Religious Studies, B.A.

Return to: 3510 Department of Religious Studies

Degree Requirements (120 Hours)

In addition to the Program Degree Requirements, students must fulfill the College of Arts and Sciences Degree Requirements (see 3000 College of Arts and Sciences ) and the University Degree Requirements (see 1400 University Degree Requirements and Graduation ).

University Grade-Point Average and Grade Requirements

Georgia State University undergraduate students must achieve an overall institutional grade-point average of 2.0 and a major GPA of 2.0 in the Major and Additional Courses areas to receive a bachelor’s degree from the university. Grades of C- can be used to satisfy graduation requirements. However, some courses have prerequisites that require a grade of C or higher. (See 1460 GPA Requirement for additional information.)

Field of Study Area (18 Hours)

Required Courses (6 Hours)

RELS 2001 - Introduction to World Religions 3 Credit Hours
World language at the 1002 or higher level 3 Hours
(see “World Language Requirement for B.A. and B.I.S. Majors” )

Field Electives

Select additional elective courses from the following to complete 18 hours in the Field of Study Area:

Recommended courses: World language 2001 or 2002

Major Area (24 Hours)

To satisfy the requirements for the B.A. degree with a major in religious studies, a student must take a total of 24 semester hours, including the following distribution requirements:

CTW Requirement (3 Hours)

Complete the following course to fulfill the Critical Thinking Through Writing (CTW) requirement:

RELS 3750 - Theories and Methods in Religious Studies-CTW 3 Credit Hours

Required Course (3 Hours)

RELS 3270 - Religious Traditions of the World 3 Credit Hours

Electives (18 Hours)

Students must take an additional 18 credit hours in RELS courses at the 3000 and 4000 level to complete the major. Of these 18 hours, up to six semester hours may be taken in upper-division courses taught outside the Department of Religious Studies. Acceptable courses vary depending on departments’ abilities to offer classes with religious studies content. Students with questions may consult the Director of Undergraduate Studies.

Additional Courses Area

Students majoring in religious studies are not required to take a minor.
Additional courses not in the major must be taken as electives to complete a minimum of 120 semester hours. The department strongly recommends that religious studies majors take the fourth semester of a world language as an elective course.

Additional Information

Graduation with Distinction in the Major

This unit offers undergraduate students with the opportunity to earn the designation of graduation with distinction in the major. Please contact the undergraduate director for the specific criteria for this honor.

Alumni Undergraduate Award

Through the generous support of the Religious Studies Alumni Board an Alumni Undergraduate Award was endowed to recognize outstanding student work. This cash award is given to a graduating senior determined by the department to have an exemplary academic record and participation in the department.