Degree Requirements

Major in Religious Studies (B.A.)

At least 30 units of Religious Studies (RELI) coursework (10 courses), including the required courses and projects outlined below. At least 18 of these units (6 of the 10 courses) must be at the 300 level or higher. For students who matriculated at the University of Arizona in 2022 or later, up to two courses numbered 150 or 160 can count toward the Religious Studies degree.

Approaches to Religious Studies
  • RELI 200: Introduction to the Study of Religion + one additional approaches course (6 units)
Global Religions

Choose three courses, one from each of the following areas (9 units)

  • Asian Religions
  • Abrahamic Religions (Judaism, Christianity or Islam)
  • Indigenous Religions
Concentration Areas

Choose three courses. (9 units)
With the consultation and approval of an undergraduate advisor, three RELI courses are to be selected so that the courses build competence in a designated area of concentration. The area of concentration will be determined by students in consultation with an academic advisor, based on available courses. A culminating academic paper, project, and/or engagement assignment based on the student's interest will be completed in the Senior Capstone course (RELI 498).

Elective

Choose one elective course. (3 units)

Senior Capstone
  • RELI 498: Senior Capstone 
    A seminar-style class with other Religious Studies majors and a core Religious Studies faculty member.

Upcoming course offerings can be found on the Course Schedule or on UAccess Student. You can also view our comprehensive course list.


Major in Religious Studies for Health Professionals (RSHP) (B.S.)

Required Courses:
  • RELI 200: Introduction to the Study of Religion (3 units)
  • RELI 406: Religious Diversity in Healthcare (3 units)
  • Internship Sequence: PAH 383 (3 units) & PAH 493 (3 units)
Choose 2 in Religion, Science, & Health (6 Units Total):
  • RELI 303: Spirituality & Sickness: Religion & Health in the U.S.
  • RELI 326: God, Humanity, & Science
  • RELI 336: Spirituality, Psychology & the Mind
  • RELI 359: Buddhism & Healing

*Any taken beyond 6 units count toward the 9 health concentration units (see below).

3 Additional Courses in Health Concentration (9 Units Total):

Choose three courses:

  • RELI 203: Religion & Medicine in Western Healing Traditions
  • RELI 211: Life After Death in World Religions & Philosophies
  • RELI 212: Intro to American Indian Religious Traditions
  • RELI 313: Health & Medicine in Classical Antiquity
  • RELI 360: Religion, Nature, and Climate Change
  • RELI 363: Religion & Sex
  • RELI 367: Yoga
  • RELI 404: Religion, Gender, & the Body
  • RELI 482: Tantric Buddhism
  • EAS/RELI 333: Buddhist Meditation Traditions
  • MAS/AIS/RELI 405: Traditional Indian Medicine
  • CHS 309: Ethical Issues Common to the Helping Professions
Elective

Choose one elective course (3 units). For students who matriculated at the University of Arizona in 2022 or later, courses numbered 150 or 160 can count toward the Religious Studies for Health Professionals degree. 

Students pursuing the B.S. in RSHP must have a science or health related minor (or second major in a science or health field). The B.S. in RSHP requires a minimum of 30 units of science and/or health related coursework at any level (including coursework for the science or health minor or major). Students must also fulfill M-strand Math requirements to fulfill degree requirements for the B.S. in RSHP. Please contact an advisor for more details.

Learn more


Minor Programs in Religious Studies

Religious Studies Minor

This minor requires eighteen (18) units of Religious Studies course work (6 courses) at the 100 level or higher. At least 9 of these units (3 courses) must be at the 300 level or higher.

A maximum of 3 units of independent study (courses numbered 399/499) may apply to the Religious Studies minor.

 


New Testament Language and Literature Minor

Nineteen (19) required units. At least 9 of these units must be at the 300 level or higher. For more information, visit the New Testament Language and Literature Minor webpage.

 


Religious Studies for Health Professionals Minor

A minor in RSHP requires eighteen (18) units of coursework (6 courses) at the 100 level or higher, including at least 9 units (3 courses) of upper division work (300 level and higher), as follows:

Choose 2 in Religion, Science, & Health (6 units):
  • RELI 303: Spirituality & Sickness: Religion & Health in the U.S.
  • RELI 326: God, Humanity, & Science
  • RELI 336: Spirituality, Psychology & the Mind
  • RELI 359: Buddhism & Healing
  • RELI 406: Religious Diversity in Healthcare

* Any taken beyond 6 units count toward the 9 health concentration units (see below).

3 additional courses in the Health Concentration (9 units):
  • RELI 203: Religion & Medicine in Western Healing Traditions
  • RELI 211: Life After Death in World Religions & Philosophies
  • RELI 212: Intro to American Indian Religious Traditions
  • RELI 313: Health & Medicine in Classical Antiquity
  • RELI 360: Religion, Nature, and Climate Change
  • RELI 363: Religion & Sex
  • RELI 367: Yoga
  • REL 381: African/Indigenous Religions
  • RELI 404: Religion, Gender, & the Body
  • RELI 428A: Globalization, the Environment, & Indigenous Religions
  • RELI 482: Tantric Buddhism
  • EAS/RELI 333: Buddhist Meditation Traditions
  • MAS/AIS/RELI 405: Traditional Indian Medicine
Choose 1 additional RELI Elective (3 units):

A maximum of 3 units of independent study (courses numbered 399/499) may apply to the minor.

For information on double-dipping General Education courses with Religious Studies majors and minors, see the Double Use of Courses (Double Dipping) webpage. Upcoming course offerings can be found on the Course Schedule or on UAccess Student. You can also view our comprehensive course list.

For information on general education and overall degree requirements associated with majors offered by the College of Humanities, please visit the COH academic advising page.

 

Ready to Declare?

Thank you for your interest in Religious Studies and/or Religious Studies for Health Professionals. There are many benefits of majoring in Religious Studies or Religious Studies for Health Professionals. Learn More 

Declare a major or minor in one of the following ways:

In Person

Meet in person with the Religious Studies faculty advisor or make an appointment with the College of Humanities Academic Advising Center

Online form

Complete the online Major/Minor declaration form (NetID required). A faculty advisor will follow up to schedule a meeting. If you do not hear from a faculty advisor within a week, please contact the College of Humanities Academic Advising Center.