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Religion

The study of religion will equip you for the complexities of both public and personal life, with deep attention to the intersections of culture, history, politics, ethics, justice, conflict, and peace—as well as questions of life and death, happiness, and what it means to lead and to serve.

Through faculty-mentored research, service and experiential learning, and a flexible curriculum, you will gain a deep understanding of the complex role that religion plays in the world today.

Overview
Explore interfaith perspectives

Our religion program provides a solid grounding for you to engage with diverse religious traditions both locally and globally. Courses include themes or topics across multiple religious traditions, as well as in-depth studies of specific religious traditions, including Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, and Indigenous lifeways.

Customize your degree

You will be able to construct your own individualized emphasis that will prepare you for a variety of careers or further study. The major is structured to allow for double majoring, and popular combinations include political science, philosophy, environmental studies, communication, sociology, and more. Our religion minor is also a great complement to many Cal Lutheran academic majors.

Gain hands-on experience

You will have opportunities to pursue internships, experiential learning, and independent studies, allowing you to explore areas of potential career interest. This program supports the liberal arts emphasis of the university and prepares you to understand and negotiate the myriad complexities of religion in our world today, including spaces in business, local government, social services, education, medicine, administration, sales and environmental advocacy.


At a Glance

Degree Type

Bachelor of Arts

Department

Religion

School/College

College of Arts and Sciences

Next Steps

Interested in this major? Here's what you can do next:

The Curriculum

With challenging and relevant courses, outstanding faculty, small class sizes, and an emphasis on hands-on learning, the religion program will position you to succeed in your chosen career.

Degree requirements

Find out what it takes to earn a degree in religion and explore the courses.


Highlighted Courses

Get familiar with some of the courses you might take in this major.

RLTH 300: Religion, Identity and Vocation

This course introduces the study of religion. It pursues questions concerning the history, meaning and interpretation of religious texts and action, and the broader contexts in which religion evolves. In addition to selective focus on the Christian tradition, this course considers core values of Lutheran higher education such as pluralism, interfaith cooperation and sustainability. Additional religious traditions may be included.

See description
RLTH 351: Global Ethics

A variety of issues have arisen which need to be examined from global perspective: political repression, social change, terrorism and war, economic globalization, immigration, human rights, health, and the environment. This course examines these issues from the perspectives of global religions, ethics, social theory, and social movements

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RLTH 349: Queer Theology

This seminar course seeks to ask and respond to the theological questions within the context of queer theory. Moving beyond LGBTQ liberation theology, it seeks to (dis)integrate traditional understandings of the divine and consider the theological implications of identity, particularly by dis-/e-/rupting binaries such as good and evil, female and male, straight and gay, divine and human.

See description
RLTH 381: Religion, Food and the Environment

Humans eat food. Human cultural and religious phenomena relate intimately to patterns of eating-which is why anthropologists, sociologists, historians, and scholars of religions have long been fascinated with the relationships between sacred stores and ritual practices involving food. This course takes an interdisciplinary approach to studying the intersections between religion, food, and environments.

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RLTH 334: The American Religious Experience

The course traces the historical role(s) of religion in the United States of America from Native American religious traditions, through the dominance of Christianity in its multiple expressions, to the modern-day reality of pluralism. Themes include but are not limited to the relationship between religion and politics; the importance of the U.S. as a land of (religious) opportunity; religion and money; pluralism as a religious idea and/or challenge; and social frameworks such as class, sports, gender and sexuality.

See description
RLTH 384: Religion and Ecological Ethics

Religion and ecological ethics is the challenging work of 1) gaining clarity about our positions, attitudes, and assumptions with respect to "the environment" by drawing from the disciplines of both religious and philosophical ethics; 2) developing rigorous ways to think about complex issues such as climate change, environmental injustice, ethical treatment of animals, farming and food justice, and others; and 3) outlining practical approaches to local/global issues and short/long term actions.

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View all required courses



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

We offer hands-on opportunities that give you the freedom to explore your passion through real-world work and prepare for a fulfilling career.

  • Student Research Grants

    The Louis W. and Gladyce Foster Family Foundation fellowship awards allow students to engage in research that is full-time, faculty-mentored, novel, and presentable outside the university. The quality of mentoring from faculty member is vital as the goal of these fellowships is to advance students in their professional and personal development.

  • Study Abroad

    Cal Lutheran offers a range of options for study abroad, from semester programs to short-term travel seminars.

    Benefits of studying abroad include:

    • Gain international perspective
    • Build proficiency in a language
    • Learn to navigate a different environment
    • Develop intercultural awareness
    • Enhance your resume for jobs
Student photo

Beyond my own faith, by being in conversation with people of other faiths in which care and respect for the world are more central than that seen in media representations of Christianity, we can learn from each other how to create an ecological ethic in our own understanding of the world.

Jessica Easter '23

Career Paths

Students majoring in religion graduate from Cal Lutheran prepared for a wide variety of pursuits, including graduate school, seminary, and employment in many different fields. 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.


Potential Careers

Archivists

Appraise, edit, and direct safekeeping of permanent records and historically valuable documents. Participate in research activities based on archival materials.

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Curators

Administer collections, such as artwork, collectibles, historic items, or scientific specimens of museums or other institutions. May conduct instructional, research, or public service activities of institution.

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Librarians and Media Collections Specialists

Administer and maintain libraries or collections of information, for public or private access through reference or borrowing. Work in a variety of settings, such as educational institutions, museums, and corporations, and with various types of informational materials, such as books, periodicals, recordings, films, and databases. Tasks may include acquiring, cataloging, and circulating library materials, and user services such as locating and organizing information, providing instruction on how to access information, and setting up and operating a library's media equipment.

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Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in philosophy, religion, and theology. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

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Clergy

Conduct religious worship and perform other spiritual functions associated with beliefs and practices of religious faith or denomination. Provide spiritual and moral guidance and assistance to members.

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Directors, Religious Activities and Education

Coordinate or design programs and conduct outreach to promote the religious education or activities of a denominational group. May provide counseling, guidance, and leadership relative to marital, health, financial, and religious problems.

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Fundraisers

Organize activities to raise funds or otherwise solicit and gather monetary donations or other gifts for an organization. May design and produce promotional materials. May also raise awareness of the organization's work, goals, and financial needs.

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Education Administrators, Postsecondary

Plan, direct, or coordinate student instruction, administration, and services, as well as other research and educational activities, at postsecondary institutions, including universities, colleges, and junior and community colleges.

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Looking for more career paths? Search these related areas to discover more options.

Employers

Some of the organizations our graduates work for include:

  • 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

Graduate Schools

Our alumni have pursued advanced degrees at:

  • Claremont School of Theology
  • Fuller School of Psychology
  • Fuller Theological Seminary
  • Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago
  • Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary
  • Princeton University
  • Washington State University
  • Yale University

This page includes information from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. Some occupations listed above may require a related graduate degree.

How We Prepare You for Success

We have 20,000+ employer contacts for jobs and internships, with over 200 listings posted each week.

Our excellent career counselors in the Career Services center will get in touch with you during your very first term on campus. They offer over 50 workshops each year on resume writing, interviewing, salary negotiations, applying to graduate schools, and other critical skills to help you begin your career successfully.

After you graduate from Cal Lutheran, you receive free access to Career Services for life, as a valued member of our alumni family.

Learn more about career outcomes

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

Cost & Financial Aid

We work with students and families to make sure everyone who is admitted to Cal Lutheran can afford it.


Tuition & Fees

You and your family might have questions about how you’ll cover the costs of college. We can tell you this — it costs less than you think.

Read our financial aid guide

Scholarships & Grants

We offer a range of awards based on academic merit and financial need. This is money that does not need to be repaid.

View scholarships and grants

Financial Aid

If you're new to the financial aid process, you probably have a lot of questions. But don't worry — we're here to help guide you all the way.

Learn about financial aid

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