Religious Studies

The religious studies major sparks curiosity of religions and cultures globally.

Why Study Religious Studies at Valpo?

Beginning fall 2025, Valpo’s Department of Religious Studies is introducing a new major and curriculum that expands students’ view of the world. The religious studies major sparks curiosity of religions globally, encompassing Christianity and other religious traditions and cultures. Our students explore and engage with religion as a lived, cross-cultural, and comparative discipline. You’ll broaden your understanding of your own beliefs while also gaining deeper insight into those of others – helping you better connect with your neighbors across the street and around the world.

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About Our Religious Studies Degree

The religious studies major at Valpo helps you understand the world – and yourself – on a deeper level. The curriculum explores religions globally, encompassing Christianity and other religious traditions, with courses in history, philosophy, sacred texts, and more. Students of all backgrounds are invited to examine the complex nature of religion and its role in our interconnected world today. By studying different faiths and engaging with life’s big questions, you’ll gain insight into who you are and how you see the world, as well as cultures around the globe.

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Program Overview

Career Paths

With a degree in religious studies, students gain cultural competency and can pursue a variety of careers, opening doors to work with religious organizations, nonprofits, service-driven institutions, and more. Religious studies complements majors such as sociology, social work, psychology, education, or any STEM field, and it prepares students for graduate programs or Christian ministry studies. Career paths include:

Christian ministry leader
Community outreach specialist
Counselor
Global humanitarian services or nonprofit professional
Grant writer
Journalist or media producer
Librarian
Religious educator
Social worker
Teacher

Students also pursue advanced studies, such as:

Graduate study in religious studies, theology, or other related disciplines
Seminary training for ordained ministry

Major Requirements

There are 40+ religious studies courses available for undergraduate students at Valpo, exploring religions globally. Learn more about the religious studies major requirements (minimum 28 credits):

Core Requirements

Course		Credits
REL 100	Religion and Society	3
REL 300	Human Experience and Faith Expression: Theories and Methods	3
REL 493	Senior Seminar in Religious Studies	6

Distribution Requirements

Take two 200-level survey courses from two of the three field areas:

Sacred Texts: 201-202
Faith Traditions: 221-235
Social Issues and Ethics: 251

Course		Credits
REL 201 or REL 201WIC	Survey of Biblical Literature	3
REL 202	Reading the Bible Across Culture & Time	3
REL 221	Christianity	3
REL 223	Judaism	3
REL 225 or REL 225WIC	Islam	3
REL 231	Hinduism	3
REl 235	World Religions	3
REL 251	Christian Theology and the Moral Life	3

Electives

Take a minimum of 14 credits from the following:

One additional 200-level survey
300-400 level courses, including practica

For the full list of religious studies elective courses, visit our catalog.

Opportunities to Lead and Serve

Valpo offers many ways for students to grow in leadership, service, and faith. Students who are interested in ministry can participate in the weekly Christian Formation and Leadership Symposium and apply for the University’s Allen Scholars Program. Religious studies students are also regularly selected for internships through the Calling and Purpose in Society (CAPS) Fellows Program, organized by Valpo’s Institute for Leadership and Service. These opportunities help students deepen their faith, develop practical skills, and prepare for lives of purpose and leadership.

Experiential Learning

Students in religious studies at Valpo have rich opportunities for experiential learning, supported by the University’s long-standing foundation of lived faith. With campus partners such as the Division of Calling and Spiritual Life, students are invited to observe different ways of worshipping, leading, and serving. Students visit places of worship in the local community, including a Buddhist temple, Christian churches, a Hindu temple, an Islamic Center, and a Sikh Gurudvara. Workshops on meditation, prayer, and other religious practices offer insight into religion as a lived experience. Campus programming, including panels and conferences, also provides opportunities to learn about different faiths through dialogue and discussion.

Additionally, involvement in the local community is an integral part of the religious studies curriculum. Students engage with local nonprofits and learn about individuals, community, service, and leadership.

religious studies

Program Rankings & Highlights

Experts and Mentors

Our faculty is called to help students understand their own beliefs and those of others.

Diverse Career Paths

Graduates can pursue careers in religious organizations, nonprofits and more.

Allen Scholars

program provides scholarships to students discerning how to best serve the church after college.

The Chapel of the Resurrection

A Way Station of Wonder, A Haven of Hope

Before coming to Valpo, the words “In Luce Tua Videmus Lucem” most likely would have been lost in translation – literally – for those of us who don’t speak Latin (so…most of us). Since coming to Valpo, however, you may now know those words to mean “In Thy Light We See Light.” …

Religious Studies

Meet Our Faculty

Our religious studies faculty members are called to help students understand their own beliefs and those of others. Professors at Valpo bring a variety of expertise in the field and provide personalized mentorship to help guide students on their journey to a career that shines with purpose.

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