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Center for Curriculum and Transfer Articulation
Associate in Arts, Emphasis in Religious Studies
Major: 8138
Effective Term: 2022 Fall   
Award Type: AA

CIP Code: 38.0201
 Program Availability: CG   EM   GC   GW   MC   PC   PV   RS   SC   SM  
Instructional Council: Religious Studies
Total Credits: 60-64
GPA: 2.00
SOC Code: Upon completion of a bachelor`s degree, students may pursue a career as:
21-1093.00 Social and Human Service Assistants
21-2011.00 Clergy
21-2021.00 Directors, Religious Activities and Education
25-4013.00 Museum Technicians and Conservators
27-3023.00 News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists
27-3043.05 Poets, Lyricists, and Creative Writers
39-4021.00 Funeral Attendants
39-7011.00 Tour Guides and Escorts

Upon completion of a graduate degree, students may pursue a career as:
11-9151.00 Social and Community Service Managers
25-1126.00 Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary
25-1062.00 Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary


Description: The Associate in Arts (AA), Emphasis in Religious Studies contains the first two years of a four-year curriculum for students who wish to specialize in religious studies. Students will learn about theology and world religions, as well as the historical significance and sociocultural contexts of people`s faiths. With a bachelor`s degree, students may pursue positions including human and social services assistant, director of religious or educational programs, museum technician, funeral attendant, tour guide, or clergy. With a graduate degree, students may pursue positions such as reporter, correspondent, social and community service manager, teacher, or college professors in areas such as religious studies or cultural studies.

Program Learning Outcomes
1. Compare and contrast multiple religious traditions and the phenomena of religion across and within cultures. (REL100, REL151, REL205, REL207, REL225, REL270, (COM), (CRE), [FYC], [SB])
2. Apply a range of methodological and theoretical approaches to religious phenomena. (REL100, AIS213/REL203, HUM245, PHI/REL244, REL151, REL205, REL207, REL225, REL270, (COM), (CRE), [CS], [FYC], [MA], [SB], [SG], [SQ])
3. Examine religious phenomena, including issues of ethical and social responsibility, from a perspective of critical inquiry and analysis of both the other and the self. (REL100, AIS213/REL203, HUM245, PHI/REL244, REL151, REL205, REL206, REL207, REL225, REL270, (COM), (CRE), [FYC], [SB], [SG], [SQ])
4. Apply theoretical knowledge of religious phenomena to lived, practical contexts, both historical and current. (REL100, AIS213/REL203, HUM245, PHI/REL244, REL151, REL205, REL206, REL207, REL225, REL270, (COM), [FYC], [SB], [SG], [SQ])
5. Employ knowledge of religious phenomena and the skills of religious studies in the solving of complex problems, including those raised in the personal and social engagement of issues of life, death, love, sex, violence, suffering, and meaning. (REL100, AIS213/REL203, HUM245, PHI/REL244, REL151, REL205, REL206, REL207, REL225, REL270, (COM), [FYC], [SB], [SG], [SQ])
6. Apply relevant knowledge, skills, and habits of mind to seek career opportunities in the field. (FYE101, FYE103)
Required Courses
FYE101 Introduction to College, Career and Personal Success (1) OR
FYE103 Exploration of College, Career and Personal Success (3) 1-3

REL100 World Religions 3

Foreign Language Credits: 0-20
Completion of a language course at the intermediate level (202 or equivalent), including American Sign Language IV with a C or better OR demonstrating proficiency through this level as indicated by assessment.
ARB+++ Any ARB Arabic course(s)
ASL+++ Any ASL American Sign Language course(s)
CHI+++ Any CHI Chinese course(s)
FRE+++ Any FRE French course(s)
GER+++ Any GER German course(s)
ITA+++ Any ITA Italian course(s)
JPN+++ Any JPN Japanese course(s)
SPA+++ Any SPA Spanish course(s) 0-20
 Credits: 4-26

+ indicates course has prerequisites and/or corequisites.
++ indicates that any suffixed course may be selected.
MCCCD Governing Board Approval Date: June 28, 2022

All information published is subject to change without notice. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information presented, but based on the dynamic nature of the curricular process, course and program information is subject to change in order to reflect the most current information available.