Program: Religious Studies (BA) - American University

Apr 08, 2025

American University Catalog 2023-2024

Offered by the Department of Philosophy and Religion , College of Arts and Sciences .

Admission to the Program

Admission is through a formal declaration of major. The department counsels first-year and new transfer students.

University Requirements

120 credit hours with minimum 2.00 cumulative GPA (Undergraduate Academic Regulation 2 )
Completion of all requirements for a major (Undergraduate Academic Regulation 9 )

AU Core Requirements

Completion of AU Core foundation requirements (Undergraduate Academic Regulation 8.2-8.6 )
Completion of AU Core Habits of Mind requirements (Undergraduate Academic Regulation 8.7 )
Completion of AU Core integrative course requirements (Undergraduate Academic Regulation 8.8-8.11 )

For additional information, see AU Core Curriculum .

Major Requirements

39 credit hours with grades of C or better, including at least 18 credit hours at or above 300-level, and a maximum of 6 credit hours from PHIL coursework

Course Requirements

Foundation (6 credit hours)

Complete 6 credit hours from the following:

Upper-Level (6 credit hours)

Complete 6 credit hours from the following:

Concentration (18 credit hours)

Complete 18 credit hours from one of the following concentrations if not taken to fulfill Foundation or Upper-Level, with at least 9 credit hours at or above 300-level:

Note: A maximum of 6 credit hours from PHIL coursework may be counted toward major requirements.

Religion and Global Society

Religion, Culture, and Politics

Religious Ethics and the Body

Capstone (3 credit hours)

Complete 3 credit hours from the following if not taken to fulfill Concentration:

Electives (6 credit hours)

Complete 6 credit hours from the following if not taken to fulfill Foundation, Upper-Level, Concentration, or Capstone, or other courses approved by program director:

Note: A maximum of 6 credit hours from PHIL coursework may be counted toward major requirements.

Combined Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees

American University offers students the opportunity to earn both undergraduate and graduate degrees through its combined bachelor’s/master’s programs. See Admission to a Combined Bachelor’s / Master’s Program and Combined Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees for more information.