What Can I do With a Degree in...? What can I do with a Major in Religious Studies?

Religious Studies is the study of the diverse religions and their impact on human culture. Specifically, studies may focus on Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism or other religious traditions. Programs focus on belief and practice of religion, comparative religion, religion and culture, philosophical aspects of religion, and traditional and contemporary themes within religion, such as love, death, art, violence, peace, gender, science, and ecology. Religious Studies attempts to analyze the role of religion in society, in culture and in the lives of individuals. Textual traditions, language, religious art, myths, rituals and religious ceremonies are focal points, as are religious figures throughout history. The main focus of Religious Studies is not to evaluate the truth value in religion, but rather to analyze why religion is meaningful to those who practice it.

With a Bachelor of Arts degree in Religious Studies, students are able to work directly with religious institutions, pursuing professional roles within the religious community; or they may choose to pursue other career options in business, education, research or social services. Students may enter careers in a variety of areas that call for the ability to communicate orally and through writing, capability to think critically and compassionately and the desire to serve their communities. With a degree in Religious Studies, students gain analytical skill and the ability to formulate and defend positions. Thus, they are ideal candidates for pursuing a career in business, administration or law. In addition, students gain perspective and cultural awareness which benefits them for careers in the field of business, research and the media.

Religious Studies students gain knowledge of faith, and human belief and tradition that teaches them to listen and understand with empathy, directly aiding them in careers in the Social Services Sector or careers in chaplaincy and the ministry. They also gain a sense of ethics that will not be compromised by immediate personal gain or prejudice, making them ideal to work in both these sectors. Further, Religious Studies students learn the history, demographics, philosophy, psychology and culture behind religion, which directly prepares them for research careers such as historian, sociologist, anthropologist, philosopher and archaeologist. Students are also able to pursue careers in Education. Humanities degrees such as Religious Studies are not primarily vocational training; therefore, they do not necessarily lead immediately to a career. Often, it is necessary to obtain additional advanced degrees or professional training. Because a degree in Religious Studies

What Can I do With a Degree in...? integrates so many academic areas, it is an ideal backdrop for graduate programs in the humanities or professional schools. The Foreign Service will also be an opportunity for students with this degree. The types of employers that hire students with a degree in Religious Studies consist of; religious institutions, social services, management and business organizations, government, social services, colleges and universities, and the media.

Careers in Religious Studies

The occupations noted below may be directly or indirectly related to Religious Studies. Some of these careers may require additional education beyond a Bachelor’s Degree.

Business Account Executive Acquisitions Editor Administration Advertising Worker Aid Organization Administrator Camp Administration Citizenship Processing Support Officer Classifications Officer Customer Services Representative Denominational Executive Export Marketer Finance Broker Fundraiser Government Policy Analyst Government Researcher Human Resource Officer Human Rights Advisor Immigration Officer Insurance Broker International Relations Manager Investigation or Complaints Resolution Officer Lobbyist Management Trainee Manager (Building Manager, Operations Manager) National Advisor Negotiator Non-Profit Agency Worker Personnel Interviewer Political Party Worker Professional Development Consultant Project Manager Public Relations Officer

What Can I do With a Degree in...? Publishing Real-Estate Consultant Recruitment Consultant Sales Representative Union Organizer

Chaplaincy Campus ministry Church and Community Developer Clergy member (Minister, Priest, Rabbi, etc.) Community Projects Coordinator Diocesan Administrator Hospital ministry Liturgical/Musical Director Military ministry Missionary Outreach Parish Administration Religious Activities Programmer Religious Store Owner Seminary Administrator Tertiary Lecturer Youth Ministry

Research Anthropologist Archaeologist Conservationist Folklore Researcher Historical Researcher/Historian Phenomologist Philosopher Rare Books Conservator Sociologist Education Guidance Counsellor Librarian Religious Education Director Religious Life Programmer Teacher University Lecturer Vocational Training

What Can I do With a Degree in...?

Graduate Studies Doctor District Attorney Lawyer

Social Services Community Outreach Worker Counsellor Day Care Worker Divorce Mediator Financial Aid Officer Mediator Psychologist Refugee Worker Social Worker Student Services Advisor Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist Volunteer Coordinator

Media Editorial Assistant Freelance Writer

Journalism Media Producer Radio, Television, and Film Technical Writer Writer/Editor for religious publications

Law Enforcement FBI/CIA Agent Military Police Officer Probation Officer

Religious Studies Sites The Canadian Society for the Study of Religion / La Société Canadienne pour l’étude de la religion http://www.ccsr.ca/cssr/

Canadian Corporation for Studies in Religion www.ccsr.ca

What Can I do With a Degree in...? The Council of Societies for the Study of Religion www.cssr.org

American Academy of Religion http://www.aarweb.org/

Society for the Scientific Study of Religion http://www.sssrweb.org/

Religious Resources http://www.religiousresources.org/

Religious Studies Web Guide http://www.acs.ucalgary.ca/~lipton/

Virtual Religion Index http://virtualreligion.net/vri/

Philosophy of Religion http://www.philosophyofreligion.info/

Psychology of Religion http://www.psywww.com/psyrelig/

Association for Canadian Jewish Studies http://www.acjs-aejc.ca/

Canadian Society of Church History http://churchhistcan.wordpress.com/

Centre for the Study of Religion and American Culture http://www.iupui.edu/~raac/

What Can I do With a Degree in...?

International Association for the History of Religions http://www.iahr.dk/

European Association for the Study of Religion http://www.easr.de/

Society of Biblical Literature http://www.sbl-site.org/

List of Religious Studies Website Links http://www.ucalgary.ca/~lipton/assoc.html

Careers in Religious Studies

John Carroll University Careers in Religious Studies (link to careers) http://www.jcu.edu/religion/

Getting a Job in Religious Studies: Notes from the Field http://www.ccsr.ca/desjardins1.htm

Religious Studies and Careers http://www.libraries.iub.edu/index.php?pageId=2696

University of Alabama Department of Religious Studies Careers in Religious Studies http://www.as.ua.edu/rel/stdeskcareer.html (link to Jobs by Field)

Victoria University of Wellington Careers http://www.vuw.ac.nz/religion/about/careers.html

University of Kent Career Advisory Service http://www.kent.ac.uk/careers/Theology.htm

What can I do with a Major in Religious Studies? http://www.worldwidelearn.com/online-education-guide/arts-humanities/religious-studies- major.htm