Program Overview

Religion Degree

Overview

The University of North Texas offers a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Religion, a program that provides a thorough understanding of global issues, critical thinking, and the role of religion in human development.

Program Details

• Program Type: Major
• Format: On Campus
• Estimated Time to Complete: 4 years
• Credit Hours: 120

Description

The Religion degree program at UNT is the only one of its kind at a public university in the region. It encourages open dialogue among students and faculty, treating all religions equally. The program allows students to focus on a particular area of interest, with courses available in various disciplines, including philosophy, English, history, anthropology, sociology, and more.

Requirements

• Tuition & Aid: Available
• How to Apply: Information available upon request

Why Earn a Religion Degree?

With a Bachelor of Arts in Religion, students gain a thorough understanding of multiple religious traditions and develop oral and written communication skills. The program addresses:

• Historical, cultural, and conceptual origins and development of world religions
• Similarities and differences between religion and philosophy, literature, sociology, and anthropology
• Objective understanding of religions
• Application of knowledge to local and global issues
• Influence of religions on politics, law, science, and the arts

Faculty Expertise

Faculty members have expertise in religious studies, philosophy of religion, and religion and ecology. Their research has examined:

• Ancient Israel and religious history
• Comparative studies between Eastern and Western religious traditions
• Jewish philosophy
• Religion and the environment
• Religion, culture, and film in South Asia
• Science, technology, and religion

Marketable Skills

• Familiarity with major world religions
• Multi-cultural/diversity competencies
• Relating religion to ecology
• Interpreting historical texts
• Understanding roles of religions in cultures

Program Highlights

• The department hosts a colloquium series with guest speakers covering topics relevant to philosophy and religious studies.
• Students can earn a certificate in Jewish and Israeli studies or Jain and India Studies to enhance their degree.

Career Opportunities

Many companies hire religion majors due to their critical thinking, communication skills, and understanding of global issues. Careers can be found in:

• Business
• Law
• Medicine
• Publishing
• Social service
• Teaching

The degree can also prepare students for graduate school, such as a Master's of Divinity or other professional programs.

Sample Courses

• Religion and American Society (3 hrs): Explores religious pluralism in the United States, religion and civil rights, evolution and creationism, and more.
• Sociology of Religion (3 hrs): Examines the sociological approach to studying religion in society, covering topics such as secularization theory and church-sect theory.
• Rabbinic Judaism (3 hrs): Investigates the fundamental principles of Jewish law, focusing on biblical sources, Rabbinic interpretations, and traditions.
• Islam and Philosophy (3 hrs): Examines major issues, figures, and texts of Islamic philosophy and theology, including al-Kindi, al-Razi, and Ibn Sina.
• Eastern Religion and the Environment (3 hrs): Explores non-Western religious traditions for an environmental philosophy, focusing on South Asian and East Asian philosophical and religious traditions.
• World Religions (3 hrs): Covers the philosophical and social dimensions of Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam, and Humanism.