Skip to main content

Study Religious Studies

Students in Religious Studies combine a thorough grounding in the history and theory of religion with a senior experience, in which students follow their own lights to explore topics of special interest to them.

Program Snapshot

Undergraduate Bachelor of Arts

Major

124

4 Years

Salem Campus

A group of people conversing at a table with notebooks and a tablet.

Our Religious Studies Major & Minor

Eighty-four percent of the world's population is religious. In Religious Studies we ask why, and explore the difference religion makes in peoples' lives across various cultures, both ancient and modern.

Why choose Religious Studies at Willamette?

  • Opportunities outside of class. Join a student club to discuss your interest in religion with your peers. Study abroad and visit historical sites to expand your knowledge.
  • Career support. It can be challenging to transition into a career after college. Our Career Services Center can help prepare you for a career in diplomacy, human services, education, or commerce.
  • Gain hands-on experience. Dive into research projects, write a thesis, or pursue an internship. We focus on engaging students in high-level learning to hone research and writing skills that will transfer to any career.

Schedule a Visit

Alumni Stories

Our program requires students to think critically and gain insights into human culture. Our alumni have used these skills to pursue graduate degrees and a variety of career options. Learn how alumni are making an impact in their communities.

  • Akerah Mackey ’19

    Willamette grad advances Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I) initiatives
    Akerah Mackey ’19, a DE&I practitioner with degrees from Willamette University and the University of Chicago, has advanced equity efforts internationally and in the U.S. She now serves as the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Training Manager at The Salvation Army.

    A smiling woman with black hair in a black blazer and gray top.
  • Patrick Kelley headshot

    Patrick Kelley ’05

    Expert in higher education enrollment management and inclusive leadership
    Patrick Kelley ’05, with a B.A. in Religious Studies and an MBA from Willamette University, excels in higher education enrollment management. He is known for his inclusive leadership, data-driven strategies, and effective marketing to enhance brand awareness.

Featured Religious Studies Faculty

We have a small, but accomplished faculty in Religious Studies. Our Religious Studies program offers small class sizes, collaborative research opportunities, and options for mentoring.

Curriculum

Our program offers a robust curriculum in comparative studies. Learn how to formulate questions and analyze beliefs, cultural contexts, and histories in religion. Students will think critically about religion, and recognize the pervasive influences of religion throughout history.

  • REL 323 The Bible and American Culture

    Discover the impact of the Bible on American culture, exploring its influence on literacy, politics, and social movements. Delve into its role in shaping the American ethos, from manifest destiny to modern debates on slavery, women's rights, and LGBTQ rights.

  • REL 322 In Search of the Historical Jesus 

    Uncover the reality of Jesus by learning to critically read the gospels and understand the traditions and oral cultures behind them. Explore the ancient world Jesus lived in and discover how people of that time might have viewed him.

Program Requirements

Our Religious Studies major requires 36 semester hours to complete the degree. This includes 12 semester hours of 3 core courses, 6 additional electives, at least two of which must be at the 300-level, and at least two of which must carry a REL prefix.

Students pursuing a Religious Studies minor will need to complete 20 semester hours in Religious Studies courses.

Students studying at a table in a classroom.
Admissions Information

Our Religious Studies program is open to first-year students, transfer students and international students. Learn more about Willamette’s undergraduate admissions process to get started.

A group of five people seated at a table, smiling and engaged in a meeting or class.
Financial Aid and Scholarships

Willamette University is committed to supporting Religious Studies majors with generous merit scholarships and financial aid. There is no separate application required for these scholarships. All admitted undergraduate applicants are automatically considered for merit-based scholarships, starting at $26,000 per year. These scholarships are awarded based on academic excellence, taking into account cumulative GPA and SAT or ACT scores, if provided.

Two students looking over an open book

FAQs

Willamette University

Religious Studies