Religious Studies Major

• What is Religious Studies?
• What Kinds of Students Major in Religious Studies?
• What Courses Do Religious Studies Majors Take?
• List of Religious Studies Jobs
• What is the Median Salary Range for Religious Studies Careers?
• College and University Departments to Consider

What is Religious Studies?

Religious studies majors investigate and reflect on the world’s religions in an objective, yet appreciative manner. This major helps students develop an understanding of the nature of religion and its role in an individual’s and in our social life. Students obtain insights into the religious diversity in the United States and the world. They are interpret religion empathetically and critically and compare and contrast historical and contemporary differences and similarities among religious systems. They understand how religion influences and is influenced by the historical, social, and cultural contexts in which they are found. A student examines the beliefs and values of contemporary and historical cultures and how they are shaped by societal factors, tradition, and literary and artistic expression. Scholars study how religious beliefs came to be accepted as true and how they came to acquire their unique form and content. Examining the impact religious beliefs have had on a variety of intellectual and social communities, religious studies includes the study of the major religious traditions, texts, and other religious phenomena. It draws on numerous disciplines such as anthropology, sociology, psychology, philosophy, theology, history and literature. Religious studies achieves a comprehensive understanding of phenomena that represent some of the most aspects of the human spirit.

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What Kinds of Students Major in Religious Studies?

Religious studies majors engage in a wide ranging, liberal education that can include the learning of modern and ancient languages as well as the study of many other cultures and view-points. Students should be interested in interpreting documents, constructing arguments, evaluating the coherence of their own and others' belief systems. They should want to learn about historical, philosophical and anthropological approaches to profound religious questions. Religious studies students are invited to think about religion, society and the world in which we live from a variety of perspectives. Religious studies is a pure academic discipline that requires no commitment to a particular religion or religious orientation, though it does not prohibit this, of course. Students who wish to pursue a career within a religion may also choose a more professionally-oriented course of study, pre-theological studies. This is a course of study that may have some elements in common with religious studies, but that is directed at producing people who are committed to their religion as a practicing professional.

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What Courses Do Religious Studies Majors Take?

The required and elective courses you would take for Religious Studies majors vary considerably among institutions. Courses are listed here that are illustrative of the breadth of topics you are likely to experience were you to major in this field.

Asian Religions	Christianity
European Religions	Islam and Near Eastern Religions
Judaism	Mediterranean Religions
The Bible	The Koran

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List of Potential Jobs in Religious Studies

These professions and professional organizations illustrate the types of positions you might qualify for if you complete this major. Some majors are more directly related to employment than others, however. You should consider the likelihood of employment after graduation carefully, if you do not plan to go on for graduate work in a field. Even with the completion of graduate work in some fields, however, employment is difficult, so you should determine what the prospects are for this or any major. Employment possibilities are often enhanced by the selecting employment-related courses and by the enrollment in second major or in a minor.

Associate Pastor	Campus Minister
Campus Religious Coordinator	Chaplin
Counselor	Denominational Administrator
Director of Religious Development	Missionary
Priest or Pastor	Religious Education Teacher
Religious Staff Writer	Seminary Administrator

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What is the Median Salary Range for Religious Studies Careers?

U.S. Median Salary(starting):$34,800

U.S. Median Salary(mid-career):$57,500

Note: These numbers are national averages so you could make more or less than these amounts. Actual expected salaries will vary depending on your chosen career path, experience, and even your geographic location. Are you interested in detailed information about the forecasted demand for a particular profession? Are you interested in the estimated salaries such positions are likely to pay? This government Web site allows you to search on a particular job, whether listed here or not, to give you this information.

Bureau of Labor Statistics

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Colleges and Universities offering majors in Religious Studies

MyMajors complete list has 1,374 schools in the USA with a major in Religious Studies.
-View the national listing!

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