Some people mistakenly think the only reason you’d want to major in Religious Studies (or just Religion, as it’s called at some schools) is to have a career as a priest, minister, or rabbi. We hope you aren’t one of those people. It’s true that Religious Studies is a very good major for students who want to go on to seminaries for further training as religious professionals. Religious Studies is also, however, an excellent way to prepare for other professions, not least because most departments offer a low student-faculty ratio and a breadth of curriculum that few majors can equal. Religion is central to all aspects of human life and it profoundly shapes the thought and values of its adherents. If you major in Religious Studies, you’ll study the diverse myths, rituals, original texts, and moral systems of the world’s many different religious traditions. Religious Studies, like other liberal arts majors, provides an extraordinary opportunity to think about the core beliefs of civilizations past and present. Regarding the more practical problem of finding work after college, a Religious Studies major will significantly improve your critical thinking and writing skills. And it makes for an interesting topic during job interviews. Trust us on this one. Employers will invariably find the major fascinating when they see it on your resume, and they’ll ask about it, and you’ll get to impress them with your knowledge and insight about the world.

Preparation

There is no special additional high school preparation required for the major in Religious Studies. Try to take courses in literature, foreign languages, history, and anything else that will challenge you to develop your critical reading and writing skills.