Program Details
Program Details

Program Details

B.A. in Religious Studies

Bachelor of Arts
Ferrum College

Students majoring in Religious Studies explore the traditions, stories, rituals, and structures of religious communities. They analyze the beliefs and values of different religious traditions, develop a critical sensitivity to both Christian and non-Christian religions, and learn to read ancient and modern texts carefully. A Religious Studies major serves as excellent preparation for a number of careers and graduate programs because of the emphasis in reading, writing, analyzing, and speaking.


Program Overview & Guidance
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Program Web Page
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External Link
Delivery Mode
In-Person
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Delivery Mode
Online
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Delivery Mode
Hybrid
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Program Guidance Element What You Need to Know
Considerations for Selecting Degree
Considerations When Selecting Courses

  • Create a schedule for all required courses, pay attention to prerequisites and when courses are offered, complete your first math and English courses in your first year
  • Connect with an advisor at your community college and Ferrum College within your first year via College Connect
Program Requirements Beyond Specific Courses
Doing More With Your Degree
Program Successes & Highlights
Program Credit Requirements
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Please look above to see if a Transfer Guide is available for this program. lf you are a current Virginia Community College student or are planning to start at a Virginia Community College before transferring to this institution and program, please follow the Transfer Guide to plan your courses at the community college.

The table below provides the requirements to complete this program if you are not following a Transfer Guide. If you have an account and have created a Portfolio, the table includes the "Applied Credits" column. This column shows how the credits you earned based on the experiences you entered may be applied to satisfy these requirements. You can find schools where you can take courses that will transfer and apply to this degree using the Where Can I Find An Equivalent Course feature in the Transfer Tools menu.

The program map provided below is an estimate based on courses identified as a result of reviewing your portfolio and the requirements for the selected program.

A formal determination of credits awarded for your prior learning and their applicability to the degree requirements can only be made by the institution. The formal determination and resulting map may reflect higher or lower number of credits to be completed to achieve this program.
Requirements
Required Credits
B.A. in Religious Studies
120
Religious Studies
120
This requires a minimum GPA of 2
AND
Transfer credits will be evaluated, and as applicable, up to 61 credits may be applied to this program.
General Education Requirements
30
Common Competencies
21
Requirement Notes
Requirement Notes:
The General Education Curriculum rests on a foundation of four "Common Competencies": Written Communication (WC), Quantitative Reasoning (QR), Global and Social Responsibility (GSR), and Oral Communication (OC). All students are required to take three (3) credits in each of these four competency areas as well as ENG-112. Additionally, all entering students with less than 24 credits are required to fulfill six (6) credits of Professional Development. This includes FER-100 (or HON-100), FER-200 and FER-202. Those with more than 24 credits are not required to take GWS-101. Students transferring in with an Associate's degree meet the Professional Development requirements.
Written Communication
6
Earn 6 credits: Complete the following
Earn 6 credits: Use the following rules
Complete courses from the following Category:
AND
Complete courses from the following Course:
Quantitative Reasoning
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Category:
Global and Social Responsibility
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Category:
Oral Communication
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Category:
Professional Development
2
Earn 2 credits by completing courses from the following Course list:
Discipline Competencies
9
Requirement Notes
Requirement Notes:
Students select one course (3 or 4 credits) from each of the following categories: the humanities, history and fine arts (HFA), the social and behavioral sciences (SBS), and the natural sciences and mathematics (NSM). Courses required in a student's major may not be used to meet this requirement.
Humanities, History & Fine Arts
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Category:
Social & Behavioral Sciences
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Category:
Natural Science & Mathematics
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Category:
Major Requirements
40
Choose 3 courses Religion & Literature
9
Earn 9 credits by completing courses from the following Course list:
Choose 3 courses Religion & History
9
Earn 9 credits by completing courses from the following Course list:
Choose 3 courses Religion & Culture
9
Earn 9 credits by completing courses from the following Course list:
Choose minimum 1 credit from Capstone or Internship courses
6
Earn 6 credits by completing courses from the following Course list:
Religious Studies - Additional PHI or REL courses
12
Requirement Notes
Requirement Notes:
Complete an additional 12 credits of PHI or REL courses.
General Electives
50
Requirement Notes
Requirement Notes:
Take courses to reach 120 credits for graduation.
Earn 50 credits by completing any available course
Applicable Admissions Agreements
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There are no Applicable Admission Agreements for the Program.

What If I Have An Associate Degree Or Credit For Prior Learning?
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Transfer Guidance Element What You Need to Know
Associate Transfer Degree Completion Completion of an Associate of Arts, Associate of Science, or Associate of Arts and Sciences degree from an accredited instution guarantees completion of our general education curriculum and consideration for the Ferrum Promise, where completion of an approved learning contract results in attainment of the Bachelor's degree within four semesters of admission.

Completion of Associate Degree Concurrent with High School Dual enrollment credits are evaluated based on the credentials of the institution certifying the credit.
Credit for Prior Learning We accept AP, IB, and CLEP results for college credit if the score earned meets college expectations. Enter your test into the portal to see if your scores will earn credit.
Did You Know That...
  • Completing your Associate transfer degree post-high school satisfies all lower division general education requirements and increases the chance of completing your bachelor's degree?
  • Exceeding 3 years or 90 credits at your community college means you may have exhausted your financial aid at that college and have limited your future financial aid at: Ferrum College
College Level Information
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Transfer Center
Visit our transfer site for more information
External Link
Transfer Admission Application
Transfer Students - Apply Here
External Link
Transfer Student Aid
Financial Aid for Transfer Students
External Link
Number of Transfer Students
140
College Fit Guidance What You Need to Know
Is This College Right For Me? We are a small college in a rural setting. Our students attend classes Monday through Friday between 8am and 4pm, with a protected window of time in late afternoon for athletic practices. Over 90% of our student body resides on campus, and over half our student body is comprised of NCAA Division III intercollegiate athletes. As a Ferrum College student, prepare to be connected across campus and supported in every aspect of your life here as a part of our family.
Transfer Student Catalog Year Catalog year determined by first semester of attendance
First Year Student Catalog Year Catalog year determined by first semester of attendance
Applying for Guaranteed Admissions Contact Ferrum College admissions at any stage of your VCCS journey, and we will work with you!
Where Can This Degree Transfer
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This section displays degrees most closely related to this program and to which you may be able to transfer. So, you can use this list to find the next degree you can complete in your major. Please click the degree name to visit that program page.

Institution Title Degree Award Name Award Level Delivery Mode
Eastern Mennonite UniversityBachelor of Arts Theology & ReligionBachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
Hollins UniversityBA in Religious StudiesBachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
Roanoke CollegeBachelor of Arts in Religious StudiesBachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
Virginia Wesleyan UniversityBachelor of Arts in Religious StudiesBachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
George Mason UniversityReligious Studies, BABachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
William & MaryReligious Studies - Bachelor of ArtsBachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
Shenandoah UniversityBachelor of Arts ReligionBachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
Virginia Commonwealth UniversityReligious Studies, Bachelor of ArtsBachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
Emory & Henry UniversityPsychology (BS)BachelorBachelor of Science4-YearIn-Person
Randolph-Macon CollegeReligious Studies (BA)BachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
Careers Where This Degree Applies
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O*Net Code Name Description Parent
25-1126.00Philosophy and Religion Teachers, PostsecondaryTeach courses in philosophy, religion, and theology. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.Educational Instruction and Library Occupations
Cost To Complete
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This section provides you with a very high-level estimate of your costs and is purely intended as a guide. You should consult the institution via College Connect to get a more detailed estimate based on the totality of your circumstances. The selections below are based on information gathered from your Profile and the estimated costs are calculated based on the 120 credits remaining to be completed

Please select the "Cumulative Months of Service" that determine your Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits.
Estimated Cost for the B.A. in Religious Studies at Ferrum College
These costs are based on an estimated 8 semesters or 4 years remaining to complete this degree (assuming a full-time load of 16 hours per semester)
Category Cost Basis Cost (To You) Estimated Benefits Net Cost Notes
Tuition $13,700 Per Semester $109,600 $0 $109,600 1-6 credits $553/cr, 7-11 credits $770/cr
Fees
Room & Board $6,615 Per Semester $52,920 0 $52,920 Estimated. Varies per housing option $6,315 - $7,435.
*Please note that the above estimated costs do not include all Federal, State or other financial aid, grants, scholarships, etc. for which you may qualify. All such aid could substantially reduce these costs.
Tuition & Fee Notes:
  • Instructional Fees
    • Instructional Fees range from $30/course to $755/credit depending on discipline
  • Additional Fees
    • Student Service Fee $120, Technology Fee $230, Health Fee $210, Car Registration $50, Graduation Fee $125
Other Financial Aid to Pay for College:
  • You may be eligible for additional financial aid from Federal, State, and Local sources. Military education benefits are not considered in determining eligibility for federal financial aid. Everyone is therefore encouraged to apply for federal financial aid by submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), because many will qualify for additional educational funds like Pell Grants, worth over $5,500/yr.