Explore Your Interest In Christianity And Discover Other Great Religious Traditions Of The World.
While Shenandoah’s Bachelor of Arts in Religion prepares you for seminary and life as ordained clergy in a Christian faith community, its commitment to critical thinking, independent learning, research and communication skills also prepares you for a wide range of professions where such skills are valued.
You’ll gain a comprehensive understanding of the religious traditions of the world with a particular emphasis on the Christian tradition. You’ll learn to think clearly and critically about religious ideas; and, through the comparative study of philosophy, sacred texts, religious history, spirituality, theology and ethics, you’ll learn to think across disciplines and cultures.
The major provides a rich encounter with the liberal arts. Along with the Faith Seeking Justice Christian Leadership Program Leadership Certificate Program, the Religion major prepares you for seminary and leadership in the 21st century church.
Students visit nearby monasteries, retreat centers and places of worship in a variety of religions traditions in the company of experienced faculty and Spiritual Life staff.
Learn More About This Program
Our program will prepare you to provide effective leadership in faith communities that are wrestling with a broad range of doctrinal, moral and organizational issues. You’ll also be able to interpret the world’s religious traditions and their significance in a multi-cultural and increasingly secular context, as well as contribute to the debates about the role of religion in a modern, democratic society.
You’ll practice and test your faith in a wide variety of service opportunities available through the university and in the community.
Our program is unique with respect to its commitment to serving the Christian community and specifically the United Methodist Church through the academic study of religion. Shenandoah also enjoys a cooperative relationship between its Department of Religion and the Office of Spiritual Life.
You’ll learn:
- Basic biblical and theological knowledge relevant to an understanding and analysis of the Christian faith tradition
- Introductory knowledge of the great religious traditions of the world and more in-depth knowledge of at least one non-Christian tradition
- How to read and think critically about religious faith in a context where faith is respected
- How to communicate effectively, especially in writing
Shenandoah University's College of Arts & Sciences is your direct connection to a classic, broad-based education to satisfy both your intellectual curiosity and career goals. With a 10:1 student-faculty ratio, small classes and individualized learning opportunities, we put students at the center of all our decisions and events.
We blend the liberal arts with pre-professional courses and hands-on learning to prepare you for careers in the natural sciences, the social sciences and the humanities. You’ll learn through small, engaging classes and relationships with faculty mentors; hone your skills to solve problems; and learn to use creativity and critical thinking to make informed decisions.
Minor in This Program
The Religion minor provides you with an understanding of the religious traditions of the world with a particular emphasis on the Christian tradition. Through the comparative study of philosophy, sacred texts, religious history, spirituality, theology and ethics, you will learn to think across disciplines and cultures.
Your minor may have a concentration in the following subjects:
- World Religion
- Ethics
- Christian Studies
- Christian Leadership
You will have the opportunity to study with a diverse core of deeply qualified and broadly experienced faculty with specialized expertise in spirituality and ethics.
You will read and write about the Christian religious tradition and have your own religious perspectives challenged and broadened.
Our program is unique with respect to its commitment to serving the Christian community and specifically the United Methodist Church through the academic study of religion. Shenandoah also enjoys a cooperative relationship between its Department of Religion and the Office of Spiritual Life.
Declaring A Minor
Shenandoah students work with their Academic Advisor to declare a minor. Academic Advisors will continue to work with students to ensure that they fulfill all of the requirements to complete the minor.
Incoming students should not indicate their intended minor on their Shenandoah application. Applications are for intended majors only.
Internship Possibilities
The Career Services office helps place Shenandoah students in internships related to their major and career goals. Internships differentiate you as an applicant in your future job searches, gives you hands on experience in your field, allows you to sample different career paths for your major, and helps your find a specific position that fits your passion before graduation.
Career and Salary Possibilities
Career and Salary Examples for Religion Majors:
- Youth Minister: $39,670
- Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Non-Profit Organization: $36,330
- Worship Pastor: $32,310
- Program Manager, Non-Profit Organization: $48,500
- Senior Pastor: $80,988
The Career Services Office provides a comprehensive range of services and resources to assist Shenandoah students in their career search. Services offered include resume and cover letter building, mock interviews, and professional dining etiquette workshops.
Classes
Every major will be required to complete a capstone project in a 300 or 400 level course taken during the last 9 hours of the student’s program. That project will require students to apply ideas critically and comparatively from various perspectives and or traditions (possibly non-Christians ones) to a theme, topic, or problem related to the subject matter of that course. For students doing the capstone project in Religion 421, the project may involve a practical problem or issue related to the context in which students fulfill requirements for Religion 421: Practicum.
You’ll read and write extensively about the Christian religious tradition, have your own religious perspectives challenged and broadened, and combine your academic study with field experience in the ministry of the Office of Spiritual Life and in other faith-based ministries.
36 credit hours of which 18 must be at the 300 level or above
Required Class (3 credit hours)
- Religion 202: World Religion
Take one of the following classes (3 Credit hours)
- Philosophy 101: Intro to Philosophy
- Philosophy 120: History of Western Philosophy
Take at least one of the following classes (3 or 6 credit hours)
- Religion 210: Hebrew Bible
- Religion 211: New Testament
Take at least one of the following classes (3 or 6 credit hours)
- Religion 225: Christian Social Ethics
- Religion 251: Christian Spirituality
100-200 level electives
- Religion 101: Introduction to Religion
- Religion 111: Christian Discipleship
- Religion 220: A Survey of Western Christianity
Take at least one of the following classes (3, 6, or 9 credit hours)
- Religion 310: Judaism
- Religion 311: Asian Religion and Philosophy
- Religion 312: Islam
300-400 level electives
- Religion 301: Christian Theology
- Religion 320: Christian Education
- Religion 321:Church Leadership
- Religion 330: History of Christianity in the United States
- Religion 320: Christian Education
- Religion 331: Christianity in the African-American Experience
- Philosophy 331: Philosophy of Non-violence
- Religion 340: Religion and Ecology
- Religion 341: Gender and Religion
- Religion 450: Corporate Worship
- Religion 391: Topics
- Religion 401: Seminar
- Religion 421: Practicum
- Religion 451: Topics
One of the following may count toward 300-400 elective requirements.
- HIST 445 Renaissance and Reformation
- PSCI 301 History of Western Political Philosophy 1
- PSCI 302 History of Western Political Philosophy 2
Learning support services are available to all students in every course at Shenandoah. Free peer tutoring with a student who has previously succeeded in the course is available for any course across the university. The Writing Center is available for every stage of the writing process from thesis development to proofreading and bibliography assistance. The Math Enrichment Center is available for math and science assistance. Professors and Academic Advisors across the university also have office hours and open door policies to ensure Shenandoah students succeed academically.
Faculty
You’ll have the opportunity to study with a diverse core of deeply qualified and broadly experienced faculty with specialized expertise in spirituality and ethics.
Imagine participating in interesting conversations led by engaging professors who’ve already done what you dream of doing. You’ll be in a small class — the average class size is approximately 12 students — with professors who know your name, care about your success and provide advice as you pursue your academic and career goals.
Related Programs
Students interested in this program should also look into these other majors, graduate degrees, minors, and certificates.
All majors within the College of Arts & Sciences require students to complete a minor in the program of their choice at Shenandoah.
These minors complement this program well:
You may want to think about enhancing your degree with these certificates that pair well with this program:
Application Information
Shenandoah University works on rolling admissions and accepts applications throughout the year. Applications are reviewed individually and holistically.
Submit your application, review required admission materials, and find our admissions standards.
Study Abroad
Make studying abroad the highlight of your college experience! Whether you go for a year, a semester, or just a few weeks. You will never forget learning in another culture! The Center for International Programs is here to help you plan your study abroad experience. Start your planning early to ensure the courses you complete abroad count toward your degree and you graduate on time.
Global Experiential Learning (GEL) Program
The Global Experiential Learning (GEL) Program offers Shenandoah students a short-term, faculty-led, study-abroad experience for academic credit. These short-term, credit-bearing, faculty-led programs are offered winter break, spring break, and during the summer. If a course is not within your major, it might be used as an elective.
Study Abroad
Shenandoah University is a member of the International Student Exchange Program (ISEP), a global network of 300 universities. This partnership allows students to study for a full semester or year at other member campuses abroad. By working closely with their academic advisors and the study abroad advisor, students can take classes taught in English abroad while receiving Shenandoah credit.
Shenandoah University also maintains direct partnerships with several universities around the world. These relationships allow students from SU to study abroad as exchange students and students from these universities to study at SU. All partner universities offer courses taught in English.
Religion Abroad Course Catalog