Academics > Majors and Areas of Study > Religion > Program Requirements

The Religion Department offers majors and minors in religion and parish education. The first of these is a general liberal arts major suitable for any student interested in such a liberal arts background. Both provide students greater depth for a professional career or graduate study.

Religion Major Requirements

Students majoring in Religion must fulfill the following minimum requirements:

Thirty-one credit hours in Religion including REL 120, REL 110, and REL 190 and two credit hours each in REL 330 and REL 340 to be taken no earlier than the second term of the junior year. A maximum of three credit hours of REL 380 or REL 390 may be applied toward the major.

Three credit hours in Philosophy to be taken preferably in the freshman year from among PHIL 127,
PHIL 147, and PHIL 157.

Religion Minor Requirements

Students minoring in religion must meet the following minimum requirements:

REL 120 Interpreting the Jewish and Christian Scriptures
REL 110 Introduction to Religion
REL 155 Christian Beliefs
or
REL 200 Contemporary Ethical Issues
REL 140 History of Christianity
or
REL 160 Religion in the United States
REL 190 World Religions
One additional upper-level Religion course except REL 330, 340, or 390.

Parish Education Major Requirements

Students desiring to prepare for careers in parish education must fulfill the
following requirements:

Twenty-eight credit hours in Religion including REL120, REL150, REL 300, and any other
courses offered by the Religion Department except REL 330 and REL 340.

Certification in elementary education (see Education Department) or at least the following courses: EDUC 214, EDUC 314, CSCI 111, CSCI 112, PSY 240, PSY 244, and SOC 261.

A supervised parish education field experience in a congregation.

Parish Education Minor Requirements

Students minoring in parish education must meet the following minimum
requirements:

REL 120 Interpreting the Jewish and Christian Scriptures
REL 155 Christian Beliefs
REL 140 History of Christianity
REL 250 Psychology of Religion
or
EDUC 112 Educational Psychology
REL 300 Parish Education
One additional upper-level Religion course except REL 330, 340, or 390.