Religion: Study Resource & Degree Program Information

General Information About Religious Studies Degrees

Religious studies deals with the history, tradition and society of world religions as well as the diverse and divisive or unifying roles religion plays in modern society. Religious studies also explores the concepts, myths and symbolism behind religious texts, architecture and arts. Rituals, ethics and moral systems are all discussed in religion courses, along with the core beliefs of ancient civilizations and how those beliefs affect the present.

Part of the ongoing goal of studying world religions is viewing each respective philosophy and its beliefs from a global perspective. Much of the cultural symbolism and mythos in any area of the world derives from its primary religion and can be seen in art, music, literature and moral issues and affecting politics, economics, society and ethics. In a sense, religious studies is more of an examination of multiculturalism so much as it is a look at theological practices.

While the five major religions will be covered, different schools offer various courses in smaller religions or religious sects. The cultures of China, Japan, Africa and the Americas are often presented as elective courses. Anthropology, history, philosophy, ethnic studies and sociology are some of the other subjects required within the major.

Bachelor Of Arts In Religious Studies

A Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies emphasizes critical thinking, analyzing and writing skills along with reading and research. The curriculum covers all introductions to religions and a series of other courses related to specific topics, such as gender roles in religion, traditions or theodicy concerning Islam, Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism and Judaism. Students will also have to participate in seminars and discussion groups as well as write papers and a possible senior thesis, depending on the university. Some schools offer joint degree programs with other humanities offerings, like a degree in philosophy.

Further Education In Religious Studies

Those who wish to further their education in religious studies by becoming a professor or researcher can choose to attend a graduate program that prepares students for academia and professorship in colleges, universities and seminaries. Applicants will need to submit a writing sample, recommendations, college transcripts and a GRE score. Many schools also enforce a foreign language requirement either in a common language like French or in Hebrew, Arabic, Chinese Japanese or Greek. Graduate coursework includes American religious history, ancient Christianity, Islamic studies, Asian religions, Judaic studies, philosophy of religion, New Testament, Old Testament or Hebrew Bible, theology and religious ethics.

Coursework In Religious Studies

The coursework for religious studies includes classes that are specific to particular religious areas, such as a course on the life of Jesus or the philosophy behind karma in Buddhism, Jainism and Hinduism. All students will have to take introductory courses in world religions, along with beginning courses in each field, such as an introduction to Islam, and reading religious texts like the Old Testament.

Classes vary depending on the university, but some courses deal with interdisciplinary facets of learning, such as the relationship between culture and religion, ecology and religion, the ethics and moral issues behind religions, political religions, bioethics, women in religion and literature and religion. Other topics depend on the university’s offerings and faculty, but some possibilities include Zen Buddhism, Jewish culture, the history of Christianity, Taoism, anti-Semitism, Reformation Europe, religious pluralism, fundamentalism, understanding cults, and ancient and modern views on Islam, Judaism, Christianity, Buddhism and Hinduism.

Career Opportunities For Religious Studies Graduates

Many people think that studying religion automatically implies a career as a priest, minister, rabbi or other religious official. While this is the ideal major for students who wish to attend theological graduate studies or seminaries, religious studies prepares students for other professions due to its humanities-based teachings like researching and writing. Job fields for religious studies graduates include law, journalism, government, business, counseling, health care and, of course, teaching and education.

Earning Potential For Religious Studies Degrees

It is harder to measure salary expectations for religious studies, as it is such a broad field with so many opportunities. In general, wages vary for any given job from $31,143 to $57,127. Parish ministers without any experience and a bachelor’s degree in religious studies can earn around $28,000, while a higher degree with no experience starts at around $32,000.The median salary for a religious activities and education director is $53,600. An assistant professorship at a major university starts at $48,000 while a professor with tenure can earn $74,000 on average. Further schooling in other graduate programs will result in different salary ranges, such as if a student continues onto law school.