Earn your BA in Religious Studies

The Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies requires 30 semester hours of coursework, including at least 15 semester hours in core courses. Students select from at least three of the five core areas:

  • Social Justice, Equity, Inclusion, and Religion
  • Religion in History
  • Religion in Global Context
  • Religion, Values, and Culture
  • Special Topics and Events. 

The remaining 15 semester hours may be taken from any core area or any religious studies course (prefix RELS). Of the 30 semester hours, at least two courses (6 semester hours) must be numbered 3000 or above.

Students must maintain a 2.00 grade-point average (GPA) in all courses for the major. A minimum of 15 semester hours for the major must be earned at the University of Iowa. Students must complete the college's graduation requirements, which include at least 120 semester hours of coursework and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences General Education CLAS Core.

Courses for the major may not be taken pass/nonpass.

"I had a great experience with the Department of Religious Studies at Iowa. It helped me discern what I wanted to do as a career and the professors were excellent."

- Marija Pritchard, BA 2019

Required coursework

The Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies requires 30 semester hours of coursework, including at least 15 semester hours in core courses.

Students select from at least three of the five core areas.

Core areas include:

  • Social Justice, Equity, Inclusion, and Religion 
  • Religion in History 
  • Religion in Global Context 
  • Religion, Values, and Culture 
  • Special Topics and Current Events

Five courses from any core area listed previously or the list of elective courses (15 semester hours)

Required coursework

For the list of courses that fulfill the previous requirements, see the religious studies requirements in the general catalog.

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Current course list

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