The B.A. degree in religious studies is appropriate for a general liberal arts education and for preprofessional training leading to graduate degrees in religious studies, theology, or other areas of the humanities. Departmental courses are offered in four areas: philosophical studies of religious ideas and values, historical studies of religious movements and institutions, scientific studies of religious beliefs and behavior, and textual studies of religious traditions and scriptures. A well-balanced program of undergraduate study includes courses from each of these four areas. Students planning to undertake graduate studies are strongly encouraged to take the major with departmental distinction and to complete 12 term hours in either French or German and other relevant foreign language preparation as early as possible.
The requirements for religious studies majors and minors who enter SMU in the Fall 2020 and subsequent semesters will be slightly different from the requirements familiar to students already enrolled at SMU.
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