Q: WHAT CAN I DO WITH A MAJOR OR MINOR IN RELIGIOUS STUDIES?
A: MORE THAN YOU THINK!
Stephen Prothero, chair of the Religion department at Boston University and a guest on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, argues that "religious literacy" is useful in all areas of political and social life and that religious education should therefore be regarded as an essential part of a well-rounded education along with Reading, Writing, and Arithmetic. To view the video link, click here.
Not everyone who takes courses in Religious Studies has to major or minor in the department, but those who do have any number of career options open to them down the road. They might:
· Pursue graduate work in Religious Studies, whether in a university (e.g., M.A. or Ph.D.) or a seminary or divinity school (M.Div., M.T.S., Ph.D., D.Min.). Alma alums are currently enrolled at places including Princeton Theological Seminary in NJ, Louisville Theological Seminary in KY, and Eden Seminary in St. Louis, MO.
· Pursue careers in religious institutions, whether as pastoral leaders; music and worship leaders; educators of children, youth, and/or adults (see our page on "Christian Education"); social outreach workers; or administrators.
· Pursue careers and/or graduate work in fields other than religion, such as journalism, law, medicine and health care, social work, the arts, social sciences, business, environmental sciences, the nonprofit sector—any field in which critical thinking, excellent communication, cross-cultural education, and interest in human beings are necessary.
