M.Sc.Ed. Geography and World Religions
🎓 Master of Science in Education (M.Sc.Ed.) - Geography and World Religions
🌿 Purpose
The Master of Science in Education in Geography and World Religions fosters education as a journey of knowledge, reflection, and responsibility. It encourages understanding of how geography, culture, and belief shape human experience, guiding learners toward empathy and ethical awareness.
The program’s spiritual–vocational aim is to unite intellectual growth with a sense of global purpose — forming educators and researchers who act with integrity, curiosity, and compassion, and who contribute to building a more suitable and interconnected world.
Major: Geography and World Religions
Duration: 2 years (4 semesters)
Total Load: 60 SCH ≈ 120 ECTS (see conversion below)
Institutional Level: Graduate / Master's degree (EQF Level 7)
Accreditation Basis: aligned with European Bologna Process
🔍 Program Overview
This Master’s program trains educators and researchers to integrate geographic knowledge, religious literacy, and intercultural educational practice. It focuses on spatial and cultural dimensions of religion, global diversity, and pedagogical innovation.
Learning Goals
Graduates will:
- Understand global religious traditions and their geographic expressions.
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Demonstrate advanced understanding of geographic, cultural, and religious systems.
- Design educational programs addressing multiculturalism and interfaith understanding.
- Design curricula promoting interreligious dialogue and global citizenship.
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Employ digital tools and innovative teaching strategies in multicultural classrooms.
- Apply geographic information systems (GIS) and digital tools in education.
- Conduct research on the intersection of geography, religion, and education.
- Develop advanced communication and intercultural competencies.
⚙️ Credit Conversion: SCH ↔ ECTS
| Credit System | Hours of Student Work | European Equivalent |
1 Year of Study | 30 SCH | 60 ECTS |
| 1 SCH (U.S.) | ~45/50 hours (15 contact + 30/35 independent work) | ≈ 2 ECTS |
| 60 SCH (U.S. total) | ~2700 - 3000 hours | ≈ 120 ECTS |
| Therefore, this program’s load equals a two-year European master’s degree under Bologna standards. |
🧭 Curriculum Structure (60 SCH ≈ 120 ECTS)
| Area | SCH | Description |
| Core Disciplinary Courses | 18 | Foundations in geography, education, and religion |
| Harvard MOOC Religion Modules | 8 (distributed in 7 mandatory courses + 1 elective course) | “World Religions Through Their Scriptures” & related HarvardX courses |
| Advanced & Elective Courses | 15 | Specialized topics and field applications |
| Research Methods & Statistics | 4 | Quantitative, qualitative, and spatial methods |
| Internship / Field Practicum | 5 | Applied experience in education or community |
| Thesis / Capstone Project / | 6 | Independent interdisciplinary research |
| Seminars & Workshops | 4 | Interdisciplinary enrichment activities |
🗓 Semester-by-Semester Breakdown
Year 1 – Semester 1 (15 SCH ≈ 30 ECTS)
Code | Course | SCH | Description |
EDU 601 | Human Geography and Globalization | 3 | Spatial organization, migration, urbanization, and cultural landscapes. |
EDU 602 | Foundations of Educational Theory | 3 | Historical and philosophical roots of pedagogy; modern educational models. |
| Harvard MOOC: Religious Literacy: Traditions and Scriptures | 1 | Online course introducing major world traditions and interpretive frameworks. | |
EDU 604 | Quantitative Methods for Social Sciences | 3 | Statistics, regression, and basic data modeling for educational research. |
GEO 605 | GIS and Digital Mapping Laboratory | 3 | Introduction to geographic information systems for educational applications. |
EDU 613 | Qualitative & Ethnographic Methods in Education | 1 | Field observation, interviews, discourse and narrative analysis. |
EDU 606 | Interdisciplinary Seminar I | 1 | Workshops on integrating geography, religion, and pedagogy. |
Year 1 – Semester 2 (15 SCH ≈ 30 ECTS)
Code | Course | SCH | Description |
Advanced Elective (choose one) | 3 | Example: Environmental Spirituality, Religious Migration, Urban Religious Landscapes. | |
GEO 611 | Geography of Religion and Sacred Space | 3 | Spatial study of sacred sites, pilgrimage routes, and territoriality of belief. |
| Harvard MOOC: Buddhism, Christianity and Islam through Their Scriptures | 3 | Comparative analysis of textual traditions (HarvardX). | |
EDU 614 | Educational Technology and E-Learning | 3 | ICT integration, instructional design, and digital pedagogy. |
GEO 711 | Advanced GIS & Spatial Statistics
| 1 | Advanced spatial modeling and visualization for cultural analysis |
EDU 615L | Short Field Practicum | 1 | Observation and application in educational or community settings. |
EDU 616 | Interdisciplinary Seminar II | 1 | Contemporary issues in cultural geography and religious studies. |
Year 2 – Semester 3 (15 SCH ≈ 30 ECTS)
Code | Course | SCH | Description |
| Harvard MOOC: Hinduism and Judaism through Their Scriptures | 2 | Scriptural traditions and practices (HarvardX series). | |
| Harvard MOOC: Sikhism through Their Scriptures | 1 | Religion and geopolitics; interfaith peacebuilding (HarvardX). | |
Harvard MOOC: Religion, Conflict, and Peace in Contemporary Global Affairs | 1 | Elective | |
EDU 703 | Education and Religious Pluralism | 3 | Pedagogical approaches for multifaith classrooms and inclusive curricula. |
POL 704 | Religion and Political Theory | 3 | Relations between religion, state, and human rights. |
GEO 705 | Fieldwork / Applied Research Lab | 1 | Community mapping or religious geography project. |
EDU 706 | Advanced Thematic Seminar | 1 | Expert workshops, case studies, or visiting scholar lectures. |
Advanced Elective (choose one) | 3 | Example: Environmental Spirituality, Religious Migration, Urban Religious Landscapes. |
Year 2 – Semester 4 (15 SCH ≈ 30 ECTS)
Code | Course | SCH | Description |
EDU 713 | Extended Internship / Professional Placement | 4 | Supervised practice in schools, NGOs, or religious organizations. |
EDU 714 | Master’s Thesis / Capstone Research Project | 6 | Original research integrating geography, education, and religion. |
EDU 715 | Final Seminar & Thesis Defense Workshop | 5 | Academic writing, presentation, and dissemination of results. |
🌍 Harvard MOOC Integration (9–12 SCH)
Integrated HarvardX/edX courses:
- World Religions Through Their Scriptures (series of 7 modules)
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Religion, Conflict, and Peace
Each completed, verified course counts as 1 SCH ≈ 2 ECTS.
Certificates are transferred into the academic record as recognized credits.
The following Harvard University MOOCs (free without verified certificates or for credit through HarvardX/edX) are embedded in the curriculum and recognized for academic credit only upon verified certified completion:
- Religious Literacy: Traditions and Scriptures
- Christianity Through Its Scriptures
- Buddhism Through Its Scriptures
- Islam Through Its Scriptures
- Hinduism Through Its Scriptures
- Judaism Through Its Scriptures
- Sikhism Through Its Scriptures
- Religion, Conflict, and Peace
Each completed and verified MOOC = 1 SCH (≈ 2 ECTS).
Students must complete eight courses for 8 SCH total. The eighth is an elective and may be changed with another elective course of 1 SCH
Payment of Harvard courses for credit (Verified Certificates) is apart on EDX platform.
📊 Assessment and Quality Standards
Aligned with FLDOE graduate education frameworks and European Bologna descriptors:
| Competency Area | U.S. FLDOE Standard | European EQF / ECTS Descriptor |
| Knowledge & Understanding | Content mastery in geography and religion | Advanced theoretical and practical understanding (Level 7) |
| Application & Practice | Curriculum design and applied fieldwork | Applying knowledge in educational or research contexts |
| Research Skills | Data collection, analysis, thesis | Methodological competence and critical evaluation |
| Communication | Presentation, intercultural mediation | Communicate conclusions clearly to expert/non-expert audiences |
| Autonomy | Capstone project, independent research | High degree of autonomy and responsibility |
🧩 Possible Career Outcomes
- Secondary or postsecondary teacher in Geography, Religion, or Global Studies
- Curriculum developer or educational consultant
- Researcher in cultural geography, geography of religion, or education policy
- Specialist in interreligious dialogue or multicultural training
- NGO or governmental advisor on religion and development
- NGO Specialist in Interfaith or Global Education
- Curriculum Designer for multicultural education
- Policy Analyst in Cultural Integration and Development
🎓 THESIS REQUIREMENTS
- Original research integrating geography, religion, and education.
- Written dissertation (20,000–25,000 words) and oral defense.
- Supervision by dual faculty (Education + Religious/Geographic Studies).
📜 Degree Awarded
Master of Science in Education (M.Sc.Ed.) — Geography and World Religions
Awarded upon completion of 60 SCH (≈120 ECTS), successful defense of the Master’s Thesis, and fulfillment of internship requirements.