Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies
Program Overview & Goals
Students in the Religious Studies major at Hendrix College explore the beliefs, practices, texts, histories, and cultural expressions of religious traditions across the world. They engage in interdisciplinary study and critical inquiry, to examine how religion shapes individuals, societies, ethics, politics, and cultural life. Through engagement with diverse traditions and perspectives, students foster an understanding of religion’s role in historical and contemporary contexts.
Via Hendrix
Whether your goals include completing a Master of Social Work degree, pursuing theological studies, or running a church, you can get there Via Hendrix.
At Hendrix, learning extends beyond the classroom from the very beginning.
Via Hendrix integrates career readiness into the college experience through hands-on projects, immersive opportunities, and personalized support that help students explore interests, gain experience, and prepare for meaningful futures. The result is an education that equips you not only for a career, but for a life shaped by purpose and possibility.
Careers & Outcomes
A Hendrix Religious Studies education teaches students to apply their learning to real-world issues, work with teams of people toward common goals, and articulate their skills and knowledge in terms of career competencies valued by employers.
Salary Projections
The median salary for a social worker is $61,330, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Top Industries
- Social Work
- Theological Studies
- Nonprofit
- Business
- International Relations
Career Options
A degree in Religious Studies prepares students to be engaged leaders in a religiously diverse world. Hendrix Religious Studies alumni work in a variety of interesting, fulfilling careers, including:
- Chaplain
- Language Instructor
- Resident Physician
- Public Relations Manager
Co-op Opportunities
Experience separates good job candidates from great ones. At Hendrix, Religious Studies students engage in meaningful experiential learning through internships, community partnerships, and applied work in diverse settings. Through this required component of the major, students have worked at places including:
- Faith-Based Nonprofit Organizations
- Hospitals and Chaplaincy Programs
- Museums and Cultural Heritage Institutions
- Interfaith and Community Outreach Organizations
Roadmap to the Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies
Every Religious Studies major and minor takes foundational courses in world religions, sacred texts, and ethical traditions. Through experiential learning opportunities, students develop critical thinking, cultural understanding, and analytical skills while exploring the beliefs, practices, and social forces that shape human life across diverse communities and traditions.
Year One
Our First-Year Experience gives you the freedom to discover what you care about most and find a path to get there. Your coursework this year allows you to master the foundations of religious traditions, ethics, and critical inquiry. You also begin to learn how to interpret texts, examine diverse worldviews, and engage thoughtfully with complex questions about belief, culture, and society.
Year Two
In your second year, you will have a stronger vision of what your academic experience and career planning look like. Your integrated advising team of faculty, career counselors, and mentors will ensure that the things you study align with your future goals while still providing room to explore.
Year Three
Your third year includes a required full-time co-op. For one semester, you earn credit while applying knowledge from your coursework in a professional setting.
Year Four
Your last year is not the finish line. It is where everything starts. Bring together years of research and reflection and graduate ready to engage thoughtfully with an increasingly interconnected world.
Meet the Faculty
Every Religious Studies faculty member brings deep expertise in the study of world religions, sacred texts, ethics, and cultural traditions, grounded in rigorous scholarship and thoughtful engagement with global belief systems. Just as importantly, they are dedicated to you. They work closely with you as teachers, mentors, and advisors, supporting your intellectual growth and guiding you toward meaningful careers, graduate study, and lives of purpose and understanding.
Christ Valencia
Assistant Professor of Religious Studies
Robert Williamson
Professor of Religious Studies
Director of Health Humanities
Chair, Humanities Area
William M. Gorvine
Dr. Brad Baltz & Rev. William B. Smith Odyssey Professor of Religious Studies
Related Programs
Via Hendrix, you can explore the beliefs and traditions that shape cultures around the world, learn to analyze religious texts and practices, or even design your own academic path focused on meaning, ethics, and human understanding.
Your Next Steps Via Hendrix
Every field is shaped by human meaning and culture. Learn how much insight and real-world value a Religious Studies major or minor from Hendrix College can deliver for you while preparing you to think critically about ethics, traditions, and human understanding.