Religious studies

PROGRAM INFORMATION
Faculty: Humanities and Social Sciences Campus: St. John's
Department: Religious Studies Honours available: Yes
Length: Four years
Prospective students: Fill out our student inquiry form to receive updates from Memorial.
Department website University Calendar


Religious studies is the scientific exploration of religion. It neither upholds a particular set of religious beliefs, nor seeks to debunk any of them. Rather it strives to understand the many and varied ways people in the past and present express themselves in a religious manner. In our program you can examine specific religious traditions like Buddhism, Confucianism, Christianity, Daoism, Hinduism, Islam and Judaism. You can also study a wide range of religious behaviour as expressed in popular culture, arts, and ritual as well as how religion manifests in connection with science, politics, law, and contemporary ethical issues.

Religious studies at Memorial

Memorial is home to one of the largest religious studies department in Atlantic Canada. The wide range of courses offered includes opportunities for language study (in Mandarin, Biblical Hebrew and Sanskrit), as well as the study of religion and politics, religion and popular culture, religion and gender, ethics, ritual and sacred narrative, and religion and art.

Back to top ↑


Admission requirements to degree

Applications are considered on a rolling basis. You are encouraged to apply by:

IntakeApplication deadline
Fall (September) semester March 1
Winter (January) semester Oct. 1
Spring (May) semester Feb. 1

You may apply for admission into the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences by indicating bachelor of arts as your program choice on the undergraduate application for admission. Direct entry into the faculty is subject to your meeting the general admission requirements for Memorial University.

You may choose religious studies as your major at the time of application or you can explore your options and declare a major in a later semester by emailing registrar@mun.ca to make your choice official.

Apply to Memorial button

Back to top ↑


Your first year

Have a look at a sample schedule of 10 courses you may need to take in your first year of the religious studies program.

This is a sample only. Meet with an academic advisor to create a plan that aligns with your specific needs and goals.

FALL SEMESTERWINTER SEMESTER
English 1090
(critical reading and writing (CRW) course)
Religious Studies 1001
(CRW course)
first required language study (LS) course1 second required LS course1
first required quantitative reasoning (QR) course second required QR course 
Religious Studies 1000 Religious Studies 1000 or 2000-level course
minor program course or elective
(breadth of knowledge course encouraged)
minor program course or elective
(breadth of knowledge course encouraged)
  1. Both LS courses must be in the same language. If your first language is not English and you do not meet the standards for entry into regular first-year English courses you may use English 1020 and 1021 to fulfill this requirement. Such students are permitted to complete up to an additional six credit hours in English CRW courses at the 1000 level in order to fulfill the CRW requirement.
Future course offerings: The Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences posts anticipated future course offerings to help you plan your degree.

Further assistance

For assistance with course selection, contact the Academic Advising Centre.

For additional program information, visit the Department of Religious Studies or contact the undergraduate program director.

Back to top ↑


Sample courses and degree map

Religious studies degree map

Degree maps are navigational tools, designed to help you make the right choices throughout your bachelor of arts degree. They cover information pertaining to your studies, provide study tips, career guidance, suggestions for involvement, advice on go abroad activities and on your well being.

Degree maps are maintained by the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences. Any questions related to your major's degree map should be directed to the associated academic unit.

Back to top ↑


Career opportunities

A religious studies degree is good preparation for any career that includes working with people and their cultures. A few examples:

  • international relations
  • education
  • journalism
  • government
  • legal profession
  • refugee/immigration support

Note: some of these careers may call for supplementary education or preparation in the form of graduate studies, experiential learning or professional courses and exams.