Extended Accelerator - Bachelor of Arts - Religious Studies

Program Description

• An immersive educational experience with a contextual curriculum bridging language, culture and academics.
• Live, Learn, Grow is a unique course designed for international students that will deepen your working knowledge of life in the United States and give you a comprehensive understanding of the local community and region.
• Bolster your academic achievement with English-language instruction, tutoring, academic advising and student support.
• Benefit from personalized English-language instruction that’s fully contextual—for example, lab-specific English-language instruction alongside your lab-inclusive science course.

Through teaching, research, critical thinking and action, the Department of Religious Studies aims to understand and explain the Roman Catholic tradition, in dialogue with other Christian traditions and other religions. In the ecumenical spirit of Vatican II, you’ll also have the opportunity to learn about other faith traditions — from Judaism to Islam to Buddhism.

As a religious studies major, you can tailor the program based on your interests by selecting one of five tracks. In the ministry track, you can train for a career as a pastoral associate, youth minister or parish religious educator in a Christian church. Through the Catholic schools track, you can prepare to teach religion in elementary or secondary schools. With the graduate school preparation track, you can gain the knowledge you need to pursue graduate studies in Christian theology, systematics, church history or ethics. The world religions track offers you the foundation you need for additional studies in religions other than Christianity. The general track allows you to broaden your horizons by exploring religious studies.

Religious faith crosses cultural and national boundaries. Dialogue with other Christians and people of other faiths is essential to our discipline. In order to prepare you for work in our global society, you will also complete a language requirement. You may satisfy the requirement by taking a proficiency examination, completing an intermediate-level language course or participating in an approved education abroad experience.