Overview

Religion is a pervasive, powerful, multifaceted and enduring dimension of human experience. Religions have shaped complex cultures and countless individual lives. Religions are influential in the world today and will continue to be so in the future.

The academic study of religion is multidisciplinary, drawing upon approaches from history, literary studies, philosophy and the social sciences. It is multicultural, exploring the beliefs, practices and development of particular religious communities in many different cultures. The Department of Religion provides a wide array of courses introducing students to the major religions of the world, with an emphasis upon the comparison of traditions and their encounter with one another. Instruction is offered in African and African American religions, Buddhism, Christianity, Confucianism, Hinduism, Judaism and Daoism.

The Bachelor of Arts in Religion, offered by the Department of Religion, is very flexible by design; it easily accommodates study abroad plans, internship opportunities, or a second major or minor in a related discipline. The Religion major provides graduates with the knowledge base and the intellectual, analytical, communication and interpersonal skills essential to succeed in any career. Consult your academic advisor to develop a plan of study that meets your professional goals.

Campus Location: Main

Program Code: LA-REL-BA

Career Preparation

Students who major in Religion develop a useful skill set that is in demand in a number of professions. Cultural sensitivity, analytical thinking, and excellent writing and verbal communications are the necessary training for careers related to public service, diplomacy, journalism, counseling, research, social work, health and human services, conflict resolution, and government. Some students go on to further study in doctoral programs, law school, medical school, or prepare for the ministry.

Employment prospects after graduation include the fields of journalism and communications, social work, ministry/chaplaincy, pre-law, pre-med/health services, government/FBI, non-profit organizations, hospice/end-of-life care, international enterprise, education, academic research, human resources, tourism and hospitality.

Distinction in Major

For graduation with Distinction in Major, an overall GPA of 3.25 is required along with a GPA of 3.5 in Religion courses.

Contact Information

Department Office
6th Floor Mazur Hall

Khalid Blankinship, Chair
khalid.blankinship@temple.edu

Belinda Wilson, Administrator
belinda.wilson@temple.edu

Learn more about the Bachelor of Arts in Religion.

These requirements are for students who matriculated in academic year 2024-2025. Students who matriculated prior to fall 2024 should refer to the Archives to view the requirements for their Bulletin year.

Summary of Degree Requirements

University Requirements

• MATH 0701 (4 s.h.) and/or ENG 0701 (4 s.h.), if required by placement testing.
• All Temple students must take a minimum of two writing-intensive courses as part of the major. All students take the Capstone, REL 4096, and one upper level elective in Religion that is designated as WI.
• Students must complete requirements of the General Education (GenEd) Program. See the General Education section of the Undergraduate Bulletin for more details.

College of Liberal Arts Requirements

• Completion of a minimum of 123 credits, including:
  • 90 credits in CLA/CST courses;
  • 45 credits of which must be at the upper level (numbered 2000-4999).
    • Distribution Requirement for Humanities majors: Six upper level credits must be earned in the Social Science, Science, and/or interdisciplinary subject areas. Select from the following CLA departments and programs: Africology & African American Studies, American Studies, Anthropology, Asian Studies, Criminal Justice, Cybersecurity and Human Behavior, Economics, Environmental Studies, Gender, Sexuality, and Women's Studies, Geography and Urban Studies, Global Studies, History, Jewish Studies, Latin American Studies, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Studies, Liberal Arts, Neuroscience (CLA), Political Science, Psychology, and Sociology, or any department in the College of Science and Technology.
  • A minimum GPA of 2.0, cumulatively, in all CLA/CST coursework, and in the major department.
  • Only courses in which a student receives a grade of at least C- can satisfy GenEd, major, minor, or CLA Foreign Language and Global Studies requirements.
  • Professional Development Requirement
    • All students in the College of Liberal Arts are required to take a 1 credit seminar in professional development. CLA 1002 Professional Development for Liberal Arts Majors is the appropriate course option for this major. Other courses that fulfill this requirement may be found on the CLA College Requirements page. Only one course in this category may count towards graduation.
  • Foreign Language/Global Studies Requirements
    • All students must complete or test out of the first and second levels of a foreign language - these courses are numbered 1001 and 1002;
    • All students must complete at least one course from the GenEd Global/World Society category; and
    • All Bachelor of Arts students must complete one of the following options:
      • Third semester of a foreign language;
      • Demonstrated proficiency beyond the third semester in a foreign language (placement exam or certification from the language department);
      • Take one Global Studies course from the list on the CLA College Requirements page;
      • Study Abroad at an approved program; or
      • Take a second General Education Global/World Society course.
    • Notes on Foreign Language Study
      • The third level of language is numbered 1003 in French, Spanish, and Portuguese and numbered 2001 in all other foreign language subjects.
      • Students are strongly encouraged to take the third level of a foreign language as it is the minimum required for election to the prestigious honor society Phi Beta Kappa. (Taking the course does not guarantee admission but not taking it guarantees exclusion.)
      • See the College of Liberal Arts Policies section of this Bulletin for more information on the Foreign Language Placement, Regression in Coursework, and guidelines for students' other experiences with language.

General Electives are typically one-third of a student's program of study and can be focused on a second major, a minor, or towards some other personal enrichment or professional goals. See an academic advisor for assistance in developing an academic plan for these courses.

Major Requirements: Eleven courses in Religion (33 credits)

¹

Restricted to Religion majors (and minors with permission of instructor). Students must have completed at least five courses in the major prior to taking the capstone.

Transfer students: No more than five religion courses taken at other institutions may be accepted for the major. The director of undergraduate studies must determine that these meet the standards of the Religion major.

Suggested Academic Plan

Bachelor of Arts in Religion

Suggested Plan for New Students Starting in the 2024-2025 Academic Year

¹

Typically offered only in the spring semester.