Religious studies is the academic study of the nature of religion and how it shapes and is shaped by other cultural forces. Religion is increasingly recognized as a vital part of our individual and community identity, as a political force nationally and globally, and as both a source of conflict and a potential resource for healing social divisions.
The Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies is a low-unit major offering both a deep knowledge of major religious traditions and a comprehensive exploration of the role of religion in the contemporary world. In courses like Religion and Nature; Religion, Sex, and Gender; World Religions and Global Issues; and the capstone course Religion, Public Life and the Professions, you work closely with outstanding professors in small classes who both challenge you and support your learning.
Advising Requirement
Advising is mandatory for this program. Consult your department advisor or program coordinator for information.
E-advising Tools
Use the interactive e-advising tools designed to help students graduate within four years. These tools can be accessed through the Student Center in the Portal.
Grading Requirement
All courses taken to fulfill program course requirements must be taken for a letter grade except those courses specified by the department as credit/no credit grading only.
Course Requirements for the Major: 34 units
Completion of the following courses, or their approved transfer equivalents, is required of all candidates for this degree. Courses in this program may complete more than one graduation requirement.
Capstone: Religion, Public Life, and the Professions (W)
4
Total Units
34
Electives Requirement
To complete the total units required for the bachelor's degree, select additional elective courses from the total University offerings. You should consult with an advisor regarding the selection of courses which will provide breadth to your University experience and possibly apply to a supportive second major or minor.
See Bachelor's Degree Requirements for complete details on general degree requirements. A minimum of 39 units, including those required for the major, must be upper division.
General Education Requirements: 43 units
See General Education and the Class Schedule for the most current information on General Education requirements and course offerings.
Transfer students accepted into this degree completion program generally will have completed all lower-division General Education requirements.
American Institutions Course Requirements: 6 units
The American Institutions graduation requirement, as mandated in Title 5, Section 40404, requires that students satisfactorily complete courses in United States history, the US Constitution, and government and American ideals (including California state and local government). At Chico State, HIST 130 meets the US history requirement (US-1), and POLS 155 meets the US Constitution and government requirement (US-2) and the California state and local government requirement (US-3). POLS 155 also fulfills three units of GE Area 4, Social and Behavioral Sciences. See Bachelor’s Degree Requirements for more information.
Diversity Course Requirements: 6 units
You must complete a minimum of two courses that focus primarily on cultural diversity. At least one course must be in US Diversity (USD) and at least one in Global Cultures (GC). See Diversity Requirements for a full list of courses. Many courses taken to satisfy these requirements may also apply to General Education.
Upper-Division Writing Requirement
Writing Across the Curriculum (EM 17-009) is a graduation requirement and may be demonstrated through satisfactory completion of four Writing (W) courses, two of which are designated by the major department. See Writing and Math Requirements for more details on the four courses. The first of the major designated Writing (W) courses is listed below.
The second major-designated Writing course is the Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GW) (EO 665). Students must earn a C- or higher to receive GW credit. The GE English Composition (1A) requirement must be completed before a student is permitted to register for a GW course.
This online, state-support degree completion program is designed for the student who has at least 60 units of lower-division credit completed and is looking to finish their college requirements and bachelor’s degree. Transfer students who have completed lower-division GE and American Ideals/Institutions requirements can complete the program in four semesters; students entering with more than 60 units of applicable transfer credit may complete sooner.
