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.
Texas Wesleyan does not offer the GEC in a fully online format at this time. Thus, these hours must be earned either on the Texas Wesleyan University campus or at another institution and transferred to Texas Wesleyan. It is anticipated that many students seeking this degree will enter Texas Wesleyan University as transfer students.
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)
choose 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 (0-6)
choose one of the following:
Comparative Studies (0-3)
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)
| REL 2321 | An Intro to Asian Religions | 3 Credits |
| REL 2322 | An Intro to Mediterranean Religions Religions | 3 Credits |
| REL 3363 | Religion in America | 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. If REL 4342 and REL 4344 are both taken, then an additional three hours of approved Advance Studies courses must still be earned.
Advanced Studies (12)
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.
Capstone Experience (3)
(Must have completed 9 upper level Religion hours to take course)
Electives (12-37)
Total Hours (124)