Bachelor of Arts (BA) Degree with a Major in Religion

BA Degree with a Major in Religion

Upon completing the BA degree with a major in Religion, students will be able to:

1. Develop and apply critical toolkit to the study of religion and religious traditions including (inter)disciplinary methodologies and theories at a proficient level. 
   (Critical Skill Study of Religion: Theory, Method, and (Inter)Disciplinarity)
2. Understand and interpret religious traditions by examining religion(s) as historical, social, and cultural phenomena. When appropriate, attention is given to the impact of globalism, immigration, colonialism, and other forms of transnational and multi-cultural (non)religious exchange at a proficient level. 
   (Historical, Social, (Multi-)Cultural Dimensions of Religion)
3. Understand and interpret the subjective dimensions of religion(s) through analyses that explore the psychological, philosophical, and cognitive dynamics of religion and religious experience at a proficient level. 
   (Psychological, Philosophical, and Cognitive Dimensions of Religion)
4. Understand and interpret religious traditions by examining the plurality of religious voices and expressions, including currents that have been marginalized, neglected, repressed, and censored in a variety of sociological, psychological, philosophical, and political ways at a proficient level. 
   (Religious Plurality and Marginal Currents)
5. Develop the ability to read religious texts in their original languages and perform translations of texts when appropriate to the student's course of study at a proficient level. 
   (Foreign Language Skills)

BA Degree with a Major in Religion

For general university requirements, see Graduation Requirements. Students pursuing BA degree with a major in Religion must complete:

• A minimum of 50 courses (30 credit hours) to satisfy major requirements.
• A minimum of 520 credit hours to satisfy degree requirements.
• A minimum of 6 courses (58 credit hours) taken at 300-level or above.
• A maximum of 2 courses (6 credit hours) from study abroad or transfer credit. For additional departmental guidelines regarding transfer credit, see Policies tab. 

courses listed below satisfy this major. In certain instances, courses not on this official list may be substituted upon approval of major’s academic advisor, or where applicable, department's Director of Undergraduate Studies. (Course substitutions must be formally applied and entered into Degree Works by major's Official Certifier.) Students and their academic advisors should identify and clearly document courses to be taken.

Applicants whose first language is not English are required to demonstrate English proficiency in one of two ways:

1. Completing at least two years of full-time study in an English language curriculum prior to submitting an application.

2. Submitting one of the following official test scores.

• The Coalition Application or the Common Application and Rice writing supplement
• $75 nonrefundable application fee (must be paid online)
• Official high school transcript in English (or a certified English translation)
• Recommendation Letters
  • School Counselor
  • Teacher 5
  • Teacher 2
• Demonstration of English proficiency
• International Student Financial Statement
• Architecture portfolio (Architecture applicants only)