B.A. in Religious Studies
University of Saint Joseph
Key Information
Campus location
West Hartford, USA
Languages
English
Study format
On-Campus
Duration
4 years
Pace
Full time
Tuition fees
USD 21,025 / per semester *
Application deadline
Request info
Earliest start date
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* full-time
Scholarships
Explore scholarship opportunities to help fund your studies
Introduction
Studying religion at a University rooted in the Mercy traditions of compassionate service, ethical values, and academic excellence
USJ’s Religious Studies program probes the ultimate questions of our existence: What is the meaning of life? What are our obligations to God and to each other?
As a Religious Studies major, you will explore these issues through the study of theology, comparative religions, spirituality, morality, and social justice.
Admissions
Curriculum
Advantages
USJ offers graduate studies in Theology and Religion, religious roles, and positions of service across all faiths. Students can minor in Justice and Peace Studies and choose a concentration in Theology, Religion, Religious Education, Ministry, Justice and
Peace, Christian Living, and Scripture. Students can also earn their Interfaith Leadership Studies Certificate. The program explores religious traditions of social justice, service to others, and global responsibility.
Degree requirements (33 credits)
Required courses (18 credits)
- RELS 210 - An Introduction to Christian Morality 3 Credits
- RELS 254 - Introduction to the Bible 3 Credits
- RELS 260 - Jesus Christ 3 Credits
- RELS 499 - Coordinating Seminar 3 Credits
Electives (15 credits) are strongly recommended
- RELS 385 - Internship 3-6 Credits
Concentrations
Theology
Electives for general interest or graduate study in Theology
- RELS 202 - Flannery O’Connor and the Sacramental Imagination 3 Credits
- RELS 266 - World Christianity 3 Credits
- RELS 295 - Exploratory Independent Study 3 Credits
- RELS 313 - Mysticism: East and West 3 Credits
- RELS 495 - Advanced Independent Study 3 Credits
Religion
Electives in the phenomenon of religion or comparative religion
- RELS 240 - Religions of the East 3 Credits
- RELS 241 - Religions of the West 3 Credits
- RELS 242 - Religion in America 3 Credits
- RELS 257 - Islam 3 Credits
- RELS 258 - Religion and Race in the United States 3 Credits
- RELS 260 - Jesus Christ 3 Credits
- RELS 262 - Buddhism in America 3 Credits
- RELS 266 - World Christianity 3 Credits
Required supporting coursework
- HIST 250 - The World of Asia 3 Credits
- Appropriate courses in International Studies, Philosophy, and from other schools in the Hartford Consortium for Higher Education
Religious Education
Electives in religious education in schools or churches
- RELS 202 - Flannery O’Connor and the Sacramental Imagination 3 Credits
- RELS 242 - Religion in America 3 Credits
- RELS 260 - Jesus Christ 3 Credits
- RELS 385 - Internship 3-6 Credits
- RELS 386 - Internship 3-6 Credits
Required supporting coursework
- EDUC 265 - The Elements of Teaching 3 Credits
- ENGL 203 - Oral Communication 3 Credits
- HDFS 250 - Ways of Studying the Developing Child 3 Credits
- HDFS 450 - Cross-Cultural Studies of Children and Families 3 Credits
- PSYC 220 - Child Development 3 Credits
- PSYC 238 - Human Development Through the Lifespan 3 Credits
Teaching licensure
Religious Studies majors seeking teaching licensure should speak to the teacher licensure officer about specific course selection requirements.
Ministry
Electives in ministry in the church or in society
- RELS 202 - Flannery O’Connor and the Sacramental Imagination 3 Credits
- RELS 209 - Christianity and Social Justice 3 Credits
- RELS 215 - Contemporary Spirituality 3 Credits
- RELS 260 - Jesus Christ 3 Credits
- RELS 307 - Death 3 Credits
Required supporting coursework
- ENGL 203 - Oral Communication 3 Credits
- PSYC 235 - Social Psychology 3 Credits
- PSYC 238 - Human Development Through the Lifespan 3 Credits
- PSYC 242 - Psychology of Adulthood and Aging 3 Credits
- PSYC 311 - Art Therapy: An Introduction 3 Credits
Justice and Peace
Electives in Justice and Peace studies
- RELS 205 - The Ecological Challenge 3 Credits
- RELS 208 - Christian Peacemaking 3 Credits
- RELS 209 - Christianity and Social Justice 3 Credits
- RELS 211 - Justice Seekers and Peacemakers 3 Credits
- RELS 258 - Religion and Race in the United States 3 Credits
- RELS 270 - Social Justice in the City of Hartford 3 Credits
Required supporting coursework
- SOCL 217 - Race and Ethnicity 3 Credits
- SOCL 227 - Inequality in America 3 Credits
Christian Living
Electives in Christian ethics and spirituality
- RELS 205 - The Ecological Challenge 3 Credits
- RELS 207 - Women in Christian Tradition 3 Credits
- RELS 208 - Christian Peacemaking 3 Credits
- RELS 209 - Christianity and Social Justice 3 Credits
- RELS 215 - Contemporary Spirituality 3 Credits
- RELS 250 - Prayer-Ways of the Psalms 3 Credits
- RELS 258 - Religion and Race in the United States 3 Credits
- RELS 266 - World Christianity 3 Credits
- RELS 270 - Social Justice in the City of Hartford 3 Credits
- RELS 301 - Moral Issues in Health Care: A Christ Perspective 3 Credits
- RELS 313 - Mysticism: East and West 3 Credits
Required supporting coursework
- PHIL 340 - Contemporary Ethical Problems 3 Credits
- POLS 110 - How Politics Affects Your Life: An Introduction to Politics 3 Credits
- POLS 125 - American Government 3 Credits
- POLS 249 - International Politics 3 Credits
- PSYC 238 - Human Development Through the Lifespan 3 Credits
- SOCL 101 - Introduction to Sociology 3 Credits
- Appropriate courses in International Studies
Scripture
Electives for graduate studies in Scripture
- ENGL 220 - Literary Criticism 3 Credits
- RELS 250 - Prayer-Ways of the Psalms 3 Credits
- RELS 254 - Introduction to the Bible 3 Credits
Program Outcome
The student will:
- Demonstrate knowledge of the Christian Bible or sacred texts of another religious tradition;
- Demonstrate ability to critically interpret faith-related documents, with particular attention to the Roman Catholic tradition;
- Demonstrate knowledge of a living faith tradition through elements of history, faith, belief, theology, rituals, and practices of prayer and worship;
- Demonstrate awareness and comprehension of diverse forms of religious thought and practices within and between religious traditions;
- Understand religious traditions of social justice, service to others, and global responsibility;
- Understand women’s spiritual development, faith journeys, leadership and contributions to religious thought and practice.
Career Opportunities
Students in the Religious Studies program receive a rigorous liberal arts education that encourages them to take a position regarding religion. With internships at churches, outreach programs, and volunteer organizations, recent placements include The Catholic Worker House, The CT Coalition for Affordable Housing, St. Elizabeth Seton Parish, and social justice trips in Nicaragua and Guatemala. Potential careers: pastors, ethics specialists, religion teachers, outreach/social workers, missionaries, campus ministers, chaplains, parish directors, theologians, and more.