the foreign language exam I would have to take in grad school.

Did your application requirements include standardized test scores?

Yes, my application required GRE test scores. In order to prepare, I worked through a study book and planned accordingly, so I could take the test twice before applying to a PhD program. It is not uncommon for schools to require a minimum score of 1000 for entry.

What kind of information did you include in your personal statement?

In my personal statement, I listed my reasons for wanting to enroll in a PhD program in religion as well as my proposed field of study. I also tried to highlight the diversity of my background and its relevance to the study of religion, in particular religious ethics. For example, I talked about how I had worked at a job that allowed me to exercise judgment in ethical issues on a daily basis.

How did you choose faculty to approach for letters of recommendation?

For my letters of recommendation, I chose faculty who I had established good relationships with, usually by taking classes with them. For example, I selected 2 of my undergraduate professors who taught religious classes, as well as my graduate professor who could vouch for my ability to complete graduate level work.

Do you have any other tips for a student who is considering applying to graduate school in religion?

I would tell a student who is considering applying to graduate school in religion to thoroughly research different programs in order to ensure a program’s resources and research specialties match their interests. I would also tell a student to make sure that they are financially able to complete grad school. Otherwise, they will have to anticipate paying back students loans after graduation.

Graduate School – The Program

How long is your program and how is the curriculum distributed?

My PhD program in religion is composed of 1 and a half years of coursework, in addition to 36 credits of masters level coursework. Classes are very specific and usually entail writing research papers. There are no exams except for the language exam that students need to take through the foreign language department. One of the requirements of the program is to be proficient in 2 languages.

After completing classwork, students need to pass their comprehensive exams in order to start preliminary work on their dissertation. Students then enter the last stage of the program, in which they focus solely on researching and writing their dissertation. The length of this process varies from student to student. At the end of the program, students need to defend their dissertation.

What is the focus of your dissertation research?

The focus of my dissertation research is on the complicity of religion in genocide. I decided on the topic during the middle of my comprehensive exams. I wanted to find a research topic that contributed something unique to the field and would keep my interest over the long process of writing a dissertation. I also wanted a topic that was manageable.

In order to narrow down my topic, I read articles and books and looked through various journals to determine the different research trends in the field. I also talked to professors in the religious field.

Can you describe the process of researching for and writing your dissertation?

The process of researching for and writing my dissertation is quite varied. I usually spend about 15 to 20 hours per week researching and writing, but it is not uncommon for me to work up to 30 or 40 hours per week. Sometimes I take a break from writing for 2 or 3 days. Other times, I am highly motivated and end up writing for 3 or 4 days straight.

For the most part, I work on my dissertation independently. However, I did work with my advisor to develop deadlines for my dissertation. From time to time, I update my advisor on my progress as well as submit a particular chapter for review.

How is the dissertation process different from working on a masters thesis?

The main difference between the dissertation process and a masters thesis is the quality of the paper. A dissertation is more ambitious and lengthy and should be worthy of publishing. As a result, the entire process is much more rigorous and demands that students conduct original research.

What role does your advisor play in your education?

My advisor provides me with moral and academic support during the dissertation process. He provides feedback on the progress of my dissertation, helps guide me in my writing and sets deadlines so that I can finish on time. When it comes time to defend my dissertation, he will advocate my research to the dissertation committee and inform them of my progress, so that everything goes smoothly.

I selected my advisor during the second year of my masters program. My advisor actually encouraged me to apply to the PhD program in religion by telling me that he would serve as my dissertation advisor. I selected him based on our similar personalities and research interests. I wanted an advisor who had enough expertise and experience in my particular research area to be able to guide me.

Does your doctoral program require comprehensive exams prior to graduation?

Yes, my doctoral program requires comprehensive exams prior to graduation in order to test for competency. During the second year of the program, students begin to work with their dissertation advisor who formulates exam questions based on their interest areas. Students are then given a few weeks or months to prepare for the topics that will be covered on the exam.

During the exam, students write their responses to the questions posed. In my case, I had to answer 4 questions over the period of 2 days. I wrote about 30 pages in total.

How does a doctoral program differ from graduate study at the masters level?

The main difference between a doctoral program and a masters program is the level of independence. While a masters program requires that students attend classes on a regular basis, doctoral students independently study for their comprehensive exams and work on their dissertations.

Another difference is the requirements. Compared to masters students, doctoral students need to complete more tasks and exhibit a higher level of thinking.

Graduate School – Paying for It

How much does your PhD program cost?

My PhD program only costs me $2,500 to $3,000 per year because I have a graduate assistantship and my tuition is completely waived. The remain costs include health insurance and student fees.

How are you funding your education?

I am funding my education through personal savings. Prior to enrolling in my PhD program, I had worked for 6 years, so I was able to save up some money. I am also funding my education through fellowships, loans, a graduate assistantship and a separate job as a teacher at a community college.

Graduate School – Living Life

What are the time commitments for a PhD in religion?

My time commitments for a PhD in religion vary from week to week depending on my workload. I take 3 to 4 classes per week, so I am usually in class for about 9 hours. I also spend 20 hours per week reading and writing, as well as 10 hours per week teaching or grading papers as a graduate assistant. A PhD program is basically a full-time job.

How has graduate school affected your personal life?

Graduate school has affected my personal life in the sense that my availability is awkward. My graduate schedule is not compatible with people who are working in the private sector, so I am usually not free when my friends are. In addition, graduate school can be stressful for my family because they may not understand what the dissertation process entails or the value of graduate school in general.

In order to balance graduate school and my personal life, I try to approach graduate school like a job. I maintain a strict work schedule in order to avoid procrastinating or wasting time.

Graduate School – After Graduation

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

In the next 5 years, I hope to be working as a professor of religious studies at a 4-year college or university.

Graduate School - Advice

What insights can you offer a student who is interested in pursuing a PhD in religion?

I would advise a student who is interested in pursuing a PhD in religion to consult different national organizations and news outlets in order to determine the forecast of jobs in their area of interest. Before committing a significant amount of time, energy and money into getting a degree, they need to figure out whether or not they can eventually secure a job in their field of study. Jobs include teaching, researching and working for a think tank. Right now, there is a huge demand for people who specialize in Islam because of post 9/11 events.