Michigan State University

What you'll study

The Religious Studies BA offers an interdisciplinary curriculum that examines religious traditions, texts, practices and their roles in culture, politics and everyday life. Core work develops skills in critical reading, comparative analysis, historical methods and theory.

• Introductory courses in approaches to the study of religion, world religions and foundations of religious thought.
• Textual and historical study covering scriptures, sacred literatures and the historical development of major traditions (e.g. Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism).
• Thematic and topical modules such as religion and politics, religion and gender, ritual and material religion, religion and law, and religion in modernity.
• Methods and theory courses in anthropological, sociological and historical methods for studying religion; critical theory and interdisciplinary approaches.
• Regional or language electives that allow deeper engagement with particular cultures or primary sources (for example, classical languages or modern language study relevant to regional expertise).
• Capstone experience or senior seminar that integrates coursework into a substantial research project, often supervised by a faculty member.
• Optional experiential learning including community-based internships, study abroad, collaborative research with faculty, and opportunities to work with special collections and archives in the MSU Libraries.

Entry requirements

Admission to Michigan State University is competitive and based on a holistic review of academic preparation, recommendations and extracurricular commitments. Applicants to the Religious Studies programme should present a strong secondary-school record with solid preparation in the humanities and writing.

• Completion of an accredited secondary-school diploma or recognised equivalent. International applicants must hold the equivalent qualification from their home country.
• Evidence of academic preparation in writing, history or social studies is recommended; study of a modern or classical language is an advantage.
• Michigan State considers the whole application package; standardised tests may be optional as determined by the university’s undergraduate admissions policy. Applicants whose first language is not English will need to demonstrate English language proficiency by an approved test or alternative pathway.
• Successful applicants typically show intellectual curiosity, clear written communication and some engagement with community, leadership or extracurricular activities that demonstrate readiness for independent study and research.

Career prospects

A degree in Religious Studies prepares graduates for a wide range of careers that value analytical thinking, research, cross-cultural literacy and communication skills. Common career paths include:

• Education and teaching (secondary-school teaching with additional certification, higher education or museum education).
• Non-profit and community organisations, including work in advocacy, interfaith dialogue, refugee and social services.
• Public service, policy analysis and roles in government or diplomatic service where cultural and religious literacy are assets.
• Media, journalism, publishing and cultural institutions where interpretation of diverse perspectives is essential.
• Further professional or graduate study in divinity, theology, law, public policy, international affairs or academic research in religious studies and related fields.

Why study at Michigan State University

Michigan State is a large public research university that combines strong liberal-arts teaching with extensive resources for research and experiential learning. The Department of Religious Studies is housed within a broad arts and letters environment that supports interdisciplinary collaboration across history, anthropology, political science, literature and languages.

• Access to MSU’s research resources and libraries, including special collections that support work with primary religious texts and archival materials.
• Opportunities for undergraduate research and close mentorship from faculty with expertise across geographic regions and methodological approaches.
• Established pathways for study abroad and internships that allow students to apply classroom learning in international and community settings.
• A campus environment in East Lansing with strong student support services, career resources and a vibrant cultural life that complements classroom study.