The information below describes typical occupations and employers associated with this major. Understand that some of the options listed below may require additional training. Moreover, you are not limited to these options alone when choosing a possible career path.
Description of Religious Studies
The Department of Religious Studies has as its primary objective the academic study of religion. The courses offered explore living religious traditions, especially the Judeo-Christian faith and its relevance for contemporary life.
Students take courses in religious studies in order to investigate areas of personal interest, acquire valuable career and interpersonal skills, prepare for a vocation, and fulfill the basic requirement in humanities. The study of religion can aid in developing skills for the analysis of human problems and the means for their solution. It also promotes ethical awareness and commitment. Such knowledge, skills, and commitment can facilitate careers. Students majoring or minoring in religious studies will select their individualized course of study in consultation with their departmental advisors. The major leads to a balanced and integrated understanding of basic concepts and methodologies in the study of religion. Twelve courses are required for a major; seven for a minor.
Majors in religious studies are fully qualified to enter seminary and prepare for a vocation in the church, or they may choose to pursue a doctorate in religion and follow an academic career as teachers and scholars. Other graduates have entered the fields of business, counseling, publishing, social work, law, and medicine. (Rhodes’ Department of Religious Studies Website)
Possible Job Titles of Religious Studies Graduates
(*Jobs secured as reported by Rhodes Career Services post-graduate survey)
Account Service Rep*
Administrative Director*
Advertising Agent
Assistant to Publisher*
Behavior Specialist*
Business Owner*
Camp Director
Campus Minister
Case Manager*
Chaplain
Church Planner
Community Developer
Community Service Coord.*
Counselor*
Customer Service Associate*
Day Care Worker
Director of Religious Education
Director of Sales*
Director of Student Ministries*
Editor
Evangelist
Financial Planner*
Human Resource Specialist
Intake Counselor
Junior High Youth Director*
Lead Case Manager*
Library Assistant*
Manager*
Marketing Accountant*
Minister of Music
Missionary Office Manager*
Outreach Program Coordinator*
Pastor
Photography Intern*
Priest
Program Coordinator*
Public Relations Officer
Rabbi
Real Estate Title Examiner*
Receptionist*
Religious Writer
Researcher
Sales Associate*
Social Worker
Supervisor
Teacher*
Tech Support*
Volunteer
Youth Director*
Youth Minister
Possible Employers and Employment Settings for Religious Studies Graduates
(*Jobs secured as reported by Rhodes Career Services post-graduate survey)
ADT Security Systems*
Banks*
Born Capital Markets*
Churches*
Colleges and Universities*
Comcare*
Correctional Facilities
Denominational Boards
Department Stores*
Healthyme.md*
Hidden Lake Academy
Hospitals*
International Paper*
John J. Wood Company*
Libraries*
Lil’ Angels*
Lucent Technologies
Lycee Andre Malraux*
Mental Health Centers*
Men’s Journal Magazine*
Military Branches
Missions Boards
Mosques
Newspapers / Magazines*
Non-profit Organizations*
Nursing Homes
Private Schools
Public Interest Data, Inc.*
Publishing Companies
Radio/TV/Film Industry
Religious Organizations
Retirement Homes
School Systems*
Seminaries
Shelters
Shuping Morse & Ross*
Street Ministries*
Synagogues
TBI
The Premier*
US Army
US Peace Corp
Youth Organizations
Youth Villages*
Skill Sets and Interests Associated with Religious Studies Majors
- Able to critically analyze religious texts
- Proficient at evaluating historical data
- Knowledgeable of classical and modern languages
- Ability to interact with diverse people
- Ability to win, persuade or influence others
- Skilled in reading, writing, and communicating
- Considerate and sensitive to the needs of others
- Understanding of practice, procedure, and doctrine of personal faith
- Sympathetic to others’ spiritual and emotional needs
- Capable of criticizing theological formulations or ideas
Top Career Services Resources for Religious Studies Majors
- Careers for Good Samaritans & Other Humanitarian Types by Marjorie Eberts and Margaret Gisler
- The Liberal Arts Advantage by Gregory Giangrande
- Good Works edited by Donna Colvin
- Life Keys by Jane Kise, David Stark, and Sandra Hirsh
- Making a Living While Making a Difference by Melissa Everett
- Soul Work by Deborah Bloch and Lee Richmond
Career Services 901-843-3800