Bachelor of Arts (B.A) in Religion

Religion is a collection of ideas, practices, and systems that are organized and shared. It is most common for these ideas to refer to a belief and worship of an external controlling force, such as a god or supernatural entity.

About This Program

The B.A. program in religion is designed to accommodate students who want to concentrate in religion.

The program is designed to engage the student in an examination of the religious approaches to life (including their historical, cultural, social, and practical imports); to develop within the student an enlarged capacity for logical, reflective, and coherent reasoning; and to encourage the student to work out a conceptual framework for their life commitment.

Hands reaching upward to the sun in the vibrant yellow sky.

The Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Religion requires 120 semester hours to complete.


The program is preparatory for advanced training in other fields, such as law, education, international relations, statecraft, intellectual history, religious studies, and theology.


In addition to meeting the institutional undergraduate degree requirements, majors in the program are required to earn a minimum of thirty (30) semester hours of credit in philosophy and religion courses.

The Religion B.A. Major Requires: 

  • 21 hours in religion and, nine (9) hours in philosophy. ; and
  • Twelve (12) hours in a foreign language (French or Spanish).

No grade below “C” will be accepted in any major course

Total Credit Hours for Degree: 120 hrs

Academic Course Curriculum (coming soon)

Studying religion enhances cultural competency by providing insight into the diverse beliefs and practices of different communities, both locally and globally.
Studying religion enhances cultural competency by providing insight into the diverse beliefs and practices of different communities, both locally and globally.
What Is Religion?

Religion is a collection of ideas, practices, and systems that are organized and shared. It is most common for these ideas to refer to a belief and worship of an external controlling force, such as a god or supernatural entity.

A faith or belief system can usually be characterized by practices, sacred texts, sermons, rituals, prayer, meditation, prophecies, and revelations, as well as holy places, symbols, and feasts. In turn, these factors can significantly impact worldviews, morals, and cultural norms and beliefs.

Students will study the origins, functions, techniques, and experience of religion in a cross-cultural perspective.

 

The skills developed through studying religion, such as critical thinking, cultural competency, ethical reasoning, and communication, are valuable in a wide range of professions.
The skills developed through studying religion, such as critical thinking, cultural competency, ethical reasoning, and communication, are valuable in a wide range of professions.
Religion Careers

When people ask, “what can you do with a philosophy or religion degree?”, they are often surprised by the universe of career opportunities. In addition to the obvious carer of philosophy professor, philosophy majors excel in the fields of


• Law
• Business
• Technology
• Government
• Public Policy
• Teaching
• Health Care
• Social Work
• Ministry
• Non-Profits
• And many more

 

 

In addition to coursework and research focus, factors such as specialization within religious traditions, chosen career path, and institutional affiliations also influence religion majors' career trajectories and opportunities.
In addition to coursework and research focus, factors such as specialization within religious traditions, chosen career path, and institutional affiliations also influence religion majors' career trajectories and opportunities.
Religion Employment Expectations

While philosophy and religion majors have long faced negative stereotypes about employment opportunities, these are shattered by the facts:

  • The median wage for philosophy and religion majors is $60,000.
  • The employment rate for philosophy and religion majors is consistently high (for 2018–2019, there was a 95.7% employment rate).

Given the range of careers open to philosophy and religion majors, employment opportunities exist in all U.S. states and worldwide.

 

Studying religion provides insights into the beliefs, practices, and values of different cultures and societies, fostering cross-cultural understanding and empathy. It helps students appreciate the diversity of human experiences and perspectives, crucial for navigating an increasingly globalized world.
Studying religion provides insights into the beliefs, practices, and values of different cultures and societies, fostering cross-cultural understanding and empathy. It helps students appreciate the diversity of human experiences and perspectives, crucial for navigating an increasingly globalized world.

Religion Frequently Asked Questions (F.A.Qs)

Q: What can I do with a major in religion?
A: Almost anything. The skills developed in the major are broadly applicable to a range of careers, including serving as the foundation for graduate and professional programs.

Q: Do I have to be religious or believe in a specific religion to be a religion major?

A: No; while students are often drawn to the religion major because of their faith, religion as an academic subject does not require being religious or believing in a specific religion.

Q: What benefits does studying religion provide?

A: Many. These include intellectual skills such as critical thinking and logic, the development of open-mindedness, and an enhanced perspective. In addition to the value of these benefits in studying religion they are also traits employers seek.

Fall 2018 (and beyond) Requirements

The curriculum presents the requirements for students who first enrolled in Fall 2018 or later. In addition to the requirements specified below, these students must complete the civics literacy requirement. Students who enrolled prior to Fall 2018 are under the requirements in effect when they enrolled.

Fall 2018 (and beyond) Requirements

The curriculum presents the requirements for students who first enrolled in Fall 2018 or later. In addition to the requirements specified below, these students must complete the civics literacy requirement . Students who enrolled prior to Fall 2018 are under the requirements in effect when they enrolled.


 

FRESHMAN YEAR 29 hours

Course Number & Name

Credit Hours

ENC 1101, ENC 1102 Freshman Communication Skills I & II*

6

Mathematics Courses (see GENED course list)

6

Religion Courses

6

Social Science Elective (see GENED course list)

3

SPN 1120 and 1121 Elementary Spanish (with labs) or

 

FRE 1120 and 1121 Elementary French (with labs)**

8

 

SOPHOMORE YEAR 31 hours

Course Number & Name

Credit Hours

Natural Science Course (see GENED course list)

3

Natural Science Course (see GENED course list)

3

Religion Courses

6

FRE or SPN 2220 Intermediate French or Spanish (with lab)**

4

AMH 2091 African American History or AFA course

3

Humanities Electives

6

GENED Electives (see GENED course list)

3

Social Science Elective (see GENED course list)

3

 

JUNIOR YEAR 30 hours

Course Number & Name

Credit Hours

Free Electives

12

Religion Courses

9

Courses in Minor

9

 

SENIOR YEAR 30 hours

Course Number & Name

Credit Hours

Philosophy Courses

9

Courses in Minor

9

Electives

12

* ENC 1121, ENC 1122 Honors Freshman Composition I & II can be substituted for these classes.

** A student earning the Bachelor of Science degree replaces the language classes with elective classes.

 

 

Program Faculty

Name Email Phone
Dr. Michael LaBossiere michael.labossiere@famu.edu (850) 561-2839
Dr. Allezo N. Owens

allezo.owens@famu.edu

(850) 412-5560
Dr. Rafiqur Rahman

rafiqur.rahman@famu.edu

(850) 412-5558
Dr. Matthew C. Taylor

matthew.taylor@famu.edu

(850) 599-3831