Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies and Philosophy
September 28, 2026 2026-09-28 2:59Bachelor 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.
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Religious Studies and Philosophy
US$ 7,360
3–4 Years — Traditional Learning Track
1–2 Years — Fast-Track Learning Program
3–4 Years
1–2 Years
3 Credit Hours
US$ 7,360
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.
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Religious Studies and Philosophy
3–4 Years — Traditional Learning Track
1–2 Years — Fast-Track Learning Program
3 Credit Hours per Course
US$ 7,360
Exclusive of applicable University administrative fees
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 | |
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 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.
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.
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.
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