Degree Type:
Bachelor’s Degree, Minor
Mode of Study:
On Campus

Religion courses at MU develop a deeper understanding of the “big questions” that occur at the limits of human experience. Coursework in religion is valuable in three respects: 1) It broadens your intellectual horizons and can be spiritually fulfilling, 2) This program trains you in research, critical thinking, and ethical reasoning, which are all skills desired by employers today, no matter the industry, 3) If your goal is a career in ministry or graduate study of religion, this major gives you the required foundation in theory, method, and tradition required for further study.

Common Career Paths

Basic knowledge about other cultures and religious perspectives is indispensable. Religion majors have successfully gone on to professional jobs in:

  • Business
  • Counseling & Social Work
  • Education
  • Journalism
  • Law
  • Medicine
  • Ministry

Common Salary Ranges for Graduates

As mentioned above, there’s a long list of career opportunities for those with Religion degrees. But, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports the average annual salary for the following positions (which may require additional education) in North Carolina in 2021:

  • Philosophy and religion teacher: $88,260
  • Social worker: $57,880
  • Religious workers: $54,340
  • Clergy: $57,230
  • Directors of religious activities and education: $52,880

Average Tuition Cost

The average cost for an incoming residential freshman to attend MU is less than $18,000 – similar to the cost of attending one of the big-box public schools, but with the enhanced value of a highly-regarded private school with a 12:1 student-to-faculty ratio.

While tuition varies, depending on a student’s financial aid package, it’s important to know that the average financial award for an incoming residential freshman at MU is more than $34,000.

Financial Aid & Scholarships

More than 97% of MU students receive some form of financial aid, with the University offering more than $24 million annually to students for scholarships. If a student is active military, family of active military, or a veteran, they may also qualify for MU’s military education benefits.

Interested in Methodist University’s Religion program?

Just reach out to Dr. Kevin Hoffman using the contact info at the bottom of the page. If you’re ready to apply today, click the button below!

Frequently Asked Question

Yes. Religion courses at MU develop a deeper understanding of the “big questions” that occur at the limits of human experience. Coursework in religion is valuable in three respects: 1) It broadens your intellectual horizons and can be spiritually fulfilling, 2) This program trains you in research, critical thinking, and ethical reasoning, which are all skills desired by employers today, no matter the industry, 3) If your goal is a career in ministry or graduate study of religion, this major gives you the required foundation in theory, method, and tradition required for further study.

Major Requirements

B.A. Foreign Language Requirement

12 credits

Students must either demonstrate competence in a foreign language up to the 2020 level, or take four semesters of foreign language, two of which must be in the same language.

Textual Studies Course Requirements

6 credits

REL 2010 Survey of Hebrew Bible (3) REL 2020 Survey of the New Testament (3)

Breadth Course Requirements

6 credits

REL 1500 Religions of Asia (3) REL 1510 Monotheistic Religions (3)

Church History Course Requirements

6 credits

REL 4050 Early Christianity (3) REL 4060 Reformation Europe (3)

Electives

Select six courses (18 credit hours) from the following course list:

PHI 3010 History of Western Philosophy (3) REL 3020 Jesus and the Gospels
PHI 3300 Philosophy of Religion (3) REL 3220 Religion and Literature
REL 1030 Introduction to Religion (3) REL 4040 Myth and Culture
REL 1050 Religion in the Age of Science (3) REL 4850 Special Topics in Religion
REL 1070 Religion and Film (3) REL 4990 Independent Study in Religion

Minor Requirements

Select five Religion elective courses (15 credits), including 6 credits at the 3000 level or above.