The Religion and Philosophy Major is a broad program that offers flexibility for students to prepare for seminary studies, church ministry, or graduate study of religion. In addition to completing the general education requirements, students pursuing a major in Religion must complete the following major program requirements: 

The major consists of 11 courses in addition to the exploratory course in religion that is taken as part of the Ethos core (RLGN 1101-RLGN 1108), yielding a total of 12 courses.  The Religion & Philosophy major must include at least two (2) courses in each of these areas:  Biblical Studies, Historical Studies, and Ethics and Theological Studies.  The major also requires at least one course in the area of Philosophy.  In addition, all Religion & Philosophy majors will complete a senior thesis or project.  Thus, of the 12 courses required for a religion major, at least seven (7) courses must conform to the following guidelines: 

• Biblical Studies (two courses). At least one course must be at the 2000-level or above.   Courses: 2110, 2111, 2120, 2121, 3110-3160. 
• Historical Studies (one course). Courses: 1104 or 1106 (if not taken for the core), 2210-2230, 3210-3220. 
• Ethics and Theological Studies (two courses). Courses: 1105, 1107, or 1108 (if not taken for the core), 2310, 3310-3360. 
• Philosophy (one course). Courses:  any of the philosophy courses, which are listed under Area IV in the course listing below. 
• Senior Thesis or Project (one course). Course 4620 is normally taken in the fall of the senior year.  The student should choose a project director from within the Religion & Philosophy faculty and work with this director to refine a topic in the semester prior to which the student enrolls for the course.  Thus, most students should select a project director and general topic by the end of the spring semester of the junior year, will present a proposed topic to the faculty at the beginning of the next fall term, and will complete the work by the end of the fall term.  

Students are free to choose any other religion or philosophy offering for the remaining five (5) courses. Students interested in ministry may wish to choose courses in the Church Leadership area (3510-3560).  Internships may be taken for up to 3 hours of credit, with permission of the program coordinator.  At least six (6) courses in the major must be numbered at the 2000-level or above. 

The Religion and Philosophy Major with Honors 

Students who maintain a 3.5 grade point average in Religion and Philosophy courses and who receive A- grades or better on their senior theses or projects may graduate with program honors.