In a world that is increasingly pluralistic, ideologically driven and globally connected, skills in cross-cultural understanding and the interpretation of complex data are more important than ever.

The Global Religions and Cultures major empowers students to analyze diverse worldviews, traditions and value systems. Students of many different religious identities, or none, thrive in our courses. This major applies to a wide variety of career fields, including business, law, education, health, intelligence analysis, non-profit leadership and more.

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The major is part of the Department of Philosophy and Religion, an academic unit within the College of Arts and Letters.

The Global Religions and Cultures major requires 33 credit hours, including three core courses and one capstone seminar. Students majoring in Global Religions and Cultures have the opportunity to create their own custom concentrations, if they choose, by completing four or more courses in a focused area of study. For example, students might choose to concentrate in Christian Studies, Indian Religions, Religion in Africa, Religion and Society, Spirituality and Health, Pre-professional Studies, or another concentration they create with support from their faculty advisor.

Because the academic study of religion is interdisciplinary, students may apply up to six credit hours of course work from other departments toward the major if the courses include a substantial focus on religion, with approval from the faculty advisor. Our students often double major in Global Religions and Cultures as well as another field such as communication studies, health sciences, intelligence analysis or public policy. Students may add the major in Global Religions and Cultures at any time during their undergraduate career.

Philosophy and Religion
  • Degrees Offered: 
    • B.A. in Philosophy & Religion, Major in Global Religions & Cultures
  • Minors: 
    • Christian Studies
    • Ethics
    • Logic and Reasoning
    • Religious Studies

For detailed program information and curriculum, please visit:


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