Cost & earnings at University of Colorado Boulder What students borrow here, and what they go on to earn
The Bachelor’s degree in Religion at the University of Colorado Boulder is an interdisciplinary programme that examines religious traditions, practices and ideas from historical, cultural and critical perspectives. It suits students who want to study religion as a lived social phenomenon and develop skills in critical reading, research, and comparative analysis for careers in education, public service, nonprofit work or further academic study.
The Religious Studies bachelor’s degree at CU Boulder combines historical, anthropological, textual and theoretical approaches to religion. Early study typically introduces key methods in the academic study of religion, comparative frameworks, and foundational courses on major world traditions such as Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam and Judaism. Students then take intermediate and upper-level courses that explore specialised topics such as ritual and performance, religion and politics, gender and sexuality in religious contexts, scripture and interpretation, religion and the arts, and religion in modernity.
Programme structure usually includes a set of core seminars, area electives, methodological training in research and interpretation, and opportunities for independent study or a senior capstone project. Many students combine religion coursework with language study (for example, Biblical languages, Arabic, Sanskrit, Hebrew or modern languages) and with complementary disciplines such as history, anthropology, philosophy, sociology or gender studies. The department supports participation in undergraduate research, internships, and study abroad to situate classroom learning in broader cultural contexts.
Admission to the University of Colorado Boulder is through the university’s undergraduate application process. Prospective students should present a completed secondary school credential or equivalent and meet the university’s standard academic requirements for admission. Competitive applicants to humanities programmes typically show strong performance in high-school humanities and social-science subjects and evidence of reading, writing and critical thinking skills.
International applicants must hold a recognised secondary-school diploma and demonstrate English language proficiency through an approved test or other university-accepted evidence. Transfer applicants should have a record of successful college-level work; course equivalencies and credit transfer are evaluated according to CU Boulder policies. There are no programme-specific standardised test cutoffs published here; applicants should consult the university for up-to-date admission criteria and any faculty-advised prerequisites such as prior coursework in history, literature or languages.
A degree in Religious Studies from CU Boulder develops analytical, research, writing and cross-cultural skills that employers value across many sectors. Graduates move into careers in education, community and social services, nonprofit and advocacy organisations, museums and cultural institutions, media and journalism, public policy, and international relations. The degree also provides strong preparation for postgraduate study in fields such as theology, religious studies, law, public policy, social sciences and doctoral research.
Students often enhance employability through internships, service-learning placements, institutional partnerships and by pairing the major with minors or certificates in areas such as public policy, business, environmental studies, or language to tailor career pathways.
CU Boulder’s Department of Religious Studies offers an interdisciplinary curriculum with faculty expertise across a wide range of traditions and methods. The university encourages undergraduate research and provides structured opportunities to work with faculty mentors, access special collections and pursue independent projects. Students benefit from course offerings that connect religious studies to contemporary social and political issues and from collaboration with neighbouring departments and centres on campus.
Located in Boulder with easy access to Denver and an active cultural scene, the university combines strong academic resources with extracurricular and internship opportunities in museums, cultural organisations and civic institutions. The campus environment also supports study abroad and fieldwork experiences that deepen comparative and linguistic skills, while career services and advising help students translate their degree into graduate study or employment.
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