BA in Religious Studies

Religious studies major and minor

You’ll gain the religious literacy essential to comprehend and work in our increasingly globalized society. You’ll look at how people think about ultimate questions, whether or not you identify as religious.

Better understand humanity and yourself

Religion touches nearly every aspect of our world and society — literature, politics, current events, history, personal interactions, and more.

Contemplate the ultimate questions, think critically and creatively about world religions, and analyze religious texts from various perspectives. You’ll be challenged to become a more compassionate, empathetic, and self-aware global citizen.

Interdisciplinary approach

One of our most popular classes, Being Awesome at Life, examines the definition of a good life across cultures and throughout history. Science and Religion take a serious look at scientific and religious claims to find overlaps of agreement.

Other classes cover major world religions and how they relate to fields like ethics, archaeology, philosophy, and environmental studies. Adding one of our interdisciplinary minors, like leadership and diversity studies, helps you gain a better understanding of important topics in today’s world.

Your education won’t end in the classroom. Join one of our very active student-run religious life groups. Study abroad through our Global Opportunities program to get a firsthand look at the religions of the world in Europe, Asia, Africa or South America.

Broad-based skills

About a third of our students go on to seminary at schools like United Lutheran Seminary, Princeton Theological Seminary, and Yale Divinity School.

The rest acquire essential skills that translate into success in a variety of professions, including social work, non-governmental organizations, and writing. Our graduates know how to think critically across disciplines; write clearly and concisely; handle conflicts and disagreement with grace; and encourage productive dialogue.

Our students thrive, and you will too, as you are mentored by professors who are both experts in their fields and exceptional teachers. Coursework at Susquehanna is intense — you will enjoy personalized attention from your faculty as they help you learn and develop the skills you need to be a job and/or graduate school ready.

Many schools talk about study abroad but at Susquehanna, everyone does it. We are nationally recognized for our commitment to global experiences and cultural competence through our innovative Global Opportunities (GO) program.

Mission

We educate students for productive, creative, and reflective lives of achievement, leadership, and service in a diverse, dynamic and interdependent world.

Academics

You'll choose from more than 100 majors and minors, as well as pre-professional programs and an interdisciplinary honors program.

The School of the Arts, School of Humanities, School of Natural & Social Sciences and the AACSB accredited Sigmund Weis School of Business offer Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, and Bachelor of Music degrees.

You'll benefit from our exceptional faculty and small classes that facilitate participation. Our innovative curriculum encourages breadth and depth of study as you develop your skillset, and participation in our Global Opportunities program develops your cultural competence.

In essence, the world is open to you when you choose Susquehanna University.

Susquehanna is an accredited, not-for-profit institution which means that our programs are both certified and recognized for their excellence. Our accreditations include the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International), the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM), the American Chemical Society, and the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. We're also a member of the Annapolis Group, an organization of the nation’s top liberal arts colleges.