Religious Studies (Religion, Culture and Public Life), BA
Program Description
The BA in religious studies with a concentration in religion, culture and public life approaches religion as a mode of human culture, as constituted in intellect, language, emotion, practice, art and everyday life.
The program focuses on the role religions play in the formation of cultural identities, traditions, norms and memories, and it examines in particular the impact religions have on culturally specified ways 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; and the reflection and reproduction of religion in film, popular culture, and conventional, digital and social media.
In addition to the guidelines in the Concurrent Program Options section below, students interested in pursuing concurrent or second baccalaureate degrees in The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences are advised to visit the college's website for more information and requirements.
Required Courses (Major Map)
What if: See how your courses can be applied to another major and find out how to change your major.
At a Glance: program details
- Location: Tempe campus, or online
- Additional Program Fee: Yes
- Second Language Requirement: Yes
- First Required Math Course: MAT 142 - College Mathematics
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Math Intensity:
General
Admission Requirements
All students are required to meet general university admission requirements.
Freshman Transfer International Readmission
Transfer Options
ASU is committed to helping students thrive by offering tools that allow personalization of the transfer path to ASU. Students may use the Transfer Map search to outline a list of recommended courses to take prior to transfer.
ASU has transfer partnerships in Arizona and across the country to create a simplified transfer experience for students. These pathway programs include exclusive benefits, tools and resources, and help students save time and money in their college journey. Students may learn more about these programs by visiting the admission site: https://admission.asu.edu/transfer/pathway-programs.
Change of Major Requirements
A current ASU student has no additional requirements for changing majors.
Students should refer to https://changingmajors.asu.edu for information about how to change a major to this program.
Flexible Degree Options
Accelerated program options
This program allows students to obtain both a bachelor's and master's degree in as little as five years.
It is offered as an accelerated bachelor's and master's degree with:
Global Management (Creative Industries and Design Thinking), MGM
This concentration prepares graduates for leadership roles in global organizations. It offers applied learning opportunities, internships and 16 concentrations in real-world settings around the world where students gain hands-on experience and learn from the diverse perspectives of a global cohort of classmates.
Website | Locations: DTPHX
Global Management (Digital Audience Strategy), MGM
A new class of hybrid careers has recently emerged that combines digital media skills with marketing and design expertise. Offered in partnership with ASU's Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication, Thunderbird's concentration in digital audience strategy within the MGM program produces global leaders with management and multimedia skill sets.
Website | Locations: DTPHX
Global Management (Global Affairs), MGM
This concentration provides you with specialized cross-training in international affairs and the fundamentals of global management. It is designed for future leaders in nonprofit, governmental or international business roles.
Website | Locations: DTPHX
Global Management (Global Business), MGM
This concentration produces leaders with mastery of global business management principles and practices as well as a deep understanding of the economic, political and social factors driving change and how decisions affect global markets.
Website | Locations: DTPHX
Global Management (Global Development and Innovation), MGM
Become a global innovator with a higher purpose. Customize your degree with skills and experience that empower you to integrate economic, cultural and political variables in solving societal development issues such as raising standards of living.
Website | Locations: DTPHX
Global Management (Global Digital Transformation), MGM
Customize your degree with digital skills in marketing, design, product development, automation and data analytics. With a concentration in global digital transformation, you're prepared to lead the way in global industry 4.0.
Website | Locations: DTPHX
Global Management (Global Entrepreneurship), MGM
This concentration provides the expertise needed to conceive and execute innovative global ventures. Through rigorous coursework and in-depth exposure to current multicultural business practices, students master the principles of management for global entrepreneurial enterprises.
Website | Locations: DTPHX
Global Management (Global Health Care Delivery), MGM
This program is for those who seek a leadership role in the rapidly growing health care industry. This concentration provides you with a repertoire of global management skills and experience tailored specifically to health care.
Website | Locations: DTPHX
Global Management (Global Legal Studies), MGM
This concentration delivers experiential learning and skill-building in global management and legal analysis --- all in demand among multinational corporations, international nonprofit organizations, governments and nongovernmental organizations around the world.
Website | Locations: DTPHX
Global Management (Nonprofit Leadership and Management), MGM
New generations demand purpose-driven careers. Nonprofit organizations that operate globally are poised to meet your desire for meaningful, rewarding work that produces prosperity to enhance the communities they serve. Become a future-ready leader who can maximize the benefits of the fourth industrial revolution.
Website | Locations: DTPHX
Global Management (Public Administration), MGM
Public-private partnerships are on the rise globally. Executives and managers in this arena need repertoires that combine public administration mastery with cutting-edge global management skills and experience. This concentration addresses that cross-sectoral niche.
Website | Locations: DTPHX
Global Management (Public Policy), MGM
This concentration prepares students for careers as policy analysts and leaders in public service. Graduates around the world are involved in the formulation, approval, implementation and evaluation of public policy.
Website | Locations: DTPHX
Global Management (Sustainability Solutions), MGM
As sustainability gains importance worldwide, global organizations need expert leaders and managers who can transform sustainability practices. Tailor your experience with powerful new strategies and tactics for making sustainability a driver of organizational engagement, cost savings and innovation.
Website | Locations: DTPHX
Global Management (Sustainable Tourism), MGM
As ecotourism grows and the tourism industry adopts sustainability practices, managers and executives need new capabilities in order to transform global enterprises. This program prepares you for leadership roles in the global tourism arena.
Website | Locations: DTPHX
Global Management, MGM
This program offers applied learning opportunities, 17 concentration options, and internships in real-world global settings where you can gain hands-on experience and learn from the diverse perspectives of a global cohort of classmates.
Website | Locations: DTPHX,ONLNE
Acceptance to the graduate program requires a separate application. During their junior year, eligible students will be advised by their academic departments to apply.
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Career Outlook
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
- law
- justice studies
- 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 Careers
Students who complete this degree program may be prepared for the following careers. Advanced degrees or certifications may be required for academic or clinical positions. Career examples include but are not limited to:
Advocate
- Growth: 8.6%
- Median Salary*: $38,520
Counselor (General)
- Growth: 17.2%
- Median Salary*: $43,390
Lawyer
- Growth: 7.5%
- Median Salary*: $135,740
Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT)
- Growth: 14.9%
- Median Salary*: $56,570
News Reporter
- Growth: -3.3%
- Median Salary*: $55,960
Politician
- Growth: 3.4%
- Median Salary*: $48,090
Religion Professor
- Growth: 2.7%
- Median Salary*: $78,780
Religious Education Director
- Growth: -0.2%
- Median Salary*: $49,380
Religious Leader
- Growth: 0.6%
- Median Salary*: $55,550
Social Worker
- Growth: 5.3%
- Median Salary*: $50,820
* Data obtained from the Occupational Information Network (O*NET) under sponsorship of the U.S. Department of Labor/Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA).
Global Opportunities
Global Experience
With over 250 programs in more than 65 countries (ranging from one week to one year), study abroad is possible for all ASU students wishing to gain global skills and knowledge in preparation for a 21st-century career. Students earn ASU credit for completed courses, while staying on track for graduation, and may apply financial aid and scholarships toward program costs. https://mystudyabroad.asu.edu
Attend Online
ASU offers this program in an online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. Applicants may view the program description and request more information here.
Program Contact Information
If you have questions related to admission, please click here to request information and an admission specialist will reach out to you directly. For questions regarding faculty or courses, please use the contact information below.
- 480/965-8364