Online Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies – Religion, Culture and Public Life
Are you interested in exploring how societies have attempted to answer life’s biggest questions throughout time and around the globe? Earning a Bachelor of Arts in religious studies with a concentration in religion, culture and public life can advance your understanding of how religions develop across cultures. In your coursework, you may explore areas of human life, such as conflict, peacebuilding, healthcare and politics.
Quick facts
Next start date: 01/10/2022
Total classes: 40
Weeks per class: 7.5
Total credit hours: 120
Degree questions, answered.
Have questions about the Religious Studies - Religion, Culture and Public Life (BA)? Fill out this form and we’ll get in touch!
What is the religious studies major?
In the bachelor’s degree in religious studies, you’ll explore the impact of religion on societies throughout the world, with an emphasis on how it influences everyday life and its portrayal in art and media. By exploring religious depictions in popular culture, literature, film and more, you’ll develop an understanding of how belief systems are perceived and shared.
The curriculum includes an emphasis on analyzing how different religions inform decision-making in aspects of human life, ranging from appearance to attitudes about mortality and sexuality. Through your coursework, you’ll explore how religious understanding shapes:
- Communication.
- Entertainment.
- Reasoning.
- Socialization.
- Work.
What kinds of skills will I develop with a bachelor’s degree in religious studies?
As a religious studies major, you’ll develop professional skills, such as analysis, writing, speaking, critical thinking and reasoning. Through your understanding of the impact of religion on societies, you’ll build a familiarity with diverse cultural practices, which are transferable in a variety of workplace settings and advanced degree studies. The topics covered in the curriculum can support careers in industries, such as:
- Counseling.
- Education.
- Government agencies.
- Human resources.
- Nonprofit organizations.
- Publishing.
How do I know if a religious studies degree is right for me?
The bachelor’s degree in religious studies may be a good fit if you’re interested in learning about how religion impacts society in cultures around the world. In pursuit of this degree, you’ll expand your knowledge about religious traditions and take a magnified look at practices concerning diet, rites marking life traditions and more. This religious studies degree is applicable whether you’re already working in a related field or you’re passionate about exploring world religions.
Does my religious studies degree say 'online'?
No, Arizona State University’s diplomas don’t specify whether you earn your degree online or in person. All diplomas and transcripts simply say “Arizona State University.” That’s because ASU Online students learn from the same faculty and receive the same course content as in-person students receive.
Featured religious studies degree courses
Courses in the religious studies major offer explorations of domestic and global religions in a cultural context. You can choose courses that focus on your areas of interest, ranging from Hinduism and the New Testament to the impact of race and gender on religion. Examples of courses in the degree program include, but are not limited to:
REL 101: Religion, Culture and Public Life (HU & G)
REL 307: Religion: Theory and Practice (L or HU)
REL 406: Religious Studies Capstone I
REL 407: Religious Studies Capstone II
What can I do with a bachelor’s degree in religious studies?
After obtaining a religious studies degree, you’ll be prepared to pursue graduate studies or follow a variety of career paths. Popular areas of graduate studies include religion, anthropology and political science. You can pursue a career in the public and private sectors in industries, such as journalism, public policy, education and more. Examples of potential careers include, but are not limited to:
Advocate
Counselor (General)
Lawyer
Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT)
News Reporter
Politician
Religion Professor
Religious Education Director
Religious Leader
Widely recognized scholars in the field
Religious studies faculty have received fellowships at the National Humanities Center and research grants from the ACLS, Luce Foundation, Templeton Religion Trust and National Endowment for the Humanities. From Royal Society and American Academy fellows to Marshall and Barry Goldwater Scholarship recipients, The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences is home to prestigious students and faculty members.
- Fulbright American Scholars.
- Guggenheim Fellows.
- MacArthur Fellows.
- Nobel laureates.
Widely recognized scholars in the field
Religious studies faculty have received fellowships at the National Humanities Center and research grants from the ACLS, Luce Foundation, Templeton Religion Trust and National Endowment for the Humanities. From Royal Society and American Academy fellows to Marshall and Barry Goldwater Scholarship recipients, The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences is home to prestigious students and faculty members.
- Fulbright American Scholars.
- Guggenheim Fellows.
- MacArthur Fellows.
- Nobel laureates.
Bachelor’s degree in religious studies admission requirements
freshman student
You are considered a freshman for application purposes if you have not attended college at all, or have fewer than 12 transferable credit hours (with a minimum 2.50 cumulative GPA).
Don't meet admission requirements?
You can still gain admission to ASU through Earned Admission. Through this pathway, you can demonstrate your ability to succeed at ASU by completing online courses with a 2.75 GPA or higher.
To begin, submit an application to ASU. An enrollment coach will reach out with more information if the Earned Admission Pathway is right for you.
Don't meet admission requirements?
You can still gain admission to ASU through Earned Admission. Through this pathway, you can demonstrate your ability to succeed at ASU by completing online courses with a 2.75 GPA or higher.
To begin, submit an application to ASU. An enrollment coach will reach out with more information if the Earned Admission Pathway is right for you.
The largest and most diverse college at ASU
The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences takes a transdisciplinary approach to education with a vast spectrum of degrees in the social sciences, natural sciences and humanities. We inspire students to be socially aware, critical thinkers and global citizens.
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