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.
Undergraduate Bachelor of Arts
Major, Minor
124
4 Years
Salem Campus
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.
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.
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.
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.
Dr. Stephen Patterson is a renowned expert on the origins of Christianity. The author of several books and dozens of scholarly articles, Dr. Patterson has lectured around the world and appeared in many documentaries. He offers much and expects much from his students.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Willamette University