Program Overview

Program Overview

The online Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies (BA) at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, engages students in the historical and critical academic study of religion as a crucial component of the study of world history, global cultures, and contemporary politics. This program equips students with the analytical tools to understand the complex relations among religion, culture, and society in past and present contexts.

Program Details

• Degree: Bachelor of Arts
• Major: Religious Studies
• College: College of Arts & Sciences
• Format: Asynchronous (fully online, no live sessions), Synchronous (fully online with scheduled live sessions), Mixed (fully online, mix of asynchronous and synchronous), Hybrid (mix of online and in-person instruction)
• Program Duration: The duration of the program is dependent on the student's academic history, transfer credits, and applicability of transfer credits to the University's and program's graduation requirements. Estimated duration is 48 months.
• Credit Hours: 120
• Cost Per Credit: $490 (in-state), $565 (out-of-state)
• Admission Terms: Fall, Spring, Summer

Admission Requirements

• Minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA
• Minimum 24 transfer credit hours

Program Concentrations

BA in Religious Studies

The major in Religious Studies is designed to engage students with the study of religion as a crucial component of the study of world history, global cultures, and contemporary politics. This program equips students with the analytical tools to understand the complex relations among religion, culture, and society in past and present contexts.

BA in Religious Studies, Religion and Non-Profit Leadership

Religion is an important part of the nonprofit world; in addition to nonprofits with religious missions, many other nonprofit organizations work with religiously diverse groups of people or other forms of religious diversity.

Featured Courses

• REST 202: Religion and Film - Introduction to the study of religion and “world religions” with a focus on religion and film.
• REST 280: Religions of Asia - An introduction to the religious traditions that have emerged from within the diverse cultural contexts of South, Southeast, and East Asia, and examines their global impact today.
• REST 309: Religion in the Workplace - Within the framework of the academic study of religion, students will engage legal and organizational issues with religion in the workplace, focusing on understanding the complex dynamics that characterize workplace interactions.
• REST 320: Gender, Sexuality, and Religion - This course explores how gender and sexuality are constructed, expressed, and addressed in religious history, literature and the arts, and social and political movements.

Career Opportunities

A degree in Religious Studies opens up a diverse array of career opportunities that extend far beyond traditional religious roles, including:

• Case managers
• Multicultural programmers
• Religious life programmers
• Human resources
• Humanitarian services
• Policy development

Key Dates & Deadlines

• Spring: Apply by December 15, Confirm Enrollment by January 9, Classes start January 20
• Summer: Apply by April 15, Confirm Enrollment by May 15, Classes start June 22
• Fall: Apply by July 1, Confirm Enrollment by August 1, Classes start August 17

Faculty Expertise

The faculty’s expertise is wide-ranging, spanning religious traditions such as Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, and indigenous traditions; geographic regions such as the Americas, Africa, the Ancient Mediterranean, and Asia; and thematic topics such as the relationship of religion to politics, gender, violence, sports, media, and the arts.