Religious Studies Major

Religion is a fundamental dimension of the human experience in today’s world. Religious Studies majors at Saint Joseph's University acquire and hone tools for the critical analysis of the major religious traditions found throughout the world.

Request Information
Start Application

What Sets Our Program Apart

  • Religious Studies majors are taught by world-renowned experts in their respective fields. They are well-equipped to pursue other fields requiring the breadth of knowledge, critical discernment, creativity and communication skills cultivated by the disciplines of the humanities.

  • Seven overlapping factors drive life in the world: religion, land, history, economics, politics, race, and climate. Religious Studies majors at Saint Joseph’s University become immersed in all of these as they study the history, sacred texts, belief systems, and the arts and cultures of the world’s great religions.

  • The curriculum’s flexibility allows majors to complete a second major in many disciplines. All majors in the humanities also acquire important skills that are essential in any career: how to read carefully, think critically, formulate persuasive arguments and communicate clearly.

  • In addition to theology or religious studies, students will be prepared to pursue an advanced degree in the following:

    • Law
    • Philosophy
    • History
    • Journalism or Communications
    • Psychology
    • Sociology
    • Social work

What Can You do with a Religious Studies Major?

Most anything you feel called or inspired to do. Upon graduation, religious studies majors have:

  • Joined corporations or non-profits
  • Entered law school
  • Gone to graduate school in theology, philosophy, journalism, business, sociology, psychology and foreign languages
  • Taken a year or two of volunteer service
  • Joined Teach for America or ACE
  • Taken teaching positions in private and parochial schools

Program Details

  • View required courses for this program in the academic catalog. Please contact us if you have any questions about the program curriculum.
     

  • Affordable tuition rates can be found on our tuition and fees website.*

    *Pricing does not include room and board, health insurance or any professional, clinical or transportation fees. Visit our tuition & fees page for a detailed breakdown.

Admission Information

  • To apply for this program, complete an application online. SAT and/or ACT scores are optional but you can submit them if you think they’ll strengthen your application.

    Learn more about admissions requirements and how to apply as a first-year student, transfer student or international student.

  • First-Year Students
    Applications for high school students are available beginning August 1 of your senior year. Early Decision, Early Action and Regular Decision options are available. For a full timeline of deadlines, visit our admission page.

    Transfer Students
    Applications to transfer to Saint Joseph’s are accepted on a rolling basis for fall and spring start terms.

  • 1. To be considered for admission, you must have graduated from an approved secondary school (or be on track to graduate), received a diploma from an accredited home school association or earned a GED.

    2. A high school transcript with an official school stamp or an official GED transcript is required. High school transcripts must include courses completed through your junior year as well as courses in progress during your senior year. If you’ve attended any post-secondary institutions, official transcripts for those institutions are required as well.

  • Transfer credit may be awarded for previous coursework. A course must meet the following requirements to be considered for transfer to Saint Joseph’s University:

    • Undergraduate courses with a grade of “C” or above
    • Graduate courses with a grade of “B” or above
    • Pass/Fail grades are not eligible for transfer credit
    • Must be from a regionally or programmatically accredited institution
    • The coursework must match the course offered at Saint Joseph's
    • Some programs have a time limit for specific courses
    • Earned credit may be submitted for review based on a timeline of less than or equal to 5 to 10 years between completion of course and enrollment at SJU

    *Visit the transfer page for a detailed breakdown of courses and institutions eligible for transfer.

  • If you are not a United States citizen, you must show proof of permanent resident visa status. Students educated in another country may be admitted if they:

    • Satisfy general admission requirements
    • Earn a minimum of 550 (paper-based), 213 (computer-based) or 79 (internet-based) on the Test of English as Foreign Language (TOEFL) administered by the Educational Testing Service of Princeton, New Jersey

    Students from English-speaking countries may choose to take the SAT or ACT as an option to the TOEFL exam. An evaluation of foreign transcripts by the World Education Service or other approved agency is required.

  • Saint Joseph’s is a military-friendly institution and offers assistance and services to veterans and their dependents who are utilizing educational benefits. Benefits include:

    • Chapter 30 Montgomery GI Bill®
    • Chapter 31 Vocational Rehabilitation
    • Chapter 33 Post 911 GI Bill®
    • Chapter 35 Survivors and Dependents Assistance
    • Chapter 1606 National Guard or Reserves
    • Chapter 1607 National Guard or Reserves (REAP) (*if eligible, must be utilized by November 25, 2019)
    • Pennsylvania National Guard Educational Assistance Program (EAP)
    • Federal Tuition Assistance (FTA)
Contact Us