Religious studies

B.A. or B.S.
Online You can complete all or nearly all requirements of this program online.*
delivery
$384 Based on current tuition rates. No additional charge for nonresident students. Does not include course materials and associated fees and expenses.†
per credit
4
start terms/year

In the rich history of human life, belief systems have shaped societies and deepened our collective understanding of global cultures. As our world grows increasingly diverse, it’s more important than ever to have critical reasoning expertise and essential life skills to successfully navigate cultural complexities. Earning a religious studies bachelor’s degree online from Oregon State University will give you the academic insight and global awareness to thrive in a changing world.

This program centers on the academic study of religion with a focus on the comparative study of world religions and religious diversity as well as ethics, sexuality and violence. You’ll graduate with an understanding of the global impact religious traditions have made — and continue to make — in politics, aesthetics, social structure and culture.

Skills you’ll gain in OSU’s online religious studies degree program

As a student in Oregon State’s online religious studies degree program, you’ll gain the in-demand skills you need to stand out in the job market and level up your career. You’ll learn from expert OSU faculty who specialize in Buddhist, Hindu and Chinese religions in addition to Islam, Christianity, Judaism and religion in the United States.

  • Contemplative practice
  • Ethical reasoning
  • Comparative analysis
  • Textual criticism
  • Interdisciplinary analysis
  • Critical thinking
  • Interpersonal communication
View of Wat Ming Muang temple in Thailand with golden artwork in foreground
Best Online Bachelor's Programs 2025 - U.S. News & World Report

Program details

The interdisciplinary curriculum of the religious studies program combines a variety of related academic fields, including history, philosophy, anthropology, ethics, literature, philosophy, women’s studies and political science. You’ll be exposed to the foundational texts of world religions, critical scholarship and current theoretical debates.

The online religious studies program is offered by Oregon State’s College of Liberal Arts.

Degree requirements

A minimum of 180 quarter credits — at least 60 of which must be upper-division credits — are required to graduate with your religious studies degree, including:

The interior of a church with wooden pews, arched windows, a red carpet aisle and sunlight streaming toward the altar at the front.

Additional program features

Some degree requirements may be transferred from other institutions. Please note that a minimum of 45 credits of the last 75 credits in this degree program must be completed at Oregon State (online or on campus) to meet the academic residency requirement.

Previously earned credits must be reviewed upon admittance to OSU for appropriate articulation. Additional information about transferring credits is available through OSU’s Transfer Credit Central.

As an undergraduate degree-seeking student, you can apply to earn an honors degree online in your academic major. Earning this prestigious degree gives you the opportunity to collaborate with faculty on research, complete a comprehensive thesis experience and engage in co-curricular activities.

You can gain highly specialized skills that are in demand by employers — and do it with less of a time and financial commitment — when you earn a certificate or microcredential online with Oregon State. Choose from a large collection of short-form offerings that can help you upskill quickly.

Careers with a religious studies degree

The knowledge and cross-cultural skills you acquire in Oregon State’s online religious studies degree program will set you up for a successful career. You’ll graduate ready to make an impact in a variety of industries, and you’ll be prepared to pursue an advanced course of study in graduate school.

Potential careers include:

  • Educator
  • Humanitarian services worker
  • Journalist
  • Political scientist
  • Nonprofit director
  • Community outreach coordinator
  • Museum curator or archivist