Religious Studies Majors

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The Major
The Double Major
The Minor
Study Abroad
Graduate Studies
Helpful Documents

The Major – 120 s.h.

Leads to a BA in multidisciplinary studies with a concentration in religious studies. Total Hours Required: 120 s.h. (A minimum of 24 s.h. from sections 3 and 4 must be above 2999.)

  1. General Education Humanities Requirements: 40 s.h.
  2. Requires 12 s.h. of a foreign language through level 1004
  3. BA Major Requirements: 30 s.h. of Religion courses
    • 3 s.h. RELI 1000 or RELI 1690
    • 3 s.h. RELI 3500 (Take any time after you have completed RELI 1000 or RELI 1690)
    • 3 s.h. RELI 4500 (Normally taken during your last year)
    • 21 s.h. Religion courses with a minimum of 18 s.h. from “Core Religion Electives.”
  4. Minor or approved structured electives to complete 120 s.h.

The Double Major-120 s.h.

Students who double major often broaden their appeal in the job marketplace and to complement their primary major. Because of the flexibility of the religion program, it is easy to double major.

Leads to a BA in multidisciplinary studies with a concentration in religious studies.

Total Hours Required: 120 s.h. (A minimum of 24 s.h. from sections 3 and 4 must be above 2999.)

  1. General Education Humanities Requirements: 40 s.h. (It is permissible to double count courses as satisfying both the Gen Ed Humanities and the 2nd major requirements.)
  2. Requires 12 s.h. of a foreign language through level 1004, unless the “primary” major is a BS degree.
  3. BA Major Requirements: 30 s.h. of Religion courses
    • 3 s.h. RELI 1000 or RELI 1690
    • 3 s.h. RELI 3500 (Take any time after you have completed RELI 1000 or RELI 1690)
    • 3 s.h. RELI 4500 (Normally taken during your last year)
    • 21 s.h. additional Religious Studies courses with a minimum of 15 s.h. from “Core Religion Electives”
  4. Minor or approved structured electives to complete 120 s.h. If any courses qualify as core or elective courses for both majors, they can be double-counted.

The Minor – 18 s.h.

The minor requires 18 s.h. credit. A minimum of 12 s.h should be from “religion Electives.” Courses taken to meet General Education (GE) Humanities requirements may be used to satisfy the minor requirements. A maximum of 6 s.h. may be used to satisfy Gen Ed requirements and religious studies minor requirements. No course work in the student’s major can be applied toward the minor. Most of our students opt for a double major to broaden their educational experiences and acquire a more immediately marketable skill.

Minor Requirements:

  • RELI 1000: Introduction to Religious Studies or 1690 World Religions (3 s.h) and 15 s.h. from electives with (minimum of 12 s.h. from “Religion Electives”)

Study Abroad

Each year, ECU leads study abroad programs with substantial religious content. Our students have visited Egypt, Ghana, Greece, India, Italy, Japan, Kenya, and Mexico. During these educational journeys, students receive academic credit. With the approval from the director, a student may earn a maximum of 6 s.h. of credit toward the major or minor.

Graduate Studies

There are several master’s level programs through which your interest in religion can be addressed.

Master of Arts in International Studies. This innovative interdisciplinary program provides students the possibility for a concentration in religious studies as a major international issue. Contact MAIS director.

Theses: In recent years graduate students with an interest in religion have written master’s theses in the following departments: Anthropology, English, History, Psychology, Sociology.

Helpful Documents

If you decided that a Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies is your path, the following documents will help you begin the process and organize your course choices. First, complete the major declaration form and submit to the Director of Religious Studies. Second, consult the four-year check sheet plan to help in planning your courses for the four years you are at ECU. A major or minor may use check sheets as a guide to your degree requirements before graduation. All students must complete the General Education Humanities requirement Checksheet. You can access the catalog at ECU Undergraduate Catalog.

  1. Major Declaration Form (PDF)
  2. 4 Years Plan Check Sheet (PDF)
  3. RELI Requirement Check Sheet (PDF)
  4. General Education Humanities Requirements (40 s.h.)

For more information, please contact the Program Director.