Religious Studies (Religion, Culture and Public Life) ,BA
Ancient Cultures, Buddhism, Christianity, Diplomat, Gender, Global, Health, Hinduism, Identity, Islam, Popular Culture, Taoism, beliefs, cultures, judaism
Accelerated options for this program are not currently available to ASU Online students.
Look around, and you'll see religion everywhere. By studying a variety of materials, you'll gain an understanding of the role of religion in shaping the past, present and future of human societies and cultures --- an understanding that will aid you in any field you decide to pursue.
The Bachelor of Arts program in religious studies with a concentration in religion, culture and public life approaches religion as a mode of human culture, as constituted in intellect, language, emotion, practice, art and everyday life.
The program focuses on the role religions play in the formation of cultural identities, traditions, norms and memories, and it examines in particular the impact that religions have on culturally specified ways that people reason, communicate, socialize, work, entertain, dress, eat, live and die. Special consideration is given to the influence of religion on gender roles and sexual norms; the formation of images of the body and the moral assessment of medical practices; and the reflection and reproduction of religion in film, popular culture and conventional, digital and social media.
In addition to reviewing the guidelines in the Concurrent Program Options section below, students interested in pursuing concurrent or second baccalaureate degrees in The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences are advised to visit The College's website for more information and requirements.
- College/school:
The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
- Location: Tempe or Online , ASU Local
- Second language requirement: Yes
- STEM-OPT extension eligible: No
- First required math course: MAT 142 - College Mathematics
- Math
intensity: General
Acceptance to the graduate program requires a separate application. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master’s during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
General university admission requirements:
All students are required to meet general
university admission requirements.
First-year
| Transfer
| International
| Readmission
A current ASU student has no additional requirements for changing majors.
Students should visit the Change of Major form for information about how to change a major to this program.
ASU offers this program in an online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. Applicants may view the program’s ASU Online page for program descriptions and to request more information.
It is now possible to earn an ASU degree with ASU Local, an integrated college experience in which students take advantage of in-person success coaching and programming experiences on site while completing one of 130+ undergraduate online degree programs, all of which come with online faculty interaction and tutoring support.
ASU is committed to helping students thrive by offering tools that allow personalization of the transfer path to ASU. Students may use MyPath2ASU® to outline a list of recommended courses to take prior to transfer.
ASU has transfer partnerships in Arizona and across the country to create a simplified transfer experience for students. These pathway programs include exclusive benefits, tools and resources, and they help students save time and money in their college journey.
Program learning outcomes identify what a student will learn or be able to do upon completion of their program. This program has the following program outcomes:
- Formulate a thesis about a significant issue in religious studies relating to culture and public life.
- Address and analyze a scholarly issue in religious studies relating to culture and public life.
- Develop a sustained, evidence-based argument about a significant issue in religious studies relating to culture and public life.
Religion plays a major role in cultural and societal norms, identities and traditions all over the world. Through one of more than 300 distinct Global Education programs, students witness firsthand diverse religions and cultures, and gain a heightened understanding of the impact of religion on human culture. Students also enrich their cultural competence and improve their communication and critical thinking skills, which can enhance their resumes.
The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences recommends these study abroad programs for students majoring in religious studies with a concentration in religion, culture and public life.
Religious studies majors seek jobs in many professional areas, including:
- chaplaincy
- diversity management
- education
- foreign service
- health care, including mental health and counseling
- journalism
- law
- nonprofit and nongovernmental organizations
- public service and public policy
- publishing
Religious studies is an excellent foundation for graduate and professional studies in:
- anthropology
- gender studies
- health care
- history
- justice studies
- law
- philosophy
- political science
- sociology
- theology
The concentration addresses present-day interests and prepares students for jobs in a variety of professions. In addition to the fields listed above, students also pursue employment in media studies, migration and international studies.
Example job titles and salaries listed below are not necessarily entry level, and students should take into consideration how years of experience and geographical location may affect pay scales. Some jobs also may require advanced degrees, certifications or state-specific licensure.
| Career | *Growth | *Median salary |
|---|---|---|
|
8.6%
|
$38,520
|
|
|
7.5%
|
$135,740
|
|
|
14.9%
|
$56,570
|
|
|
18.4%
|
$49,710
|
|
|
-3.3%
|
$55,960
|
|
|
3.4%
|
$48,090
|
|
|
2.7%
|
$78,780
|
|
|
-0.2%
|
$49,380
|
|
|
0.6%
|
$55,550
|
|
|
5.3%
|
$50,820
|
Historical, Philosophical & Religious Studies, Sch
|
COOR 4591
SHPRSadvising@asu.edu
480-965-8364
3 year programs
These programs allow students to fast-track their studies after admission and earn a bachelor's degree in three years or fewer while participating in the same high-quality educational experience of a 4-year option. Students should talk to their academic advisor to get started.
Accelerated master's
These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).
Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Acceptance to the graduate program requires a separate application. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master’s during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
