​The flexibility of the Religion program makes it an excellent choice for students who want to build professional depth and expertise. Many ​of our students take Religion as a double major or minor to add to their understanding of other fields. A number of courses from related disciplines (e.g. History, Philosophy, English) can also be counted towards the Religion major and minor. The program strives to give you a foundation in understanding religious phenomena, the ability to think clearly about the social and personal issues religion addresses, and preparation for a variety of careers.

The Religion program provides variety and depth in its course offerings. All members of the department teach both introductory and upper level courses. This assures a quality learning experience for students and is one of the reasons why students rate our department very high in terms of excellence in the classroom.

The Religion program also participates in cooperative overseas programs. You can study in such places as India, Japan, and Israel earning credit through programs sponsored by other American universities.

Why Study Religion?

​A major or a minor in Religion may not seem like the most practical thing you could undertake in this life, but appearances are often deceptive.

In a world of constant change, the best way to prepare for the future may be to develop the skills you will need to understand, interpret, and respond to changes. And in a world where the entire globe has become our neighborhood, the best way to prepare for work may be to get to know your neighbors.

The study of religion, as a liberal arts discipline, is ideally suited to these purposes. Religion is one of the most important forces shaping history, culture, and personal experience. To understand religion is to understand--and develop a stance towards--the most pressing concerns in life. Our approach to this study stresses critical reading and writing skills, a broad base of global understanding, and reflection on ethical issues.

Given the importance of moral, social, aesthetic, and other value questions in our lives, religion will expand your educational horizons. It will give you insight into the human condition as well as an international understanding of this and other cultures.​

Careers in Religion​

The study of religion educates you in skills of analysis, interpretation, and comparison, and gives you a solid grounding in global cultures and social issues. This makes it relevant to any of the fields in which religion plays a role, as well as those that require similar skills of analysis and understanding. These include:

  • Law
  • Journalism
  • International Business
  • Psychology
  • Social Work
  • Counseling
  • Medicine
  • Allied Health Professions
  • Religious Professions
  • Education​