Religious Studies
Department of Philosophy and Religion
Religious studies examine spiritual belief, practices, and worship activities. Undergraduate courses in religion are geared toward the preparation for life rather than a specific type of work, and provide an excellent background for a variety of careers. A background religion can help develop character and personal skills which are extremely important in most job situations: specifically, the abilities to listen carefully and critically; think clearly; analyze and organize ideas; write; defend one’s position rationally; stimulate discussion; and question, confront, support, evaluate, reshape, and understand different points of view.
Sample issues in religion: Is religion a matter of behavior, belief, or ritual? What are the major religions of the world? How are they similar and different? How can we read a religion's literature with better understanding? How does religion relate to science? Does science disprove religion? How has Christianity shaped European culture and been shaped by it? How has Islam influenced the culture of the Middle East? What happens to religions like Islam and Christianity as they are introduced to new cultures and regions?
The following are examples of career titles for Religious Studies majors. Keep in mind some of these careers will require education beyond the Baccalaureatelevel.
Related Career Titles
Religious studies examine spiritual belief, practices, and worship activities. Undergraduate courses in religion are geared toward the preparation for life rather than a specific type of work, and provide an excellent background for a variety of careers. A background religion can help develop character and personal skills which are extremely important in most job situations: specifically, the abilities to listen carefully and critically; think clearly; analyze and organize ideas; write; defend one’s position rationally; stimulate discussion; and question, confront, support, evaluate, reshape, and understand different points of view.
Sample issues in religion: Is religion a matter of behavior, belief, or ritual? What are the major religions of the world? How are they similar and different? How can we read a religion's literature with better understanding? How does religion relate to science? Does science disprove religion? How has Christianity shaped European culture and been shaped by it? How has Islam influenced the culture of the Middle East? What happens to religions like Islam and Christianity as they are introduced to new cultures and regions?
The following are examples of career titles for Religious Studies majors. Keep in mind some of these careers will require education beyond the Baccalaureatelevel.
Related Career Titles
| Affirmative Action Representative Arts Consultant Associate Pastor Author Campus Minister Campus Religious Coordinator Chaplain Church Building Engineer Church Camp Director Clergy Columnist Counselor Critic Denominational Executive Diplomat Director of Religious Education Editorial Assistant Employment Interviewer Financial Consultant Foreign Services Officer Fund-raiser Guidance Counselor Hospital Administrator Journalist Labor Relations Researcher Lawyer Lobbyist Management Trainee Minister | Minister of Music Missionary Nonprofit/NGO Manager Nursing Home Director Paralegal Pastor Political Campaign Worker Priest Professor Psychologist Public Policy Manager Public Relations Representative Public Service Official Rabbi Religious Bookstore Worker Religious Education Teacher Religious Educational Administrator Religious Researcher Religious Staff Writer Reporter Research Assistant Researcher/Historian Sales Representative Salvation Army Worker Seminary Administrator Social Worker YMCA/YWCA Worker Youth Minister |
Some Employers of Philosophy and Religion Majors
| Business & Industry Colleges & Universities Consulting Firms Government Hospitals Media | Newspapers & Magazines Non-Profit Organizations Political Parties Publishing Companies Religious Associations State & Federal Government |
Related Major Skills
| Close, extensive reading Communicating in logical manner Curiosity Debating Skills Deductive Reasoning Interest in pursuing, exploring, and explaining intangible ideas | Objectivity Open-mindedness Oratory Skills Problem Solving Self-discipline Theory Development Work Independently |
Professional Organizations and Associations
American Academy of Religion
American Association of Political Consultants
Evangelical Press Association
National Database of Nonprofit Organizations
World Council of Churches
