Religious Studies (B.A.)
Explore Religion, Culture and Meaning Through UNF’s Religious Studies Program
Religious Studies at UNF helps you understand how diverse religious traditions shape people, communities and global events. In this program, you will explore big questions about meaning, identity and culture while building strong critical thinking and communication skills. Faculty guide you through real-world learning that encourages curiosity, empathy and civic engagement. Whether you want to pursue careers in education, law, public service or community leadership, Religious Studies gives you a deeper understanding of the world and your place in it.
Job Outlook
- Education and Cultural Engagement: Opportunities in teaching, museum curation and cultural interpretation, including roles in schools, universities, libraries and community education programs.
- Nonprofit and Community Leadership: Careers in social services, interfaith organizations and community outreach where cultural understanding and ethical insight support work in counseling, advocacy and program coordination.
- Law, Government and Public Policy: Pathways to law school, public service and international affairs, including roles in immigration services, civil rights work, diplomacy and policy analysis for government agencies and NGOs.
- Media, Communications and Public Scholarship: Positions in journalism, writing and digital media that focus on religion, culture and global issues, as well as communications roles that rely on strong research and analytical skills.
Religious Studies B.A. Graduates: Where Are They Now
John Campbell – Class of 2016
John Campbell is a UNF Religious Studies graduate who built a career in hospitality before launching his own event planning and design company. He applies his academic background by advising couples on religious fusion weddings and writing for The Knot on topics such as Islamic wedding traditions and cultural wedding attire. His work has been featured in The New York Times, HGTV, and Martha Stewart.
Program Information
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Term-by-term sample schedule
View the Religious Studies, B.A. Osprey Map which provides a term-by-term sample. The Osprey Map should be used in consultation with an academic advisor.
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Foundation and Core Requirements (9 credits)
Foundation (3 credits)
REL2300 (CD) Comparative Religion (3 Credits)
Core Requirements (6 credits)
Students must take 6 credits, earning a grade of C or higher
REL3102 CD- Religion as Culture (3 Credits)
Select 1 of the following:
REL3040 Theories of Religious Studies (3 Credits)
ANT4241 Anthropology of Religion (3 Credits)
REL4159 Sociology of Religion (3 Credits) -
Major Requirements and Capstone Experience (21 credits)
Major Requirements (18 credits)
Students must take 18 credits of upper level courses designated as REL, earning a grade of C or higher.
TAKE 6 REL COURSES 3000-4000 LEVEL
Capstone Experience (3 credits)
This course should bring together the theoretical and methodological skills developed in the major and apply them to a specific area of data that could vary by instructor and/or by student interest. It will be one context in which the assessment of the Religious Studies Major can take place. Students must obtain a grade of C or higher.
REL4910 Senior Seminar Capstone (3 Credits)
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Free Electives (10 credits)
Free Electives (10 credits)
This degree requires a minimum of 120 total hours with 48 upper (3000/4000) level hours. Free electives may be courses in any discipline (provided the required prerequisites are met) and they are the hours needed to satisfy the total requirement. These hours may vary (consult your advisor about free elective hours needed to graduate).
FREE ELECTIVES 7 HOURS(3000/4000)
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Minor Requirement
A minor is required for this major.* (Credits will vary)
The minor must be selected from the list of approved minors, including those outside the college of the major. See List of Minors in the Undergraduate Catalog.
Minors are generally completed during the last 60 credit hours of your program. Your minor may require prerequisites, so choosing a minor early is beneficial. See your Advisor to declare a minor.
*Double majors are exempt from a minor.
Minor in Religious Studies (15 credits)
A minor in Religious Studies is one of the best ways to learn more about the world around you! No matter what your major, a minor in Religious Studies is a perfect way to round out your education!
Minor in Jewish Studies (15 credits)
A minor in Jewish Studies in another great way to expand your education.
NOTE: REL 3102 (required for the minor) is only offered in the fall.
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Tuition
Tuition, fees, and textbooks make up most of the costs to students. Detailed information regarding tuition and all general fees can be found on the UNF Tuition website.
Why Study Religion?
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What will you do with it?
At the University of North Florida, a Religious Studies degree helps students move forward with clarity, purpose and adaptability. Whether you are exploring another course, considering a minor or major or thinking about a double major, Religious Studies offers a strong foundation for students who want to understand the world and their place in it.
This section is designed to help you explore Religious Studies as a field of study and guide you toward your next step.
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Explore the Field
This short video introduces the wide range of careers pursued by Religious Studies graduates, from public service and education to healthcare, law and business.
A second video explains the distinction between theology and Religious Studies. Religious Studies is an academic, analytical discipline. You do not need to be religious to study religion.
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Pathways After Graduation
Religious Studies majors at UNF pursue diverse professional and academic paths.
- 36% pursue graduate or professional school in areas such as International Affairs, Public Health, Urban Planning, Law and Religious Studies
- 18% work in education-related fields
- 10% work in religious organizations
- Others work in healthcare, nonprofit agencies, government, marketing, entrepreneurship and business
A Religious Studies degree prepares students to adapt and lead across sectors in a changing world.
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Skills That Move You Forward
In a national survey, more than 90% of Religious Studies graduates reported using these skills in their careers:
- Research and analytical writing
- Clear, persuasive communication
- Critical interpretation of data and ideas
- Problem solving from multiple perspectives
- Collaboration with diverse populations
- Ethical reasoning and civic engagement
- Community service and public impact
These are durable skills that employers consistently value.
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Who Studies Religion?
Religious Studies graduates include leaders across public life, athletics and the arts, including Mayim Bialik, Maggie Gyllenhall, Shane Battier and Rahm Emanuel.
Many policy experts and public servants also recommend Religious Studies for students interested in domestic and international policy because of its emphasis on ethics, culture and global understanding.
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Double Major Opportunities
Nationally, about 50% of Religious Studies students are double majors.
Religious Studies pairs well with every major. In many cases, students can complete two degrees in four years or less.
- Double majors within B.A. programs may receive up to 15 shared credits without overage fees
- Double majors across degree types may share up to 30 credits
- Students with a double major do not need a minor
- Some pathways allow courses to count toward both majors
Double majors also provide added security in a changing job market. Research shows graduates with two majors are significantly less likely to experience major earnings disruptions.
For advising support, consult your advisor or contact the department chair at s.mattice@unf.edu.
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Employment and Earnings Outlook
- Expected earnings for humanities graduates in Florida range from $36,000 to $64,000
- Unemployment for humanities graduates is approximately 3%, comparable to engineering and lower than many other fields
More information:
Recommended reading:
- Why ‘Worthless’ Humanities Degrees may set you up for life (BBC)
- New research shows how studying the humanities can benefit young people’s future careers and wider society (University of Oxford)
- Debunking perceptions about the value of humanities degrees (Inside Higher Ed)
- Why the humanities matter more than ever (Forbes)
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Take the Next Step
Talk with your professor or advisor about how Religious Studies can align with your goals.
You may also contact the program director Dr. James Dennis LoRusso at j.lorusso@unf.edu to learn more about declaring a major or minor.
Your direction is personal. Religious Studies helps you move forward with insight, perspective and purpose.
Contact Us
The College of Arts and Sciences Advising Office serves all sophomore, junior, senior and post-baccalaureate students pursuing majors in the college.
Contact the Religious Studies Program Faculty
