Bachelor of Arts Degree Program

Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies and Philosophy

An interdisciplinary undergraduate degree program designed to provide students with a strong foundation in religious traditions, philosophical inquiry, ethics, human existence, and systems of belief and meaning. The program develops the ability to examine complex intellectual questions through historical, philosophical, theological, cultural, and comparative perspectives.

Degree Awarded

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Religious Studies and Philosophy

Total Program Cost

US$ 7,360

Program Length

3–4 Years — Traditional Learning Track
1–2 Years — Fast-Track Learning Program

Traditional Learning

3–4 Years

Fast-Track Learning

1–2 Years

Course Credit

3 Credit Hours

Total Program Cost

US$ 7,360

Program Overview

Examine Religious Traditions and Philosophical Inquiry

An interdisciplinary program developing the ability to examine complex intellectual questions through historical, philosophical, theological, cultural, and comparative perspectives.

The Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies and Philosophy is an interdisciplinary undergraduate degree program designed to provide students with a strong foundation in religious traditions, philosophical inquiry, ethics, human existence, and systems of belief and meaning. The program develops the ability to examine complex intellectual questions through historical, philosophical, theological, cultural, and comparative perspectives.

Students explore world religions, sacred texts, philosophy, logic, ethics, metaphysics, epistemology, philosophy of religion, religious diversity, and contemporary social issues. The curriculum emphasizes critical thinking, analytical reasoning, intellectual inquiry, ethical reflection, respectful dialogue, intercultural competence, research, and effective written and oral communication.

The program prepares graduates for careers in research, religious education, academic advising, community outreach, nonprofit coordination, cultural programming, ethics and compliance, interfaith programming, public service, writing and editing, and community relations. It also provides excellent preparation for graduate study in Religious Studies, Philosophy, Theology, Ethics, Cultural Studies, Public Service, and related disciplines.

Degree Awarded

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Religious Studies and Philosophy

Program Length

3–4 Years — Traditional Learning Track
1–2 Years — Fast-Track Learning Program

Course Credit

3 Credit Hours per Course

Program Cost

US$ 7,360
Exclusive of applicable University administrative fees

Curriculum

Required Major Courses

The major consists of interdisciplinary coursework in religious studies, philosophy, ethics, sacred texts, comparative religion, research methods, and applied practice. Students also complete the University's General Education requirements together with approved elective coursework.

Course No. Course Title Credits
RSPH 3000 Foundations of Religious Studies and Philosophy 3
RSPH 3010 World Religions 3
RSPH 3020 History of Western Philosophy 3
RSPH 3030 Philosophy of Religion 3
RSPH 3040 Ethics and Moral Philosophy 3
RSPH 3050 Comparative Religion 3
RSPH 3060 Ancient and Medieval Philosophy 3
RSPH 3070 Modern and Contemporary Philosophy 3
RSPH 3080 Sacred Texts and Interpretation 3
RSPH 3090 Logic and Critical Thinking 3
RSPH 3100 Philosophy of Human Nature 3
RSPH 3110 Religion, Culture, and Society 3
RSPH 3120 Religion, Science, and Reason 3
RSPH 3130 Religious Diversity and Pluralism 3
RSPH 3140 Religion, Ethics, and Public Life 3
RSPH 3150 Research Methods in Religion and Philosophy 4
RSPH 3160 Religion, Politics, and Social Justice 3
RSPH 3170 Applied Ethics and Professional Responsibility 3
RSPH 3180 Research Practicum in Religion and Philosophy 3
RSPH 3190 Capstone Seminar in Religious Studies and Philosophy 6
Total Credits 64
Curriculum Details

Course Descriptions

Select a course to view its description.

RSPH 3000 – Foundations of Religious Studies and Philosophy

Introduces foundational questions, concepts, methods, and approaches in religious studies and philosophy, emphasizing reason, belief, meaning, ethics, and human experience.

RSPH 3010 – World Religions

Surveys major religious traditions and examines their beliefs, histories, sacred texts, practices, institutions, and cultural expressions.

RSPH 3020 – History of Western Philosophy

Examines major philosophers, schools of thought, and intellectual developments from ancient Greece through contemporary Western philosophy.

RSPH 3030 – Philosophy of Religion

Explores philosophical questions concerning God, faith, reason, revelation, religious experience, evil, religious language, and religious pluralism.

RSPH 3040 – Ethics and Moral Philosophy

Examines major ethical theories and approaches to morality, justice, virtue, responsibility, and contemporary ethical issues.

RSPH 3050 – Comparative Religion

Compares religious traditions across historical and cultural contexts, examining beliefs, practices, institutions, values, and approaches to meaning.

RSPH 3060 – Ancient and Medieval Philosophy

Studies major philosophical developments in ancient Greek, Roman, Jewish, Christian, and Islamic intellectual traditions through the medieval period.

RSPH 3070 – Modern and Contemporary Philosophy

Examines major philosophical developments from the modern period through contemporary thought, including questions of knowledge, existence, language, society, and identity.

RSPH 3080 – Sacred Texts and Interpretation

Introduces historical, literary, contextual, comparative, and philosophical approaches to the interpretation of sacred texts.

RSPH 3090 – Logic and Critical Thinking

Develops skills in logical reasoning, argument analysis, evidence evaluation, critical inquiry, and structured problem-solving.

RSPH 3100 – Philosophy of Human Nature

Examines philosophical perspectives on human identity, consciousness, freedom, personhood, responsibility, relationships, and the meaning of human existence.

RSPH 3110 – Religion, Culture, and Society

Analyzes relationships among religion, culture, social institutions, identity, community, and social change.

RSPH 3120 – Religion, Science, and Reason

Explores historical and contemporary relationships among religious belief, scientific inquiry, rationality, and explanations of reality.

RSPH 3130 – Religious Diversity and Pluralism

Examines religious diversity, pluralism, tolerance, secularism, interfaith engagement, and approaches to respectful coexistence.

RSPH 3140 – Religion, Ethics, and Public Life

Explores religious and philosophical perspectives on ethics, civic responsibility, public discourse, social responsibility, and contemporary issues.

RSPH 3150 – Research Methods in Religion and Philosophy

Introduces historical, textual, comparative, qualitative, and philosophical research methods, including scholarly writing and research ethics.

RSPH 3160 – Religion, Politics, and Social Justice

Examines relationships among religion, political institutions, social movements, human rights, justice, public policy, and social change.

RSPH 3170 – Applied Ethics and Professional Responsibility

Applies ethical reasoning to professional, organizational, social, civic, and community issues.

RSPH 3180 – Research Practicum in Religion and Philosophy

Provides supervised research experience in an appropriate academic, cultural, religious, nonprofit, or community setting.

RSPH 3190 – Capstone Seminar in Religious Studies and Philosophy

Serves as the culminating experience of the program. Students synthesize religious studies and philosophical perspectives through comprehensive research or applied project demonstrating analytical and professional competence.

Career Pathways

Career Opportunities

Graduates are prepared for careers in research, religious education, academic advising, community outreach, nonprofit coordination, cultural programming, ethics and compliance, interfaith programming, public service, writing, and community relations.

Religious Studies Research Assistant
Philosophy Research Assistant
Religious Education Coordinator
Academic Advisor
Community Outreach Coordinator
Nonprofit Program Coordinator
Cultural Program Coordinator
Ethics and Compliance Assistant
Interfaith Program Coordinator
Public Service Coordinator
Research Coordinator
Writer or Editor
Community Relations Specialist
Education Program Specialist
Cultural Affairs Coordinator
Where Graduates Work

Employment Sectors

Graduates may find employment in colleges and universities, schools and educational institutions, religious organizations, nonprofit organizations, government agencies, cultural institutions, museums and libraries, community development organizations, interfaith organizations, research institutions, publishing organizations, public service agencies, ethics and compliance departments, and international organizations.

Colleges and Universities
Schools and Educational Institutions
Religious Organizations
Nonprofit Organizations
Government Agencies
Cultural Institutions
Museums and Libraries
Community Development Organizations
Interfaith Organizations
Research Institutions
Publishing Organizations
Public Service Agencies
Ethics and Compliance Departments
International Organizations

Ready to Explore Religious Traditions and Philosophical Inquiry?

Develop the critical thinking, analytical reasoning, and ethical reflection skills needed to examine complex intellectual questions. Take the next step toward a career in research, education, public service, or graduate study.

Apply for This Program →
Cavalla International University of America is an academic institution registered in the State of Louisiana to conduct legal business and it is approved by the Board of Trustees and the Executive Leadership of the university to grant professional and academic degrees. The University adheres to the educational standards and requirements of the U.S. Department of Education and complies with the rules and regulations of the Louisiana State board of regents (department of education) regarding educational integrity and recruiting requirements for hiring qualified professors with the right academic qualification to teach.