This degree is designed to meet the admission requirements of graduate programs in varying fields, including Religious Studies, and seminaries, by providing students with an introduction to a diverse array of religious traditions and methodologies for engaging in the comparative examination of these cultural institutions.
General Education Curriculum (45-46)
Refer to the General Education Curriculum (GEC) listed in this catalog.
MAT 1302 or MAT 1304 is acceptable for the GEC math requirement.
Some courses listed in program “Major Requirements” or “Required Related Courses” (noted with an asterisk [*]) may be used to meet requirements in the GEC. Although these courses fulfill requirements in each area, credit hours for these courses, if taken for the GEC, may only be counted in the GEC.
Complete Graduation Requirements are listed in this catalog.
Required Related Courses (9-27)
English (3)
History (0-3)
one of the following courses:
HIS 2301 | World History to 1648 | 3 Credits |
HIS 4322 | Foreign Policy of the US | 3 Credits |
HIS 4324 | History of Sub-Saharan Africa | 3 Credits |
HIS 4351 | International Relations | 3 Credits |
HIS 4355 | Hist & Pol Mid East | 3 Credits |
Humanities (3)
HUM 2340, HUM 2341*
Note: The specific course will be the one not taken to fulfill the GEC requirement
Philosophy (3-6)
REL 1313 | Ethics | 3 Credits |
PHI 1313 | Introduction to Ethics | 3 Credits |
| any 3 hours of philosophy courses, 2000 level or above* | 3 Credits |
Psychology (0-6)
PSY 1301 | General Psychology | 3 Credits |
| and any 3 hours of psychology courses 2000 level or above* | 3 Credits |
PSY 1301 and any 3 hours of psychology courses 2000 level or above*
Sociology (0-6)
SOC 1302 | Cultural Anthropology | 3 Credits |
| or | |
SOC 2301 | Intro to Sociology | 3 Credits |
| | |
| any additional 3 hours of Sociology courses | 3 Credits |
Major Requirements (33-39)
Introductory Courses (3-9)
Introduction to the Bible (3-6)
choose one of the following:
REL 1311, REL 1312*
Note: For Christian Studies Emphasis students, either REL 1311 or REL 1312 should be taken as a part of Core Curriculum requirements. Between REL 1311 and REL 1312, the course not taken as a part of the Core Curriculum should be used to satisfy this requirement.
Comparative Studies (3)
choose one of the following:
REL 1321 | Introductory Studies in World Religion | 3 Credits |
REL 1322 | Ways of Being Religious | 3 Credits |
Foundation and Perspective Courses (15)
Christian Studies Emphasis:
choose one of the following:
REL 2321 | An Intro to Asian Religions | 3 Credits |
| or | |
REL 2322 | An Intro to Mediterranean Religions Religions | 3 Credits |
| | |
REL 3324 | Intro to the Christian Faith | 3 Credits |
REL 3361 | Jesus' Life & Teachings | 3 Credits |
any additional 6 hours from the list of courses below:
REL 2321 | An Intro to Asian Religions | 3 Credits |
REL 2322 | An Intro to Mediterranean Religions Religions | 3 Credits |
REL 3321 | The Hindu Religious Traditions | 3 Credits |
REL 3322 | The Buddha and His Teachings | 3 Credits |
REL 3323 | Islam | 3 Credits |
REL 3325 | Classical Judaism | 3 Credits |
REL 3362 | Religious Problems and Solutions | 3 Credits |
REL 3363 | Religion in America | 3 Credits |
Comparative Studies Emphasis:
REL 2321 | An Intro to Asian Religions | 3 Credits |
REL 2322 | An Intro to Mediterranean Religions Religions | 3 Credits |
REL 3362 | Religious Problems and Solutions | 3 Credits |
any additional 6 hours from the list of courses below:
Note: The prerequisite for all courses under the heading of Foundational and Perspective Courses is at least one of the following courses: REL 1311, REL 1312, REL 1321 or REL 1322, or by special permission from the instructor.
Advanced Studies (12)
Christian Studies Emphasis:
any additional 6 hours from the list of courses below:
Comparative Studies Emphasis:
choose one of the following:
REL 4342 | Studies in Comparative Religion | 3 Credits |
REL 4344 | Global Religion & Film | 3 Credits |
any additional 6 hours from the list of courses below:
REL 3399 | Special Topics | 3 Credits |
REL 4342 | Studies in Comparative Religion | 3 Credits |
REL 4344 | Global Religion & Film | 3 Credits |
REL 4345 | Religion & Pop Culture | 3 Credits |
REL 4346 | Contemporary Theological Issues | 3 Credits |
REL 4360 | The History of Christianity | 3 Credits |
REL 4399 | Special Topics | 3 Credits |
Note: The prerequisite for all courses under the heading of Advanced Studies is at least one course from the list of Foundational and Perspective Courses, or by special permission of the instructor. If REL 4342 and 4344 are both taken, then an additional three hours of approved Advance Studies courses must still be earned.
Capstone Experience (3)
(Must have completed 9 upper level Religion hours to take course)
Electives (12-37)
Total Hours (124)