Major in Religious Studies (B.A.)
The major in Religious Studies (BA) requires at least 30 units of Religious Studies (RELI) coursework (10 courses), including the required courses outlined below. At least 18 of these units (6 of the 10 courses) must be at the 300 level or higher, with at least 3 units (1 course) at the 400 level. 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.
Required Course (3 units)
- RELI 200: Introduction to the Study of Religion OR RELI 380: Encountering Religion (3 units)
Global Religions (9 units)
Choose one course from 3 of the following 4 areas (9 units)
- Abrahamic Religions (Judaism, Christianity or Islam)
- Asian Religions
- Indigenous Religions
- Religions of Antiquity (courses with significant focus on BCE)
Concentration Area (9 units)
Choose three courses (9 units)
With the consultation and approval of an 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.
Electives (9 units)
Choose three elective courses (9 units)
*Upper-level Courses: At least one 3-unit course selected for any of the areas above must be at the 400 level. At least 5 additional courses (15 units) must be at the 300 level or above, for a total of 6 upper-level courses (18 units).
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.)
The major in RSHP (B.S.) requires at least 30 units of Religious Studies coursework (10 courses), including the required courses outlined below. 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 RSHP major (B.S.) requires a minimum of 30 units of science and/or health related coursework at any level, including coursework for the science/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.
Required Courses (9 Units Total):
- RELI 200: Introduction to the Study of Religion (3 units) OR RELI 380: Encountering Religion (3 units)
- RELI 406: Religious Diversity in Healthcare (3 units)
- RELI 493: Internship (3 units)
Choose 2 in Religion, Science, & Health (6 Units Total):
- RELI 303: Spirituality & Sickness: Religion & Health in the U.S. (3 units)
- RELI 326: God, Humanity, & Science (3 units)
- RELI 336: Spirituality, Psychology & the Mind (3 units)
- RELI 359: Buddhism & Healing (3 units)
*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
- Additional courses with the approval of a faculty advisor
Electives (6 units)
Choose two elective course (6 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.
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.