1. General Information

The Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies focuses on examining diverse schools of thought that have emerged throughout the history of ideas, the transformations these ideas have brought about in contemporary individuals and societies, and the debates surrounding them. Its research areas include the history of philosophy, Islamic philosophy, philosophy of religion, logic, religious education, sociology of religion, psychology of religion, and the history of religions. The department not only studies the intellectual heritage of the past but also aims to explore contemporary intellectual movements.

2. Qualification Awarded

Students who successfully complete the program and meet all program requirements are awarded a Master’s Degree in Philosophy and Religious Studies.

3. Level of Qualification

Master’s Degree

4. Admission and Registration Requirements

Applicants must meet the following criteria:

• A bachelor’s degree,

• A valid score from the Turkish Graduate Education Entrance Examination (ALES),

• For international students (except those educated in Türkiye): a TÖMER certificate demonstrating Turkish proficiency at the C1 level,

• Successful completion of the Oral Scientific Examination (Interview).

5. Recognition of Prior Learning

Students who wish to transfer credits from previously completed coursework or special student status must apply to the institute within the first four weeks of the semester in which they enroll. Applications should include a petition to the department chair, an official transcript, and approved course descriptions. Transfer requests are finalized by the decision of the Institute Administrative Board.

6. Qualification Requirements and Regulations

Students must complete at least 27 local credits, including a Seminar course, and fulfill a minimum of 120 ECTS credits. They must not receive FF, DZ, or YZ grades, must successfully complete all coursework, and must obtain a minimum GPA of 3.00/4.00. Students are also required to prepare a thesis related to their field and successfully defend it before an appointed jury. Those who meet all requirements are awarded a Master’s diploma in Philosophy and Religious Studies.

7. Program Profile (Objective)

The program aims to cultivate a scientific perspective in the field of Philosophy and Religious Studies; to produce academic knowledge within relevant disciplines; to share this knowledge in national and international scholarly settings; and to encourage critical thinking, intellectual curiosity, open-mindedness, and the development of a deep understanding of oneself, others, and the world.

8. Program Learning Outcomes

1. Students gain the ability to explain, interpret, and compare religious phenomena in diverse historical, social, and cultural contexts.

2. Students learn various theories and approaches to the nature and meaning of religion across academic fields such as religious studies, philosophy, psychology, and sociology.

3. Students analyze and interpret the intersections of religion with other cultural dimensions such as science, politics, ethics, education, art, and popular culture.

4. Students critically analyze significant questions and issues shaped by the intellectual heritage of religious tradition.

5. Students gain knowledge and insight into fundamental concepts and methods of the social sciences—such as philosophy, sociology, and psychology—to explain religious phenomena.

6. Students acquire introductory knowledge of major figures and philosophical approaches that shaped the history of Islamic philosophy and their interaction with other fields of religious studies.

7. Students develop an understanding of how philosophy and religion contribute to addressing concerns across different disciplines and everyday life.

8. Students learn to identify, analyze, and evaluate arguments, thereby developing critical thinking and critical reading skills in both oral and written expression.

9. Students access and distinguish primary and secondary sources in the field; select appropriate sources for research topics; and report their research findings.

10. Students specialize in interdisciplinary study by learning the elements and forms of religious experience such as beliefs, rituals, symbols, institutions, oral and written narratives, ethical systems, communities, practices, and material culture.

11. Students conduct an independent research project and produce an original, valid, and meaningful thesis supported by appropriate academic sources.

 

9. Occupational Profiles of Graduates

Graduates of the Master’s Program in Philosophy and Religious Studies may work more competently in the fields of education and religious services. They may also find employment as Research Assistants or Lecturers in faculties such as Theology, Islamic Sciences, Arts and Sciences, Humanities and Social Sciences, Education, and Social and Behavioral Sciences.

10. Access to Higher Degree Programs

Students who successfully complete the Master’s program and meet the necessary requirements are eligible to apply for the PhD Program in Philosophy and Religious Studies. They may also apply to PhD programs in other disciplines if they fulfill the respective admission requirements.

11. Exams, Assessment and Evaluation

Attendance is compulsory in graduate programs. Students whose attendance rate is below seventy percent in theoretical courses and below eighty percent in applied courses cannot take the final exam of the relevant course and are considered unsuccessful. They repeat the failed courses. The success level of the student is measured by the studies and / or midterm exams to be held during the semester and the final studies and / or exams at the end of the semester. For each course, the proportions of the studies and midterm exams during the semester and the final exam to be included in the success grade are determined by the faculty member at the beginning of the semester and announced in the student information system. Except for the specialization course, seminar course and thesis studies, the rates determined for the midterm and final evaluations of the other courses cannot be less than 40% for each. In distance education, this rate is regulated according to the relevant legislation. The success grade for each course is calculated over 100 points and letter grades are determined according to the table below.

Master Program
Success Grade	Letter Grade	Coefficient	Success Degree
90 – 100	AA	4,00	PERFECT
80 – 89	BA	3,50	VERY GOOD
75 – 79	BB	3,00	GOOD
70 – 74	CB	2,50	GOOD-ADEQUATE
65 – 69	CC	2,00	SUFFICIENT
64 ve below	FF	0,00	FAIL

 

 

12. Graduation Requirements

Graduation requirements are as described in the "Qualification Requirements and Rules" section.

13. Mode of Study (Full-time, e-learning)

Full Time

Note: Unless the University Executive Board decides otherwise, trainings are conducted face-to-face.

14. Address and Contact Information

Head of Department: Prof. Dr. Abdüllatif TÜZER

E-mail: atuzer@ogu.edu.tr

Tel: +90 (222) 239 37 50 - 6052

 

Erasmus Coordinator: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Aybiçe TOSUN SUVÜT

E-mail: atosun@ogu.edu.tr

Tel: +90 (222) 239 37 50 - 6073

 

Eskisehir Osmangazi University Faculty of Theology

Address: Büyükdere Mahallesi Atatürk Bulvarı T.C. Eskişehir Osmangazi University Meşelik Campus Faculty of Theology Odunpazarı / ESKİŞEHİR PK:26480

Telephone: +90 (222) 239 37 50 - 6000 (Dean's Office) - 6014 (Department Secretariat)

E-mail: ilahiyat@ogu.edu.tr

15. Program Facilities

The Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies has 4 Professors, 5 Associate Professors, 5 Assistant Professors, and 1 Doctor Lecturer. Department meetings and seminars are held in the Faculty of Theology Meeting Hall and in the Meeting and Seminar Rooms of the ESOGÜ Institute of Social Sciences.

16. Academic Staff

Department of History of Philosophy

Prof. Dr. Abdüllatif TÜZER

Department of Philosophy of Religion

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Abdülhan ÜNLÜSOY

Department of Islamic Philosophy

Prof. Dr. Kamil SARITAŞ

Department of Logic

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Şerefettin ADSOY

Department of History of Religions

Asst. Prof. Dr. Aynur ÇINAR
Dr. Lecturer Ömer Faruk KALINTÜRK

Department of Psychology of Religion

Prof. Dr. Mustafa KOÇ
Asst. Prof. Dr. Durali KARACAN

Department of Sociology of Religion

Prof. Dr. Ahmet Özalp
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Yılmaz ARI
Asst. Prof. Dr. Betül AKGÖL

Department of Religious Education

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Aybiçe TOSUN SÜVÜT
Assoc. Prof. Dr. İshak TEKİN
Asst. Prof. Dr. Ayşe YORULMAZ
Asst. Prof. Dr. Kübra YILDIZ