Bachelor of Arts Degree Program

Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Religious Studies

An interdisciplinary undergraduate degree program designed to provide students with an integrated understanding of human behavior, psychological development, religious belief, spirituality, culture, and systems of meaning. Combining the scientific study of psychology with the academic study of religion, the program develops the knowledge, analytical skills, research competencies, and ethical awareness necessary to understand individuals and communities within diverse social, cultural, and religious contexts.

Degree Awarded

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

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

Integrate Psychology and Religious Studies to Understand Human Experience

An interdisciplinary program combining the scientific study of psychology with the academic study of religion, spirituality, culture, and systems of meaning.

The Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Religious Studies is an interdisciplinary undergraduate degree program designed to provide students with an integrated understanding of human behavior, psychological development, religious belief, spirituality, culture, and systems of meaning. Combining the scientific study of psychology with the academic study of religion, the program develops the knowledge, analytical skills, research competencies, and ethical awareness necessary to understand individuals and communities within diverse social, cultural, and religious contexts.

Students explore psychological theories, human development, personality, cognition, social behavior, religious traditions, spirituality, religious experience, ethics, culture, and community life. The curriculum emphasizes critical thinking, interdisciplinary research, cultural responsiveness, effective communication, ethical reasoning, respect for diverse worldviews, and evidence-based approaches to understanding human behavior and religious experience.

The program prepares graduates for careers in behavioral health, community outreach, religious education, social services, mental health support, research, nonprofit program coordination, community development, academic advising, student services, interfaith programming, human services, wellness, and cultural programming. It also provides excellent preparation for graduate study in Psychology, Religious Studies, Counseling, Social Work, Human Services, Theology, and related disciplines.

Degree Awarded

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

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 psychology, religious studies, human development, ethics, research methods, and applied practice. Students also complete the University's General Education requirements together with approved elective coursework.

Course No. Course Title Credits
PRS 3000 Foundations of Psychology and Religious Studies 3
PRS 3010 Introduction to Psychology 3
PRS 3020 Introduction to Religious Studies 3
PRS 3030 Human Development and Religious Formation 3
PRS 3040 Psychology of Religion and Spirituality 3
PRS 3050 Social Psychology and Religious Communities 3
PRS 3060 World Religions and Cultural Traditions 3
PRS 3070 Personality, Identity, and Spiritual Development 3
PRS 3080 Cognitive Psychology and Religious Belief 3
PRS 3090 Religion, Culture, and Society 3
PRS 3100 Abnormal Psychology and Mental Well-Being 3
PRS 3110 Counseling Foundations and Helping Relationships 3
PRS 3120 Ethics, Psychology, and Religious Studies 3
PRS 3130 Psychology, Religion, and Diversity 3
PRS 3140 Religious Experience, Ritual, and Meaning 3
PRS 3150 Research Methods in Psychology and Religious Studies 4
PRS 3160 Religion, Psychology, and Social Change 3
PRS 3170 Trauma, Crisis, and Spiritual Care 3
PRS 3180 Applied Practicum in Psychology and Religious Studies 3
PRS 3190 Capstone Seminar in Psychology and Religious Studies 6
Total Credits 64
Curriculum Details

Course Descriptions

Select a course to view its description.

PRS 3000 – Foundations of Psychology and Religious Studies

Introduces the interdisciplinary study of psychology and religion, emphasizing human behavior, mental processes, belief, spirituality, culture, identity, and meaning-making.

PRS 3010 – Introduction to Psychology

Introduces major psychological concepts, theories, perspectives, and research methods used to understand human behavior and mental processes.

PRS 3020 – Introduction to Religious Studies

Introduces academic approaches to the study of religion, including beliefs, practices, institutions, sacred texts, religious experiences, and cultural traditions.

PRS 3030 – Human Development and Religious Formation

Examines human development across the lifespan and considers the influence of family, culture, community, values, and religious or spiritual formation.

PRS 3040 – Psychology of Religion and Spirituality

Explores psychological perspectives on religious belief, spirituality, religious experience, conversion, ritual, meaning, and personal identity.

PRS 3050 – Social Psychology and Religious Communities

Examines social influence, group behavior, identity, relationships, leadership, and community processes within religious and broader social environments.

PRS 3060 – World Religions and Cultural Traditions

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

PRS 3070 – Personality, Identity, and Spiritual Development

Explores theories of personality and examines relationships among identity, values, spirituality, religious belief, and personal development.

PRS 3080 – Cognitive Psychology and Religious Belief

Examines attention, perception, memory, reasoning, decision-making, and other cognitive processes as they relate to belief, worldview, and meaning.

PRS 3090 – Religion, Culture, and Society

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

PRS 3100 – Abnormal Psychology and Mental Well-Being

Examines psychological disorders, mental well-being, contributing factors, assessment perspectives, and contemporary approaches to psychological support.

PRS 3110 – Counseling Foundations and Helping Relationships

Introduces basic counseling concepts, helping relationships, communication skills, counseling theories, boundaries, and ethical considerations.

PRS 3120 – Ethics, Psychology, and Religious Studies

Examines ethical issues arising at the intersection of psychological practice, religious belief, spirituality, culture, and human services.

PRS 3130 – Psychology, Religion, and Diversity

Explores how culture, religion, identity, diversity, and social context influence psychological development, behavior, relationships, and well-being.

PRS 3140 – Religious Experience, Ritual, and Meaning

Examines religious experience, ritual, symbolism, narrative, and meaning-making through psychological, cultural, and religious-studies perspectives.

PRS 3150 – Research Methods in Psychology and Religious Studies

Introduces qualitative, quantitative, comparative, textual, and interdisciplinary research methods, including research design, data collection, analysis, and research ethics.

PRS 3160 – Religion, Psychology, and Social Change

Explores how psychological and religious perspectives contribute to community development, social change, resilience, social movements, and collective action.

PRS 3170 – Trauma, Crisis, and Spiritual Care

Examines psychological and spiritual responses to trauma, crisis, grief, loss, and adversity, with emphasis on resilience, supportive care, and ethical practice.

PRS 3180 – Applied Practicum in Psychology and Religious Studies

Provides supervised experiential learning in an appropriate educational, community, religious, nonprofit, social-service, or human-services setting.

PRS 3190 – Capstone Seminar in Psychology and Religious Studies

Serves as the culminating experience of the program. Students integrate psychological and religious-studies perspectives through comprehensive research or applied project demonstrating interdisciplinary competence.

Career Pathways

Career Opportunities

Graduates are prepared for careers in behavioral health, community outreach, religious education, social services, mental health support, research, nonprofit coordination, and human services.

Behavioral Health Support Specialist
Community Outreach Coordinator
Religious Education Coordinator
Social Services Coordinator
Mental Health Support Assistant
Research Assistant
Nonprofit Program Coordinator
Community Development Specialist
Academic Advisor
Student Services Coordinator
Interfaith Program Coordinator
Human Services Specialist
Wellness Program Coordinator
Cultural Program Coordinator
Program Development Specialist
Where Graduates Work

Employment Sectors

Graduates may find employment in mental health and wellness organizations, religious and faith-based organizations, schools and universities, hospitals and healthcare organizations, government agencies, nonprofit organizations, community development programs, social service agencies, interfaith organizations, cultural institutions, youth and family service organizations, research institutions, and educational organizations.

Mental Health and Wellness Organizations
Religious and Faith-Based Organizations
Schools and Universities
Hospitals and Healthcare Organizations
Government Agencies
Nonprofit Organizations
Community Development Programs
Social Service Agencies
Interfaith Organizations
Cultural Institutions
Youth and Family Service Organizations
Research Institutions
Educational Organizations

Ready to Explore Human Behavior and Religious Experience?

Develop the analytical, research, and ethical skills needed to understand individuals and communities within diverse social, cultural, and religious contexts. Take the next step toward a career in human services 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.