Mar 29, 2024  
2023-2024 General Catalog 
    
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Religious Studies - BA, BS


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Department of History

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  • For more information about Religious Studies, see the Religious Studies website.
  • Following is a sample four-year plan. Please note that student-specific plans may differ.
  • Admitted students must meet with an academic advisor. Current students should also meet with an academic advisor and log on to Degree Works  to check student-specific program progress.

 

Program Director: Patrick Mason
Location: Main 321U
Phone: (435) 797-1291
FAX: (435) 797-3899
TTY: (435) 797-1290
E-mail: patrick.mason@usu.edu
www.religiousstudies.usu.edu 

College of CHaSS Advising Center: Carson Tatton
Location: MAIN 106
Phone: (435) 797-3883
E-mail: carson.tatton@usu.edu

Utah State University, 0107 Old Main Hill
Logan, UT 84322-0107
www.chassadvising.usu.edu

Degrees offered: Bachelor of Science (BS), Bachelor of Arts (BA)

 

Minimum GPA for Admission: 2.5, USU; 2.0, Career

Minimum GPA for Graduation: 2.5, Major; 2.0, Cumulative

Minimum Grade Accepted: C in all major requirements

Students must complete at least 36 credits in interdisciplinary coursework. A grade of C or better must be earned in all classes used for the major. Major requirements may not be taken for a pass/fail grade.

Bachelor of Science Degree

Students desiring a (BS) Bachelor of Science degree must complete all of the requirements listed in the sample four-year plan below.

Bachelor of Arts Degree

Students desiring a (BA) Bachelor of Arts degree must complete the language proficiency requirements in one of the following ways:

  • Demonstration of proficiency in one foreign language by successful completion of one course at the 2020-level or higher (or its equivalent)  OR
  • Demonstration of proficiency in American Sign Language by successful completion of American Sign Language IV (COMD 4920 ) and Socio-Cultural Aspects of Deafness (COMD 4780 ), and bypassing an exit interview  OR
  • Demonstration of proficiency in two foreign languages by successful completion of the 1020 course level in one language and the 2010 course level in the second language (or its equivalent) OR
  • Completion of an upper-division (3000-level or higher) foreign language grammar or literature course requiring the 2020 course level (or its equivalent) as a prerequisite. Conversation courses cannot be considered for satisfying this requirement.

For nonnative English-speaking students only, the following options are available:

  • Successful completion of the Intensive English Language Institute (IELI) program for international students  OR
  • TOEFL, Michigan, or IELI placement scores high enough to meet the University admission criteria.

Minimum University Requirements

Total Credits 120

 

Grade Point Average (most majors require higher GPA)

2.00 GPA
Credits of C- or better 100 Credits of upper-division courses (#3000 or above) 40
Total USU Credits 30 Upper-division USU Credits 20
USU Credits within the Major 10 Credits in Minor (if required) 12
Credits in Major see below Credits in American Institutions 3
General Education Requirements     see link University Studies Depth Requirements     see link
NOTES: The highest math requirement for this degree is the Quantitative Literacy (QL) and Quantitative Intensive (QI) of the student’s choice.

 

Admissions Requirements for this Program

First Year Students Admitted to USU in Good Standing

 

Transfer students from other institutions or other programs at USU 2.5 GPA

First Year

 Fall Semester

Credits

General Education Info and Notes:

 

Spring Semester

Credits

General Education Info and Notes:

ENGL 1010: Introduction to Writing: Academic Prose (CL1)   3     RELS Traditions Course (1 of 4) 3  
RELS 1010: Introduction to Religious Studies (BHU)   3     Breadth Creative Arts (BCA)    3  
Quantitative Literacy (QL) Course 3  or 5  or 3  or 4   STAT 1040 , STAT 1045 , MATH 1030 , or MATH 1050  are recommended Breadth Life Sciences (BLS)   3  
Breadth Social Sciences (BSS)   3   Elective Course 3  
Elective Course   3   Integrated Studies Breadth Course 3  
Total Credits: 15-17   Total Credits: 15  

Comments

Comments

Second Year

 Fall Semester

Credits

General Education Info and Notes:

   

Credits

General Education Info and Notes:

ENGL 2010: Intermediate Writing: Research Writing in a Persuasive Mode (CL2)   3     RELS Traditions Course (3 of 4) 3  
RELS Traditions Course (2 of 4) 3   Language or BS Requirement 3-4  
Breadth Physical Sciences (BPS)    3   Breadth American Institutions (BAI)   3  
Language or BS Requirement 3-4   Religious Studies Elective Course  3  
Elective Course 3   Elective Course 3  
Total Credits: 15-16   Total Credits: 15-16  

Comments

Comments

Third Year

 Fall Semester

Credits

General Education Info and Notes:

 

Spring Semester

Credits

General Education Info and Notes:

RELS 3990: Theory and Method in Religious Studies (CI)   3     RELS Traditions Course (4 of 4) 3  
RELS Elective Course 3   RELS Elective Course 3  
Language or BS Requirement 3-4   Language or BS Requirement 3-4   
Depth Social Sciences (DSS)   3   Depth Life and Physical Sciences (DSC)   3  
Communications Intensive (CI)   3   Quantitative Intensive (QI)   3  
Total Credits: 15-16   Total Credits: 15-16  

Comments

By the end of the junior year, students should have identified a Religious Studies faculty member to work with on the capstone.

Comments

 

Fourth Year

 Fall Semester

Credits

General Education Info and Notes:

 

Spring Semester

Credits

General Education Info and Notes:

BS Requirement Course 3   RELS 4990: Undergraduate Research Capstone   3    
RELS Elective Course 3   RELS Elective Course 3  
Communications Intensive (CI)   3   Elective Course 3  
Elective Course 3   Elective Course 3  
Elective Course 3   Elective Course 3  
Total Credits: 15   Total Credits: 15  

Comments

Comments

 

Required Courses in Major (36 credits)


To earn the BS or BA in Religious Studies, students must successfully complete 36 credits (12 courses), as follows:

Core Courses (9 credits)


Students must take all three core Religious Studies courses, preferably in sequence:

Traditions Courses (12 credits)


Students must take courses focusing on at least four different religious traditions, with at least one course from both of the following groups:

Group A


Group B


Religious Studies Elective Courses (15 credits)


Students may choose any of the courses listed above (not already taken), or any of the courses listed below. Courses are subject to change, and students should consult with their academic advisor when selecting courses.

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