Employers Value Religious Studies Majors
The Major in Religious Studies is designed to provide a rich grounding in the liberal arts and is particularly appropriate for those students considering careers in government, health, law, education, international business, social work, the ministry, or media. The major provides plentiful opportunities for students to work one-on-one with award-winning faculty through doing such things as writing an Honors thesis and conducting field research.
There are two required courses–RELS 3270 and RELS 3750–but the major allows for a great deal of flexibility. Students majoring in religious studies have the opportunity to take and have counted toward their major select courses in other departments/schools/institutes in the College of Arts and Sciences including anthropology, history, music and sociology. It is often appropriate to consider Religious Studies for a double major, and the major is designed to make double majoring easy.
Theology, sermon, and pastoral care are top skills for Religious Studies grads.
Religious Studies grads earn an average of $68K after 10 years in the industry.
Common job titles for Religious Studies grads include religious education director, youth ministry coordinator, and pastor.
30% of Religious Studies grads have an advanced degree.
Zeiders Enterprises, a human services company, is a top employer of Religious Studies grads.
Education is the top job function for Religious Studies grads from GSU.
Mental Health Practitioner is a top job title for GSU Religious Studies grads working at Emory.
80% of Religious Studies grads from GSU stay in GA.
$75K is the average salary for Religious Studies grads from GSU.
Crescent Pines Hospital, Emory Healthcare, and Chick-fil-a Corporate are top employers of Religious Studies grads from GSU.
Major Stories
RELIGIOUS STUDIES FACULTY HELP STUDENTS WRITE THEIR SUCCESS STORIES.
Hear what students majoring in Religious Studies have to say about the program.
Dr. David Bell explains the benefits of taking courses in Religious Studies at GSU.
What do Religious Studies Majors do?
- Religious Studies
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Hear what students majoring in Religious Studies have to say about the program.
- Faculty Spotlight David Bell
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Dr. David Bell explains the benefits of taking courses in Religious Studies at GSU.
- Major in a Minute
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What do Religious Studies Majors do?
Your Degree at Work
HERE ARE THE TOP FIVE EMPLOYMENT FIELDS OF GSU STUDENTS WITH A RELIGIOUS STUDIES DEGREE.
INDUSTRY
AVG. SALARY
AVG. YEARS OF EXPERIENCE
COMMON JOB TITLES
WHY HIRE RELIGIOUS STUDIES MAJORS FOR THIS FIELD? THEY'VE GOT SKILLS!
INDUSTRY
AVG. SALARY
AVG. YEARS OF EXPERIENCE
COMMON JOB TITLES
WHY HIRE RELIGIOUS STUDIES MAJORS FOR THIS FIELD? THEY'VE GOT SKILLS!
INDUSTRY
AVG. SALARY
AVG. YEARS OF EXPERIENCE
COMMON JOB TITLES
WHY HIRE RELIGIOUS STUDIES MAJORS FOR THIS FIELD? THEY'VE GOT SKILLS!
INDUSTRY
AVG. SALARY
AVG. YEARS OF EXPERIENCE
COMMON JOB TITLES
WHY HIRE RELIGIOUS STUDIES MAJORS FOR THIS FIELD? THEY'VE GOT SKILLS!
INDUSTRY
AVG. SALARY
AVG. YEARS OF EXPERIENCE
COMMON JOB TITLES
WHY HIRE RELIGIOUS STUDIES MAJORS FOR THIS FIELD? THEY'VE GOT SKILLS!
TAKE A LOOK AT THE CO-CURRICULAR PROGRAMING AVAILABLE TO RELIGIOUS STUDIES MAJORS.
Professionalism
Communication
Career/
Self Development
DO NOT DELETE
Equity/
Inclusion
Critical Thinking
Teamwork
Technology
Leadership
Your Career Starts Here
TOP EMPLOYERS OF GSU RELIGIOUS STUDIES GRADS AND AVERAGE SALARY
WHAT DOES A CAREER PATH LOOK LIKE FOR A RELIGIOUS STUDIES MAJOR?
Career paths are often full of twists and turns. They are rarely straight lines. Watch the following video tutorial to learn how to explore the career paths of GSU alumni who after graduating with a degree in this major pursued their interests and passions rather than a specific job title:
MARKETING COORDINATOR
*includes Religious Studies degrees
75%
75% of 65,719 marketing coordinators majored in fields other than Marketing. The chart above shows what they studied.
6,723
6,723 marketing coordinators majored in Social Sciences & Liberal Arts
(includes Religious Studies).
SALES MANAGER
*includes Religious Studies degrees
75%
More than 75% of 259,902 sales managers majored in fields other than Business. The chart above shows what they studied.
29,733
29,733 sales managers majored in Social Sciences & Liberal Arts
(includes Religious Studies).
PURCHASING MANAGER
*includes Religious Studies degrees
65%
Over 65% of 48,098 purchasing managers majored in fields other than Business. The chart above shows what they studied.
5,031
5,031 people working as purchasing managers majored in Social Sciences & Liberal Arts
(includes Religious Studies).
PhD Student - Indiana University, Bloomington; Managing Editor of American Religion Journal
“The Religious Studies program at GSU helped me become a more critical reader, thinker, writer, and researcher. It prepared me to engage in public conversations about religion, scholarly approaches in the field of religious studies and other academic disciplines, and teaching about religion in classrooms and other learning spaces."
Admissions Coordinator II - Office of Graduate Admissions, Georgia State University
"Even though I was already working at Georgia State before starting and finishing the program, the skills I've gained have translated perfectly into my professional life. My current job consists of regularly writing, communicating, and resolving conflicts with a diverse group of colleagues. The department's vision of diversity and inclusion has inspired me to practice that in my daily work life...
The class discussions I've participated in have reinforced my relatability and understanding of other people. It has made me more informed about real world issues affecting the students, staff, and faculty I communicate with daily. My current position allows me to inform students who are interested in studying religion at Georgia State. Now that I am currently enrolled in the graduate program, I'm more knowledgeable about the religious studies program. Since I work with prospective students daily, it's been incredibly exciting to see the population of people that come through. On numerous occasions, I've shared my experiences with these potential students and provided them with insider knowledge of what it's like to be a student through the program. Word of mouth from an alumna is one of the reasons I chose the program in the first place, and I am thrilled to be in a role where I can do the same. As I move through the graduate program over the next few years, I only expect to keep sharpening these skills. I'm also ecstatic to see what other skills I'll develop as I work towards accomplishing my academic and professional goals at Georgia State."
Immigration Paralegal - Vazquez & Servi, PC
“Throughout my religious studies journey at GSU I was able to learn a variety of skills such as cultural awareness and critical and analytical skills. Being aware of different cultural customs helps me better interact day to day with the community I work with.”
University Career Services
Center for the Advancement of Students and Alumni
Are you interested in pursuing a graduate degree? The CASA is a campus hub of faculty, staff, and students helping to make PhD programs, medical school, and law school accessible to all students with an interest and motivation to pursue these paths.
University Advisement Center
Want to know more about the course scheduling, program, and degree requirements for this and other majors? The UAC is here to assist you in charting your path.
Are you looking for more information?
Contact
College to Career
Office of the Senior Vice President for Student Success
Recruiters
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