CUNY(The City University of New York)

What you'll study

The programme combines introductory survey courses with specialised modules that examine religion from historical, textual, anthropological and philosophical perspectives. You will study core topics such as world religions (Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism and indigenous traditions), sacred texts and scriptural interpretation, ritual, belief and practice, and religion and modernity.

• Core modules: introductions to religion and methods in religious studies, theory of religion, ethics and religious thought, and capstone/senior seminar.
• Regional and tradition-focused modules: Old and New Testament/Hebrew Bible studies, New Testament and early Christianity, Islamic history and thought, South Asian religions, East Asian religions, and Jewish studies.
• Thematic modules: religion and politics, gender and sexuality in religious traditions, religion and law, religion and science, ritual studies, and religion in urban contexts.
• Textual and language work: opportunities to study ancient and modern languages relevant to religious texts (for example Biblical Hebrew, Greek, Arabic, Sanskrit), and courses in textual criticism and translation.
• Research and practical learning: independent research projects or honours theses, fieldwork options, internships with community organisations, museums, archives or faith-based NGOs, and cross-disciplinary electives from history, anthropology, philosophy and sociology.

The degree is typically structured to meet university general-education requirements alongside a defined number of credits in major courses, electives and a senior capstone experience.

Entry requirements

Applicants are normally expected to hold a high-school diploma or equivalent and to meet CUNY’s general admissions standards. Typical evidence required includes academic transcripts and a personal statement outlining interest in religious studies. Colleges may recommend or require a minimum GPA; applicants with strong coursework in humanities, social sciences, history or languages are particularly competitive.

Transfer students should provide college transcripts and descriptions of completed coursework. Mature or non-traditional applicants may be considered on the strength of prior learning or professional experience. International applicants will need to satisfy the university’s English language proficiency requirements.

Career prospects

A BA in Religion prepares graduates for a range of careers that value critical thinking, writing, cultural literacy and research skills. Common pathways include:

• Further study: MA or PhD programmes in religious studies, theology, divinity, or related humanities and social sciences.
• Education and academia: secondary teaching (often with additional certification), higher-education research and administration.
• Public and community work: roles in non-profit organisations, community outreach, interfaith and chaplaincy services, social services and advocacy.
• Culture and heritage sectors: museum and archival work, public history, curation and cultural programming.
• Public policy, law and journalism: positions in policy analysis, legal careers (often following law school), media and communications covering religion and culture.
• Business and international work: roles in human resources, diversity and inclusion, international organisations and diplomacy where religious literacy is an asset.

Why study at CUNY (The City University of New York)

CUNY offers study of religion within one of the world’s most religiously and culturally diverse cities, providing unmatched access to living communities, places of worship, cultural centres and archival resources. Students benefit from faculty whose research spans historical and contemporary approaches to religion, and from opportunities to cross-register among CUNY colleges for specialised courses.

The university’s connections with New York institutions—museums, cultural organisations, advocacy groups and faith communities—support internships, public programming and experiential learning. As a public university system, CUNY emphasises accessibility and provides a range of academic support services, counselling and career guidance to help students translate degree learning into careers or further study.