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A major in Religious Studies can prepare you for a career in:
  • Business (e.g., Human Resources)
  • Counseling
  • Education
  • Foreign service (i.e., diplomatic corps)
  • Health care (e.g., chaplaincy)
  • Journalism and broadcasting
  • Law
  • Law enforcement
  • Military
  • Public administration, politics
  • Publishing
  • Social work

Going to graduate school?

In what field?

  • Religious Studies (M.A. or Ph.D.)
  • Theology (M.A. or Ph.D.)
  • Religious vocational training (seminary) (M.Div., M.R.E., M.T.S., D. Min.)
  • Other liberal arts (probable Ph.D. program)
    • Anthropology
    • Archaeology
    • English (literature)
    • History
    • Philosophy
    • Psychology
    • Sociology

Professional schools (probable Masters degree program):

  • Business
  • Counseling (can be done in some seminaries as "pastoral psychology")
  • Education (primary)
  • International Relations, Public Administration, or Political Science
  • Journalism
  • Law
  • Social Work

Which graduate school?

Depends on geographic preferences (family situation), desired program type and specialty area, finances, admission prospects.

Not ready for more school? Entering the job market.


Some general considerations:  

Humanities degrees (e.g., English, History, Philosophy, Religious Studies) are not primarily vocational training and so they do not launch one on an obvious, immediate career path.  They generally require additional advanced degrees or combination with professional training.  However, they are excellent programs for developing the intellectual foundation and scholarly skills for success in many life endeavors.

Know your strengths.  In addition to knowledge about religion, Religious Studies students develop certain skills and understandings that are translatable to many contexts. 


Skills:

  • critical thinking
  • close reading of texts
  • writing
  • oral presentation
  • research
  • observation and description

Understandings of:

  • symbol systems
  • social systems
  • ethical analysis
  • multiculturalism (empathic grasp of human commonalities and conflicts)

I want a career in a faith community (church, etc.).  How do I get there?


Ordained?

      Go to seminary for an M.Div.  But which seminary?  See “which graduate school?” considerations above.

Nonordained?

      What type of work do you envision?  Parish management?  Music ministry?   Counseling?  Religious education? 

      Seminary still a common path (see “religious vocational training” above). 
 

I just don't know.  What can I do while I figure things out?

  • A Fulbright or some other study-abroad scholarship 
  • Teaching Fulbright 
  • Americorps
  • Peace Corps
  • Teach for America, World Teach
  • Other not-for-profit, nongovernmental organizations (“NGOs” - many are church-related, e.g., Lutheran Volunteer Corps.  A great way to gain experience.)


What can I do now, during my Nazareth College program, to enhance my career options?  Some possibilities:

  • Complete a second major. 
  • Complete a minor. 
  • Do Inclusive Education Certification. 
  • Develop strong foreign language skills.