Religion

Bachelor of Arts

The Religion major allows students to explore their passions, interests, and ideas in an inclusive, student-centered environment. Students study religion at the intersections of culture, history, politics, ethics, conflict, and peace.

The religion major engages students through faculty-mentored research, service and experiential learning, and a flexible curriculum, as our students strive to understand the complex role that religion plays in the world today.

The Curriculum

The religion degree program at Cal Lutheran provides a solid grounding for students to engage with diverse religious traditions both locally and globally. This program supports the liberal arts emphasis of the University and prepares students to understand and negotiate the myriad complexities of religion they will face after graduation, whether they work in business, local government, social services, education, medicine, administration, sales, or the environment.

Students construct their own individualized emphasis that will prepare them for a variety of careers or further study. The major is structured in a way to allow for the potential to double major in Religion and Political Science, Philosophy, Environmental Science, Communication, Sociology, and more. The Religion minor is also a great complement to many Cal Lutheran academic majors.

Opportunities exist for students to pursue internships, experiential learning, and independent studies, allowing them to explore areas of potential career interest. Students majoring in religion graduate from Cal Lutheran well-prepared for public leadership in diverse religious communities as well as professional studies.



Programs

Offered as a major (BA) and a minor.


Recommended Minors

Want to add even more value to your degree? Consider one of these minors to gain a unique combination of skills and perspectives.


The Experience

I help students develop the capacity to critically examine global social issues and explore how they can personally contribute to a more just, beautiful, and sustainable world.

Victor Thasiah
Assistant Professor

Alongside students in and out of the classroom I listen to big questions, encourage personal reflection, and help cultivate engagement with the broader community. It helps to wrestle with how your purpose is connected to and plays out in the world we share.

Colleen Windham-Hughes
Assistant Professor
Your Future

Opportunities exist for students to do internships and independent studies, allowing them to explore areas of potential career interest, and students majoring in religion graduate from Cal Lutheran well-prepared for seminary study. In addition, Lutheran students are eligible for the Associate in Ministry program for lay persons who are certified by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.


Our alumni study at:
  • Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary
  • Claremont School of Theology
  • Fuller School of Psychology
  • Fuller Theological Seminary
  • Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago
  • Princeton University
  • Washington State University
  • Yale University
Our alumni work for:
  • A Christian Ministry in the National Parks
  • Crossroads Community Church
  • ELCA Division for Global Mission
  • Grace Lutheran Church
  • Lamb of God Lutheran Church
  • Lutheran Social Services
  • Trinity Lutheran University
  • Westlake Lutheran Church
Career paths:
  • Youth Pastor/Minister
  • Director of Youth Ministries
  • Church Programming Assistant
  • Director of Christian Education
  • Development Associate
  • Director of Family & Youth Life

of Cal Lutheran graduates find a job or enroll in graduate school within nine months

More Career Outcomes



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