Bachelor of Religious Studies at Brandeis University

Brandeis University

United States of America, Waltham

University Rank:#741

The Religious Studies at Brandeis University is a Full Time Bachelor program offered at the university's main campus in Waltham , United States of America. The program is delivered on campus in English and can be completed in 4 years. Students develop academic knowledge and practical skills that prepare them for future careers in this field. The next available intake starts on August 31, 2027.

About Bachelor of Religious Studies

Minor Requirements

Students may elect to fulfill the Religious Studies minor requirements that were listed in the Bulletin when they entered the University or may, with approval from the Undergraduate Advising Head, fulfill the minor requirements with the following requirements that went into effect for Fall 2018.

Students wishing to minor in Religious Studies must complete a total of five semester courses in Religious Studies from among the REL-designated courses and cross-listed offerings, as well as the following requirements:

A. At least one core course: REL 107a (Introduction to World Religions), ANTH 80a (Anthropology of Religion), or SOC 129a (Sociology of Religion). Ideally, the student should take the core course early in their career, but not necessarily as the first course in the program.

B. The remaining four courses must cover at least two different religious traditions. One course must focus on just one tradition, while a second may include up to two different religious traditions within the course content, other than the tradition of the first course. Additionally, the remaining four courses must be offered from at least two different departments or programs. A list of approved electives is below.

C. A senior essay (REL 97a or 97b) may replace one course with the approval of the Program Chair.

D. Students must obtain at least a C in each course. Pass/fail courses are not allowed.

E. The Undergraduate Advising Head may approve up to two courses transferred from study elsewhere.

The following courses focus on just one tradition:

Ancient Near Eastern Religion: NEJS 116a
Buddhism: FA 171b, REL 151a
Christianity: ENG 154b, FA 42b, FA 145a, HIST 123b, HIST 206b, NEJS 128a, NEJS 130a
Greek and Roman Religion: CLAS 170a
Hinduism: REL/SAS 152a
Islam: FA 33b, IMES 104a, NEJS 186a, NEJS 186b, NEJS 190b, NEJS 194b
Judaism: NEJS 5a, NEJS 111a, NEJS 112a, NEJS 114b, NEJS 115b, NEJS 124b, NEJS 127b, NEJS 153a, NEJS 155b, NEJS 159a, NEJS 162a, NEJS 164a, NEJS 164b, NEJS 166b, NEJS 191b

The following courses focus on two traditions:

Christianity and Judaism: AMST 50b, NEJS 148b
Confucianism and Daoism: REL 161a
Islam and Judaism: NEJS 144a

To declare a Religious Studies minor, please complete the Major/Minor Declaration Form and meet with Kristen Lucken, the Religious Studies Undergraduate Advising Head, who will sign and submit the form.

Transfer Credit Policy

No more than two courses from another institution may count toward the five courses required for the minor. The program's Undergraduate Advising Head (UAH) must approve each course transferred from another institution. Students are encouraged to seek approval, prior to taking a course, from the program's UAH for any course intended for transfer credit.

Disciplines

Religious Studies

Requirements and Admission Criteria for Bachelor of Religious Studies at Brandeis University

Entry Requirements

A completed Common Application.
$80 application fee (or fee waiver).
Official copies of all high school transcripts and/or GED certificate and/or marks from any externally graded national exams. (If the original documents are not in English, please submit both original documents and English translations.) This should include transcripts for courses taken for credit outside your high school. Transcripts must include official grades from all years of secondary school.
A school report and a letter of recommendation from a secondary school official.
High School Senior Grades: Send your senior midyear grades as soon as they become available. We understand this may not be until late January or early February for some students, though we encourage you to send them as soon as possible. For Early Decision applicants, submit first marking period grades, which may be first quarter or first trimester grades.
A letter of recommendation from a teacher who has instructed you in a core academic course (math, science, history, foreign language or English). (Homeschooled students and those applying for the Myra Kraft Transitional Year Program, see the tabs below for more details.)
Optional standardized test scores: Learn more about our test-optional policy.
A completed Early Decision Agreement Form (pdf). If you're applying for Early Decision I or Early Decision II.

Additional Materials and Information

English Proficiency: If you're an international student for whom English is not your native language, you should submit results of an English proficiency exam. You have the choice of submitting scores from one of the following exams. Scanned copies of the TOEFL, IELTS, or Cambridge Assessment exams are accepted; Duolingo (DET) scores must be submitted directly from the testing agency.
- TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)
- IELTS (International English Language Testing System)
- Duolingo English Test (DET)
- Cambridge Assessment English Qualifications (C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency)
- If you have spent four or more years attending a high school where the full academic curriculum is in English, you are exempt from this requirement, and may submit a request for a waiver in your DEISconnect portal after applying.
- If you're applying directly from a United World College (UWC) campus, you are also exempt from this requirement.
Financial documentation:
- If you are not applying for financial aid, you must submit:
  - The Certification of Finances for International Students through your DEISconnect portal.
  - Supporting financial documentation demonstrating the funds that the family will contribute to your education for the first year of study. Examples are statements of earnings from employers, certification of finances from banks or other financial institutions, or tax returns if available.
- If you are applying for financial aid, you must submit:
  - A completed CSS Profile.
  - Supporting financial documentation demonstrating the funds that the family can contribute to your education for the first year of study. Examples are statements of earnings from employers, certification of finances from banks or other financial institutions, or tax returns if available.
Additional recommendations:
- Visits: We encourage you to participate in a virtual visit and, if possible, schedule an interview with an admissions representative.
- Third-party interviews: Interviews through services like InitialView or Vericant are also encouraged. Deadlines are as follows:
  - Early Decision I : Record and submit by November 15.
  - Early Decision II / Regular Decision: Record and submit by January 15.

English Requirements

IELTSMin 7
TOEFLMin 100

Tuition and Fee Information for Bachelor of Religious Studies at Brandeis University

Application Fee 80

How to Apply for Bachelor of Religious Studies at Brandeis University

Your roadmap to a complete application.

Applying to Brandeis as a first-year student? Below, you'll find everything you need to include in your application.

In addition to the core first-year applicant materials list, be sure to check out the additional guides below for more info, advice and supplementary information! And remember, we're always here to help.

Bachelor of Religious Studies at Brandeis University

Brandeis University

United States of America, Waltham