Religious Studies, BA

Social and Behavioral Sciences Department

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Program Overview

Religious Studies, BA

The B.A. in Religious Studies (120 credits) explores major global faith traditions and their impact on culture and ethics. This degree prepares you for careers in education, public policy, and non-profit work by strengthening your critical thinking and global analysis skills.

Credits Required
At least 120 credits
GPA Required
2.0 or higher
Degree Designation
Bachelor of Arts

Major

Description

As a Religious Studies major, you’ll analyze foundational texts, practices, and philosophical thought. You’ll complete a required Field Experience/Internship and choose a concentration in Philosophy & Religion or Religion & Social Justice to tailor your focus.

Course

Requirements

To earn your B.A. in Religious Studies (120 credits total), you must fulfill the following:

  1. General Education Requirements (Common Core & College Option)

    • Required Core (12 Credits): ENGL 112, ENGL 150 (English Comp.), MTH 115 or higher (Math), and BIO 101 or PHS 101 (Science).
    • Flexible Core (18 Credits): One course in each of the five areas (World Cultures, U.S. Experience, Creative Expressions, Individual & Society, Scientific World), BIO 211 or CIS 101 plus one additional Flexible Core course.
    • College Option (9 Credits): One course each from the Socio-Cultural & Diversity Cluster, Humanities, Social & Behavioral Sciences, and Natural Sciences & Mathematics.

  2. Major Requirements (78 Credits Minimum)

    • Foundation/Core: PHIL 101 (Logic), PHIL 201 (Ethics), REL 101 (Intro to Religion), REL 102 (Survey), REL 111 & 112 (Comp. World Religions I & II)
    • Upper-Level Core: REL 211 (Interfaith Movement), ANTH 201 (Culture), REL 312 (Sociology of Religion), REL 402 (Gender & Religion), REL 421 (Research Methods), REL 450 (African Traditional Religion)
    • Capstone/Experience: REL 499 (Field Experience/Internship), REL 500 (Senior Seminar)
    • Concentration: 12 Credits (Choose ONE track below)
    • Departmental Electives: 18 Credits (Choose from REL 301, 340, 342, 490; PHIL 211, 212; ECON 302, etc.)
    • Free Electives: 3 Credits (Any course not used to meet other requirements)

      • Note: You must maintain a minimum grade of C in all major core courses and achieve a 2.0 GPA for graduation.

Concentration Tracks (Choose One – 12 Credits)

  • Philosophy & Religion: PHIL 301 (Black Philosophical Thought), PHIL 330 (Philosophy of Religion), REL 321 (Buddhism/Hinduism), REL 322 (Contemporary Issues)
  • Religion & Social Justice: REL 333 (Peace Education), REL 351 (Religious Ethics), REL 371 (Caribbean Religions), REL 410 (Role of the Church in the Black Community)

Degree Map
To help you stay on track and graduate on time, Medgar Evers College has developed four-year degree maps for all its majors. These guides are designed to help you plan your studies efficiently and make the most of your academic journey.

View Degree Map