The Religious Studies Major (Download the Majors Guide, [PDF 228 KB]; [RTF 376 KB)]:

Leads to a BA in religious studies.

Total Hours Required: 120 s.h.

1. Gen. Ed. Requirements: 42 s.h.

2. Requires 12 s.h. of foreign language through level 1004

3. BA Major Requirements: 33 s.h. of Religion courses

      6 s.h. RELI 4500 and REL 5000 (Normally taken during your last two semesters, in any order.)

      27 s.h. Religion courses with a minimum of 21 s.h. from "Core Religion Electives."

4. Approved structured electives (can be a minor) to complete required 120 s.h. A minimum of 24 s.h. from “BA major” requirements above 2999.

The Religious Studies Double Major:

Students are encouraged to double major in order to broaden their appeal in the marketplace and to complement their primary major. Because of the flexibility of the religion program, it is easy to double major.

Total Hours Required: 120 s.h.

1. Gen. Ed. Requirements: 42 s.h. General education credits may be used to satisfy the 2^nd major requirements.)

2. Requires 12 s.h. of foreign language through level 1004, unless the "primary" major is a BS degree.

3. BA Major Requirements: 33 s.h. of Religion courses

      6 s.h. RELI 4500 and REL 5000 (Normally taken during your last two semesters, in any order.)

      27 s.h. Religion courses with a minimum of 21 s.h. from "Core Religion Electives."

4. Approved structured electives (can be a minor) to complete required 120 s.h. A minimum of 24 s.h. from “BA major” requirements above 2999. If any courses qualify as core or elective courses for both majors, they can be double-counted.

The Religious Studies Minor:

The minor is a desirable complement to many majors.  However, the BA double major requires only 2 additional courses above the minor, so you may want to go for a double major instead.

Minor Requirements: RELI 4500, RELI 5000, and 18 s.h. (minimum of 12 s.h. from “Core Religion Electives”)

Graduate Studies:

There are a number of master's level programs through which your interest in religion can be addressed.

Master of Arts in International Studies. This innovative interdisciplinary program provides the possibility for concentration on religion as a major international issue. Contact MAIS director.

Theses: In recent years graduate students with an interest in religion have written master's theses in the following departments: anthropology, English, history, psychology, and sociology.

Graduate Minor in Religion: See one of the Co-Directors of Religious Studies.

For more information, please contact the Program Co-Directors:

Dr. Derek Maher
252.328.5332
maherd@ecu.edu || Personal Web Page

Dr. Calvin Mercer
252.328.4301
mercerc@ecu.edu || Personal Web Page