Dedman College Majors

Rigorous courses span four areas: philosophical (religious ideas and values), historical (religious movements and institutions), scientific (behaviors and systematic ways of thinking), and textual (religious traditions and scriptures). Additional humanities courses – such as history, philosophy, and anthropology – expand your religious studies perspective and help you fully appreciate how religion enriches lives.

Degree Highlights

B.A. in Religious Studies
Minimum 30 term hours of courses within the department

Minor in Religious Studies
Minimum 15 term hours of courses within the department

Related Majors and Minors

Religious studies can be combined with other academic disciplines for a well-rounded double major or minor. Examples are: history, art history, psychology, sociology, international studies, and philosophy.

Careers

Many of our graduates go on to professional schools such as theological seminaries or law schools, or they enter Master’s or Ph.D. programs in religious studies.

Faculty

Our faculty members are accessible and never too busy to give you personal attention. They are experts in such areas as comparative religions, mysticism, mythology, the Gospels, Asian religious traditions, Jewish history and thought, and Islamic studies. Many have published noteworthy books and articles. No class has more than 50 students.

Internships & Study Abroad

Dedman College students get paid internships through the Hegi Family Career Development Center. Students majoring in religious studies may be eligible to earn up to three (3) graded credits toward their degrees by enrolling for unpaid, faculty-directed internships through the Dedman College Internship Program.

The SMU Study Abroad Program is an enlightening experience for all religious studies majors. Choose from yearlong, semester, or summer programs. Especially worthwhile are such programs as SMU-in-Copenhagen, SMU-in-Japan, SMU-in-Spain, and SMU-in-Oxford.