Find Schools offering Bachelor in Religion Degree Programs

• Career opportunities for those with a bachelor's in religion are across the board, including associate pastors, missionary work, and non-religious based careers.
• Prestigious graduate schools often look highly upon those applicants with a bachelor's in religion.
• Religion students can either choose to specialize in one religion, or study religion in a more general sense.

How does someone earn a bachelor’s degree in religion?

A bachelor’s degree in religion usually takes about four years to complete. Some students begin their path to a bachelor’s degree by, first, earning an associate’s degree and, then, transferring to a bachelor’s program. Going directly into a four year program or transferring are both fine options for earning a degree in religion. There are many different types of programs at the bachelor’s of religion level. Students of religion are usually able to either get a very strong background in one religion, or choose to study religion as a whole.

What career opportunities does a bachelor’s in religion open?

Religion majors don’t necessarily all end up working in a church. Many choose to take religion as their second major because law and medical schools look favorably on the skills attained in the study of religion. Others choose to go into careers in a variety of fields; the doors are wide open for religion majors who don’t necessarily want to work in a church or religious organization. Of course, a bachelor’s in religion can lead to a career as a full time ministry worker, or foreign missionary position. Most who take this route finish their bachelor’s and use it to launch into their master’s degree. Many professionals who choose to work in the religious realm feel a sense of accomplishment in their careers because they feel like they have an impact on their world.

How much money does someone with a bachelor’s in religion make?

Salaries for those with a bachelor’s in religion will vary greatly depending on the specific career field or ministry. An assistant pastor, or associate pastor makes between $12,000 and $63,000 a year. The area of opportunity for a bachelor's in religion is so large, though, that finding an average salary is tough.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of earning a bachelor’s degree in religion online?

The major advantage of online programs that offer opportunities to earn a bachelor's in religion is that they also offer the opportunity for students to work full time, while earning a degree. Most of these programs allow students to work independently, which works well for some. For others, however, online programs offer too much freedom. There are usually a predetermined list of assignments and due dates, so online learning requires a strong sense of self discipline to succeed. Also if graduate school is a goal, though it's completely on a case-by-case basis, some schools will not as readily accept students who earned their bachelor's degree online.

What are the leading schools offering programs in Bachelor in Religion?