The twelve-credit Religious Diversity and Leadership in the Professions certificate program will prepare students with the knowledge, skills and practical experience to navigate religious diversity, promoting cooperation in their professional lives.
Whether working in private business, the public sector, health professions, media professions or performing arts, the ability to navigate religious diversity has become important to cooperating with colleagues, serving clients and developing relevant products. Bridging the academic study of religion and pre-professional education, this certificate program promotes students’ professional preparedness by giving students the resources to understand, problem-solve and communicate about conflicts that may arise from religious diversity as well as the opportunity to practically apply what they learn within their area of professional interest.
The civically engaged courses in the certificate program will prepare students to build community partnerships with attention to religious diversity that can address community needs and promote civic collaboration.
Career and Salary Possibilities
Career and Salary Examples for Religion Majors:
- Youth Minister: $39,670
- Worship Pastor: $32,310
- 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
Courses Required for the Certificate
| Course | Credit Hours |
| REL 202 Navigating Religious Diversity | 3 |
| REL 203 Religious Diversity and Civic Cooperation | 3 |
| Choose three credits relevant to the student’s professional area of study: | |
| BA 453 Human Resource Management and Business Ethics | 3 |
| CJ 323 Corrections | 3 |
| EDU 310 The Teaching Profession | 3 |
| EHP 101 HP Seminar I: Investigating the Health Professions | 1 |
| EHP 201 HP Seminar II: Navigating the Health Professions | 1 |
| EHP 301 HP Seminar III: Experiencing the Health Professions | 1 |
| MCOM 211 Media Ethics | 3 |
| PH 202 Global Health | 3 |
| PHIL 130 Introduction to Medical Ethics | 3 |
| Choose three credits relevant to the student’s professional area of study: | |
| BA 498 Business Internship* | 3 |
| CJ 401 Internship in Criminal Justice* | 3 |
| EDU 441 Student Teaching in the Middle and Secondary Schools* | 3 |
| EDU 461 Student Teaching in Elementary and Middle and Schools* | 3 |
| EXSC 430 Experiential Learning in Exercise Science* | 3 |
| FILM 349 Religion and Film | 3 |
| HP 317 Spirituality in Patient Care | 3 |
| MCOM 498 Field Internship* | 3 |
| PH 490 Internship in Public Health* | 3 |
| REL 497 Interreligious Internship* | 3 |
| TOTAL 12 | |
* Require completion of a reflective assignment on the application of interreligious leadership in the internship setting
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.
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.
