About 59% of graduates with a degree in religious studies had careers in management, education, libraries, community and social services, legal services, and business or finance (Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2022).

Median Pay: $60,000

Typical Entry-Level Education: 66% of jobs require at least a Bachelor's degree

Number of Jobs: 495,600

Job Outlook: A 1% growth is projected between 2022-2032

Above information sourced from 2022 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

A minimum 2.0 GPA is the requirement for admission at Union Commonwealth University. 

Religious Studies Major B.A. Requirements (30 Credit Hours)

Students must also fulfill the B.A. language requirement by either:

• Completing six (6) credit hours in a world language (or the equivalent at the elementary level in one language not native to the student).
• Completing PHIL 260, Logic and Language (3 credit hours) and three (3) courses: GREK 113, Morphology & Syntax in Classical Languages I (1 credit hour); GREK 114, Morphology & Syntax in Classical Languages II (1 credit hour); and GREK 213, Intermediate Greek Readings (1 credit hour).

Requires 30 semester hours including:

RLGN 211 History & Faith of Ancient Israel (3 Credit Hours)

A study of selected writings of the Hebrew Bible, Apocrypha, and New Testament, with particular attention to the historical development of religious faith and practice in ancient Israel from earliest times to the rise of Christianity. Attention is also given to the formation and development of Judaism in relation to the formation of its scriptural canon. Students are introduced to various scholarly methods of biblical interpretation. Even years.

Or

HIST 113 Religion and Empire (3 Credit Hours)

This course examines the role of religion in the maintenance of Roman, Christian, and Islamic empires, with particular attention to religiously inspired art, architecture, and literature. The course begins with an examination of the rise of the Roman Empire and proceeds to examine the Christian transformation of that empire from Constantine through the Middle Ages. The primary focus is “Christendom” in Western Europe, with limited attention to developments in the Byzantine Empire. The rise and spread of Islam is also examined, with special attention given to the interaction between Christian and Muslim civilization. The course ends with examination of forces that challenge the medieval political-religious establishment in Western Europe in the late Middle Ages and Renaissance. Prerequisite: HIST 110 or permission from instructor. May cross-list with HUMN 112.

RLGN 231 Topics in World Religions (3 Credit Hours)

An introduction to the academic study of religion through an examination of the relationship between religion and culture in the world’s major religious traditions: Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Possible topics of focus include religious law and ethics, varieties of religious experience, and role of geography in the rise and spread of the major religions. Odd years.

PHIL 261 Topics in Philosophy of Religion (3 Credit Hours)

An introduction to philosophy through the examination of philosophical issues related to religious faith, such as arguments for the existence of God, the problem of evil, religious language, mysticism and religious experience, revelation and reason, natural law, miracles, life after death, relativism and pluralism, particularism, and universalism. Course will include traditional and contemporary approaches. Even years only.

RLGN 301 Readings in Religion (1 Credit Hour)

Reading course for Religious Studies majors and minors, taken in the junior year. Prerequisite: permission from instructor.

Or

PHIL 301 Readings in Philosophy (1 Credit Hour)

Reading courses for Religious Studies majors and minors, taken in the junior year. Prerequisite: permission from instructor.

RLGN 302 (Readings in Religion (1 Credit Hour)

Reading course for Religious Studies majors and minors, taken in the junior year. Prerequisite: permission from instructor.

Or

PHIL 302 Readings in Philosophy (1 Credit Hour)

Reading courses for Religious Studies majors and minors, taken in the junior year. Prerequisite: permission from instructor.

RLGN 251 Topics in Early Christianity (3 Credit Hours)

The course examines important historical and theological developments in Christianity from the New Testament period until the late Middle Ages, with particular attention to the interpretation of Jesus’ life and teachings in social and cultural context. Based on topic, this course may cross-list with courses in History, Art History, or Philosophy. Odd years.

RLGN 256 Topics in Modern Christianity (3 Credit Hours)

The course examines important historical and theological developments in Christianity since the Reformation. Particular attention is given to the development of "historical consciousness" and the implications for theology, ethics, and biblical hermeneutics. Based on topic, this course may cross-list with courses in History, Art History, or Philosophy. Odd years.

HUMN 477 Philosophy of Life (3 Credit Hours)

The senior Capstone seminar for History and Religious Studies majors (but any student may take the course). Interdisciplinary Social Sciences

Elective courses, any 3 of the following totaling 9 hours:

RLGN 454 Religion in the United States (3 Credit Hours)

A phenomenological and historical study of the varieties of religious practice in the United States. Possible topics include civil religion, new religious movements, and the impact of Diasporas from the southern hemisphere. Prerequisite: RLGN 211 or RLGN 231, or permission from instructor. Even years only. 

RLGN 452 Renaissance & Reformation (3 Credit Hours)

A study of the medieval roots of the Renaissance, the Protestant Reformation, and the Catholic counter-reformation, and their contribution to the beginnings of the early modern period of European history. The principal focus is the complex relationship between Renaissance humanism and Reformation religious thought and the enduring social and cultural influence of the two movements on Western civilization. Prerequisite: RLGN 211 or RLGN 231, or permission from instructor. The course may cross-list with HIST 451. Odd years only

RLGN 461 Islamic Religion and Civilizations (3 Credit Hours)

The political and religious history of the Middle East from the beginning of Islam to the beginning of the modern era. Particular attention is given to interaction with Greek and Christian civilizations. Cross-lists with HIST 461. Even years only.

RLGN 479 Seminar in Religion (3 credit hours)

Intensive study of special topics in religion. Prerequisites: advanced standing and permission from instructor.

RLGN 495 Independent Study (3 credit hours)

Independent study or research on approved topics. Prerequisite: permission from instructor. May be repeated for credit.

PHIL 352 Ethics & Political Philosophy (3 Credit Hours

A topical course focusing on questions related to the nature of moral value, skepticism and relativism, the individual and society, concepts of justice, and contemporary moral issues. Emphasis is placed upon helping students to develop skills in moral reasoning and the historical, social, and cultural contextualization of philosophical ideas. Prerequisites: One (1) course in philosophy and one (1) course in religion or permission from instructor. Even years only.

Or a second sequence of:

RLGN 301 / PHIL 301 Readings in Religion / Readings in Philosophy (1 Credit Hour)

Reading course for Religious Studies majors and minors, taken in the junior year. Prerequisite: permission from instructor.

RLGN 302 / PHIL 302 Readings in Religion / Readings in Philosophy (1 Credit Hour)

Reading course for Religious Studies majors and minors, taken in the junior year. Prerequisite: permission from instructor.

Religious Studies Minor Requirements (18 Credit Hours)

18 Semester Hours in Religious Studies including:

HIST 211 Topics in Global History (3 Credit Hours)

A study of such topics in global history as the building and maintenance of empire, colonization and de-colonization, impact of industrialization and secularization on societies around the world, nationalisms and revolutionary movements, and religious and ideological antagonisms (e.g., Islam and the West). The reading and interpretation of primary sources of historical information receives special attention. Course may be taken for credit more than once provided that the topic of the course is different each time it is taken.

And at least 9 credit hours in courses numbered above 300