Skip to main content

Appalachian State University

Appalachian State University
Advanced search
Information For...
  • Current Students
  • Parents & Family
  • Faculty & Staff
  • Alumni
Quick Links
  • COVID-19
  • Give
  • Maps
  • Employment
  • Library
  • AppalNet
  • AsULearn
  • A-Z
Main Menu
  • Why Choose App?
  • Visit
  • Admissions
  • Academics
  • Campus Life
  • About
  • Home
  • Academics
  • Undergraduate Programs

Religious Studies (BA)

About

Studying religion develops students’ critical thinking, writing and persuasion skills. You will learn how to debate your values and, through the study of religious theory, come to understand the origin of information and how knowledge is created from different perspectives.

Students majoring in the Religious Studies (BA) degree at Appalachian State University typically prepare for careers as religious leaders or employees of religious-affiliated organizations, but the skills you’ll develop are vital in many fields. You will learn from engaged faculty who foster deep conversations inside and outside the classroom. Class sizes are small, so you’ll receive individualized attention.

The Department of Philosophy and Religion values undergraduate research whether it is completed alongside a professor or through an independent study. The department values practical experience and encourages internships. The department’s internship coordinator will assist as you in researching and securing a host site that is applicable to your career interests.

After Graduation

Employment: Students find employment in parks and recreation services, universities such as South University, the United Methodist Church, Cooperative Baptist Fellowship and other religious-affiliated organizations.

Graduate school: Those choosing to pursue advanced degrees have gone on to University of Miami Law School, Emory University, Duke University, Duke University Divinity School, Moravian Theological Seminary, Harvard Divinity School, Wake Forest University, American University and UNC-Chapel Hill.

Career Exploration website

People

  • Faculty Profile: Dr. Bill Hutchins
    Faculty Profile: Dr. Bill Hutchins

    A world-renowned translator of Arabic literature, this religious studies professor won a National Translation Award from the American Literary Translators Association in 2015 and co-won the Saif Ghobash Banipal Prize for 2013.

    Meet more faculty

  • Alumnus Profile: Rev. Rob Lee
    Alumnus Profile: Rev. Rob Lee

    Having to write frequently as an undergraduate prepared Lee well for graduate school and beyond. He is now a prolific author and sought-after commentator on religious issues.

  • Faculty Profile: Dr. Laura Ammon
    Faculty Profile: Dr. Laura Ammon

    Dr. Laura Ammon’s journey toward a career in religious studies started with a question, Why doesn’t religion make the world a better place?

    Meet more faculty

Courses

  • Program of Study
    Program of Study
  • Four Year Guide
    Four Year Guide

    Click on the pdf for your major

  • NCCC Transfer Four Year Guide
    NCCC Transfer Four Year Guide

Related Program

  • Philosophy (BA)

Minors

A minor is required. Popular minors include:

  • Anthropology
  • Philosophy
  • Psychology
  • Sociology

View all minors

Engagement Outside the Classroom

  • Defense for Faith - a campus club for Christian and non-Christian students to discuss, debate, and learn about intellectual issues and ideas that relate to Christianity and other worldviews.
  • CULTuRe (Collegiate Undergraduates Learning Things about Religion) - an organization devoted to learning about different religions in a friendly environment. Members have talks by religion professors, attend religious events hosted by other clubs, and eat dinner together occasionally.
  • Vocations for Christ - an organization to guide and encourage students who are considering full-time Christian ministry with their preparations for such ministry and selection of a graduate program.

Global Learning

Appalachian is committed to introducing students to different cultures and teaching them how to live and interact in a global society.

Each summer, Religious Studies professor Randy Reed and Philosophy professor Jack Kwong lead students on a 6-credit hour study abroad program to Paris and Rome for a class titled “Love, Sex, and Power in the History of Christianity and the Meaning of Life.”

Admission Requirements

There are no admission requirements beyond admission to Appalachian State University.

apply

Apply

visit

Visit

connect

Connect

programs

Degrees

Want to learn more?

Register for Info Session
Costs and Aid

Why Appalachian?

  • A degree in religion develops students’ critical thinking, writing and persuasion skills.
  • Students can conduct research alongside a faculty member or on their own through an independent study. The Department of Philosophy and Religion encourages them to present their research at conferences and professional meetings and also contributes funds for travel. For example, in Spring 2015 students presented research on Millennials in the church.
  • Students are encouraged to pursue an internship, and the department’s internship coordinator can help identify an ideal site.

Location

Boone and Hickory*

*The Hickory Campus location is pending accreditation from SACSCOC for this program. Accreditation is expected in summer 2023.

Careers

Some of these jobs may require education beyond a bachelors’ degree.

  • Campus Religious Coordinator
  • Chaplain
  • Church Building Engineer
  • Church Camp Director
  • Clergy
  • Counselor
  • Denominational Executive
  • Diplomat
  • Director of Religious Education
  • Fund-raiser
  • Guidance Counselor
  • Labor Relations Researcher
  • Lawyer
  • Lobbyist
  • Missionary
  • Nonprofit/NGO Manager
  • Nursing Home Director
  • Political Campaign Worker
  • Priest
  • Professor
  • Psychologist
  • Public Policy Manager
  • Rabbi
  • Religious Researcher
  • Religious Staff Writer
  • Research Assistant
  • Youth Minister

View more career possibilities

Contacts

College of Arts and Sciences

Department of Philosophy and Religion

Dr. Mathew Foust
Department Chair
foustma@appstate.edu
828-262-4031

  • Department of Philosophy and Religion

    The Department of Philosophy and Religion invites students to explore the world, examine beliefs, understand a diversity of worldviews, and challenge the ideas and values that instruct our lives. The department offers a B.A. in philosophy and a B.A. in religious studies, as well as a minor in both of these areas. Learn more at philrel.appstate.edu.

  • College of Arts and Sciences

    Appalachian’s Largest College

    The College of Arts and Sciences at Appalachian State University is home to 17 academic departments, two centers and one residential college spanning the humanities and the social, mathematical and natural sciences. The college is dedicated to providing instruction and research essential to the university's mission and seeks to cultivate the habits of inquiry, learning and service among all its constituents.

    By the Numbers

    • 1/3 of the degrees awarded at Appalachian
    • More than 70% of general education courses are taught in the college
    • 93 majors offered
    • 53 minors offered
    • 6,411 undergraduate majors
    • More than 460 full-time faculty members
    • 41,203 living alumni
    • $8,754,800 awarded to the college in external grants during the 2020–21 academic year
    • $236,914 awarded to students through 6 collegewide scholarships and 98 departmental scholarships for the 2020–21 academic year

    Graduate Programs

    Accelerated Master’s program opportunities are available in pursuing a master's degree in 12 selected areas: Appalachian Studies, Biology, Computer Science, Engineering Physics, English, Geography and Planning, History, Mathematics, Romance Languages (French/Spanish), Political Science, Psychology (Experimental Science) and Public Administration. Other master’s degrees, graduate certificates and specialist degrees are listed on Appalachian’s School of Graduate Studies website.

    Top Employment Sectors

    • Colleges, Universities and Professional Schools
    • Federal, State and Local Government
    • Justice, Public Order and Safety Activities
    • Computer Systems Design and Related Services
    • Legal Services
    • Health Care
    • Biotech/Engineering
    • Elementary and Secondary Schools
    • Nonprofit Organizations

Appalachian Cares

It's up to me|us

Appalachian Cares is a place to find resources and support available for our students faculty and staff regarding student health and safety.

  • App State at Hickory
  • Accessibility
  • Bookstore
  • Contact Us
  • Emergency
  • Employment
  • Equal Opportunity Policy
  • Maps
  • Pay Bills
  • Policy Manual
  • Title IX

Connect

Facebook logo Twitter logo Youtube logo Insatgram logo

Connect with Appalachian's social media accounts from university programs, departments and administrative units..

Appalachian State University

Appalachian State University

287 Rivers St., Boone, NC 28608 | 828-262-2000 | Copyright 2023 Appalachian State University. All rights reserved.

Disclaimer | Privacy | Website manager: waterworthae (wycoffdn) | Website feedback