Religious Studies

The Religious Studies Program offers a general liberal arts education for students entering professions such as law, medicine, and business if electives are chosen carefully. The religious studies program places heavy emphasis on developing students’ abilities to think, read and write critically in their chosen religion courses.

The program strives to promote the learning of religious culture in the community as well as worldwide. This major is also useful to anyone seeking a professional career in religious journalism, teaching, or the ministry.

Related Career Skill Sets

Reading and analyzing a variety of texts and How to approach and understand cultures cultural situations radically different from their own Knowledge of a variety of human cultures Listen and understand the differences in and between people Critical thinking Strong communication skills

Elective Coursework Concentration to Enhance Skill Sets

Anthropology English Foreign Language History Philosophy Political Science Sociology Biology Literature

A Few Related Career Titles (for additional titles, see career advisor)

Journalist Social Worker Teacher/Professor Politician Lobbyist Director for a non-profit organization Marketing Manager Youth Minister

Experiential Learning: Ways to enhance your skills for the Job Market

The School of World Studies emphasizes experiential learning as an instruction tool. Experiencing the world is the most important step to truly understanding it. Students are highly encouraged to participate in study abroad programs to gather first-hand experience of different regions of the world. Specifically, the Office of International Education at VCU offers overseas programs in destinations across the globe.

Internships VCU Study Abroad

RamsRecruiting – VCU Career Center Office of International Education Highland Support Project Entering the Workforce? Here is some salary information:

According to the National Association of Colleges, the average starting salary for bachelor’s degree holders was about $29,000. Students who graduate with a major in Religious Studies go on to a wide variety of careers, ranging from academia, medicine, law, business, nonprofit work, and work in the private sector. This broad scope of career alternatives makes our graduates competitive in the job market. Salaries will vary depending on the specific career field. Resources such as the American Almanac of Jobs and Salaries at the Career Resource Library will provide more specific information about individual career options and salaries.

Thinking about attending graduate school as an option? Here are some tips:

Academic teaching and research careers are possible with a PhD in Religious Studies.

Career Resources:

School of World Studies Internships http://www.has.vcu.edu/wld/experiential- learning/internships.html

American Academy of Religion http://www.aarweb.org/profession/career.asp

American Association for Pastoral Counselors http://www.aapc.org/jobs.cfm

The Center for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships http://www.hhs.gov/fbci/

Christian Career Center http://www.christiancareercenter.com/

Christian Jobs http://wava.christianjobs.com/

Church Jobs.net http://www.churchjobs.net/jobs/listings/joblistings-VA1.html

Faith-Based Community Initiatives http://www.faithbasedcommunityinitiatives.org/

The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington http://shalomdc.org/career_alljob.html

Jewish Jobs: A Clearinghouse for Jewish Communal Jobs https://www.jewishjobs.com

Hillel: the Foundation of Jewish Campus Life http://www.hillel.org/index

Holistic Healing Jobs http://jobs.holistichealingjobs.com

Idealist http://www.idealist.org

Islamic Society of North America: Job Bank http://www.isna.net/Services/pages/Career-at-ISNA.aspx Ministry Jobs http://www.ministryjobs.com/

The National Association of Church Business Administration http://www.nacba.net/Pages/Home.aspx

Orthodox Union Job Board http://www.ou.org/jobs/index

Religious Jobs Network http://religiousjobsnetwork.com/

Richmond Faith-Based Service Providers Listing http://richmondgoodlife.com/volunteer/richmond_religious.htm

United World Mission http://www.uwm.org/goingwithus/global_opportunities.htm

Work Ministry http://www.workministry.com/

Career Information http://www.ou.edu/religiousstudies/Careers/Careerspage.htm