Requirements for a B.A. in Religion

The Bachelor of Arts degree in religion allows flexibility and presumes that you will take advantage of individual advising in designing your major program. The major requires 32 semester hours with 12 hours in upper division courses and a minimum of four hours in each of the three main areas of study:

1. Biblical Studies
2. Christian Thought, History, and Experience
3. Comparative and Integrative Studies

In addition, students participate in Religion 301: Research in Religion and Religion 499: Capstone Research Seminar. In the first course, the prerequisite to the capstone, majors are introduced to the context, methods and craft of research in the field of religion and theology. In the second course, the capstone participants work with the entire department to shape a substantial intellectual project and present their work publicly. Transfer students must take at least 20 hours at PLU. You will be encouraged to double major in religion and another field of study.

Requirements for a Minor in Religion

There are two options:

1. The religion minor requires 16 semester hours, with no more than eight hours in one of the three main areas of study mentioned above. Transfer minors under this option must take at least eight hours at PLU.
2. The religion minor taken under the Teacher Education option is intended primarily for parochial school teachers enrolled in the School of Education. This minor requires 24 semester hours, with at least four hours in each of the three lines. Transfer minors under this option normally take 16 hours in residence. Courses taken to satisfy the General University Requirement in religion (eight hours) may be applied toward either minor option.

Courses in Religion

To see a complete, and updated, listing of courses from the Department of Religion, please consult the religion section of the PLU Course Catalog (now available online here). A print version is also available. Please contact the Department of Religion or the Registrar's Office to obtain one.

 If you would like to see times, locations, and instructors for specific courses, please consult our interactive, online Course Schedule. A print version is also available. Please contact the Department of Religion or the Registrar's Office to obtain one.