What can I do with a Major in Religious Studies

What Can I do With a Degree in...?

What can I do with a Major in Religious Studies?

Religious Studies is the study of the diverse religions and their impact on human culture. Specifically, studies may focus on Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism or other religious traditions. Programs focus on belief and practice of religion, comparative religion, religion and culture, philosophical aspects of religion, and traditional and contemporary themes within religion, such as love, death, art, violence, peace, gender, science, and ecology. Religious Studies attempts to analyze the role of religion in society, in culture and in the lives of individuals. Textual traditions, language, religious art, myths, rituals and religious ceremonies are focal points, as are religious figures throughout history. The main focus of Religious Studies is not to evaluate the truth value in religion, but rather to analyze why religion is meaningful to those who practice it.

With a Bachelor of Arts degree in Religious Studies, students are able to work directly with religious institutions, pursuing professional roles within the religious community; or they may choose to pursue other career options in business, education, research or social services. Students may enter careers in a variety of areas that call for the ability to communicate orally and through writing, capability to think critically and compassionately and the desire to serve their communities. With a degree in Religious Studies, students gain analytical skill and the ability to formulate and defend positions. Thus, they are ideal candidates for pursuing a career in business, administration or law. In addition, students gain perspective and cultural awareness which benefits them for careers in the field of business, research and the media.

Religious Studies students gain knowledge of faith, and human belief and tradition that teaches them to listen and understand with empathy, directly aiding them in careers in the Social Services Sector or careers in chaplaincy and the ministry. They also gain a sense of ethics that will not be compromised by immediate personal gain or prejudice, making them ideal to work in both these sectors. Further, Religious Studies students learn the history, demographics, philosophy, psychology and culture behind religion, which directly prepares them for research careers such as historian, sociologist, anthropologist, philosopher and archaeologist. Students are also able to pursue careers in Education. Humanities degrees such as Religious Studies are not primarily vocational training; therefore, they do not necessarily lead immediately to a career. Often, it is necessary to obtain additional advanced degrees or professional training. Because a degree in Religious Studies

What Can I do With a Degree in...?

integrates so many academic areas, it is an ideal backdrop for graduate programs in the humanities or professional schools. The Foreign Service will also be an opportunity for students with this degree. The types of employers that hire students with a degree in Religious Studies consist of; religious institutions, social services, management and business organizations, government, social services, colleges and universities, and the media.

Careers in Religious Studies

The occupations noted below may be directly or indirectly related to Religious Studies. Some of these careers may require additional education beyond a Bachelor's Degree.

Business Account Executive Acquisitions Editor

Administration Advertising Worker Aid Organization Administrator Camp Administration Citizenship Processing Support Officer Classifications Officer Customer Services Representative Denominational Executive Export Marketer Finance Broker Fundraiser Government Policy Analyst Government Researcher Human Resource Officer Human Rights Advisor Immigration Officer Insurance Broker International Relations Manager Investigation or Complaints Resolution Officer Lobbyist Management Trainee Manager (Building Manager, Operations Manager) National Advisor Negotiator Non-Profit Agency Worker Personnel Interviewer Political Party Worker Professional Development Consultant Project Manager Public Relations Officer

What Can I do With a Degree in...?

Publishing Real-Estate Consultant Recruitment Consultant Sales Representative

Union Organizer

Church and Community Clergy member

Community Projects Diocesan

Hospital ministry Liturgical/Musical Military ministry

Missionary Parish

Chaplaincy Campus ministry

Developer (Minister, Priest, Rabbi, etc.)

Coordinator Administrator

Director

Outreach Administration Religious Activities Programmer Religious Store Owner Seminary Administrator Tertiary Lecturer Youth Ministry

Research Anthropologist Archaeologist Conservationist Folklore Researcher Historical Researcher/Historian Phenomologist

Philosopher Rare Books Conservator

Sociologist Education

Guidance Counsellor Librarian

Religious Education Director Religious Life Programmer

Teacher University Lecturer Vocational Training

What Can I do With a Degree in...?

Graduate Studies Doctor

District Attorney Lawyer

Social Services Community Outreach Worker

Counsellor Day Care Worker Divorce Mediator Financial Aid Officer

Mediator Psychologist Refugee Worker Social Worker Student Services Advisor Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist Volunteer Coordinator

Media Editorial Assistant Freelance Writer

Journalism Media Producer Radio, Television, and Film Technical Writer Writer/Editor for religious publications

Law Enforcement FBI/CIA Agent Military Police Officer Probation Officer

Religious Studies Sites The Canadian Society for the Study of Religion / La Soci?t? Canadienne pour l'?tude de la

religion

Canadian Corporation for Studies in Religion sr.ca

What Can I do With a Degree in...? The Council of Societies for the Study of Religion

American Academy of Religion

Society for the Scientific Study of Religion

Religious Resources

Religious Studies Web Guide

Virtual Religion Index

Philosophy of Religion

Psychology of Religion

Association for Canadian Jewish Studies



Canadian Society of Church History Centre for the Study of Religion and American Culture



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