Religious Studies (Religion, C - Arizona State U

The Bachelor of Arts program in Religious Studies with a concentration in Religion, Culture, and Public Life approaches religion as a mode of human culture, examining its role in shaping cultural identities, traditions, norms, and memories.

Program Description

This program focuses on the impact of religions on culturally specified ways that people reason, communicate, socialize, work, entertain, dress, eat, live, and die. Special consideration is given to the influence of religion on gender roles and sexual norms, the formation of images of the body, and the moral assessment of medical practices. The program also examines the reflection and reproduction of religion in film, popular culture, and conventional, digital, and social media.

At a Glance

College/School: The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Location: Tempe or Online, ASU Local
Second Language Requirement: Yes
STEM-OPT Extension Eligible: No
First Required Math Course: MAT 114 - College Mathematics
Math Intensity: General

Curriculum

The curriculum for this program can be viewed in the archives or for the current academic year (2025-2026).

Concurrent Program Options

Students pursuing concurrent degrees earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. Working with their academic advisors, students can create their own concurrent degree combination. Some combinations are not possible due to high levels of overlap in curriculum.

Accelerated Program Options

This program allows students to obtain both a bachelor's and a master's degree in as little as five years. Accelerated bachelor's plus master's degree programs are designed for high-achieving students who want the opportunity to share undergraduate coursework with graduate coursework to accelerate completion of their master's degree.

Accelerated Master's Programs

Global Management (Creative Industries and Design Thinking), MGM
Global Management (Digital Audience Strategy), MGM
Global Management (Global Affairs), MGM
Global Management (Global Business), MGM
Global Management (Global Development and Innovation), MGM
Global Management (Global Digital Transformation), MGM
Global Management (Global Entrepreneurship), MGM
Global Management (Global Health Care Delivery), MGM
Global Management (Global Legal Studies), MGM
Global Management (Nonprofit Leadership and Management), MGM
Global Management (Public Administration), MGM
Global Management (Public Policy), MGM
Global Management (Sustainability Solutions), MGM
Global Management (Sustainable Tourism), MGM
Global Management, MGM

Admission Requirements

All students are required to meet general university admission requirements.

Tuition Information

When it comes to paying for higher education, everyone’s situation is different. Students can learn about ASU tuition and financial aid options to find out which will work best for them.

Change of Major Requirements

A current ASU student has no additional requirements for changing majors.

Attend Online

ASU offers this program in an online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year.

Transfer Options

ASU is committed to helping students thrive by offering tools that allow personalization of the transfer path to ASU.

Program Learning Outcomes

Program learning outcomes identify what a student will learn or be able to do upon completion of their program. This program’s learning outcomes include the following:

Formulate a thesis about a significant issue in religious studies relating to culture and public life.
Address and analyze a scholarly issue in religious studies relating to culture and public life.
Develop a sustained, evidence-based argument about a significant issue in religious studies relating to culture and public life.

Global Opportunities

Religion plays a major role in cultural and societal norms, identities, and traditions all over the world. Through one of more than 300 distinct Global Education programs, students witness firsthand diverse religions and cultures, and gain a heightened understanding of the impact of religion on human culture.

Career Opportunities

Religious studies majors seek jobs in many professional areas, including:

Chaplaincy
Diversity management
Education
Foreign service
Health care, including mental health and counseling
Journalism
Law
Nonprofit and nongovernmental organizations
Public service and public policy
Publishing

Religious studies is an excellent foundation for graduate and professional studies in:

Anthropology
Gender studies
Health care
History
Justice studies
Law
Philosophy
Political science
Sociology
Theology

The concentration addresses present-day interests and prepares students for jobs in a variety of professions. In addition to the fields listed above, students also pursue employment in media studies, migration, and international studies.

Example Job Titles and Salaries

Advocate: 6.4% growth, $45,120 median salary
Lawyer: 4.1% growth, $151,160 median salary
Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT): 12.6% growth, $63,780 median salary
Mental Health Counselor: 16.8% growth, $59,190 median salary
News Reporter: -3.9% growth, $60,280 median salary
Politician: 3.4% growth, $44,810 median salary
Religion Professor: 0.7% growth, $78,050 median salary
Religious Education Director: 2.1% growth, $54,840 median salary
Religious Leader: 1.0% growth, $60,820 median salary
Social Worker: 3.4% growth, $58,570 median salary

Religious Studies (Religion, Culture and Public Life)

Program Overview