Inside Religious Studies
VCU College of Humanities and Sciences

Inside Religious Studies is part of a series relating majors at VCU to occupational fields. The information in this pamphlet can help you in planning your education and career.

Religion is the study of human beliefs, practices, rituals, sacred literature, and worship activities. Religious studies is an excellent focus for an interdisciplinary study and a broad understanding of human culture.

Through the general education requirements, taken in the freshman and sophomore years, students typically develop the following skills:

• curiosity and intellectual ability to ask the right questions - to think critically.
• interpersonal skills to understand and influence others.
• ability to communicate, in writing and orally, along with the ability to analyze and synthesize information.
• a breadth of background from the sciences, mathematics, social sciences, and humanities.
• a sense of ethics that will not be compromised by immediate personal gain or prejudice.

Some of the skills students in this major often develop include:

• ability to reason and think critically.
• ability to formulate and defend positions.
• analytical skills.
• strong writing and reading skills.

Typical coursework in this major might include the following:

• Old Testament
• The Bible as Literature
• Islam
• Development of Judaic Thought
• Black Religion
• Jesus in the New Testament
• Zen Buddhism
• Dead Sea Scrolls
• Existentialism
• Religions of the World

To become more marketable:

• Take electives related to your career goals (for example, in business management, marketing, or mass communications) or minor in a supporting area such as psychology.
• Arrange for an internship or part-time employment.
• Enroll in the Cooperative Education program to gain valuable work experience.
• Participate in, and take on leadership roles in, extracurricular activities.

In order to pursue careers directly related to religious studies, graduate study is necessary. However, those students with appropriate supplemental experience (see above) may find work in a variety of occupational areas:

• Advertising Worker
• Editorial Assistant
• FBI/CIA Agent
• Insurance Agent
• Non-profit Agency Worker
• Personnel Interviewer
• Public Relations Worker
• Research Assistant
• Retail Management Trainee
• Sales Representative
• Technical Writer
• Youth Program Coordinator

Students who pursue a Ph.D. usually teach at the college level. Some religious studies students go on to seminary in order to join the ministry. Other religious studies majors go to graduate school in different fields, such as education, law, medicine, or business.

Further information is available at the Career Center (Commons, first floor) or through the division:

Virginia Commonwealth University
College of Humanities and Sciences
Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies
Stark House, 915 W. Franklin St.
PO Box 842025
Richmond VA 23284-2025

(804) 828-1224
Fax: (804) 828-8714

This brochure is published by the VCU Career Development Council in cooperation with academic departments.

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