Religious Studies, Minor
Explore religious traditions around the world while examining human interactions within and among those traditions. The critical thinking skills and understanding of various cultures that you develop will enrich any degree you're pursuing.
Quick facts
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Credits
Additional facts
Accreditation
Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Minor description
Religious Studies minor description
The minor program in religious studies engages you in a comparative exploration of religions and cultures. You develop a deeper understanding of human nature, religious traditions and the roles that religion plays in a pluralistic and globalizing world.
You may pursue the minor in religious studies with regional, national, hemispheric, global and a variety of thematic emphases.
Why earn a religious studies minor at ASU?
When you earn a religious studies minor at ASU, you become better equipped at understanding the world around you and communicating with people from different cultures and backgrounds. This minor program provides vital skills in communication, problem solving, empathy and critical thinking, which can strengthen any major you may be pursuing.
Additionally, faculty have been awarded fellowships and grants from organizations including the American Council of Learned Societies and the National Endowment for the Humanities, and have served as fellows at the National Humanities Center, amongst other accolades.
Courses
This undergraduate minor includes courses focused on a specialized topic, so you can advance your skills for further professional opportunities. Explore all courses below:
2026-2027 Catalog Year
The minor requires 15 credit hours. A "C" minimum is required for all courses in the minor, although students must maintain a 3.00 GPA in the post-baccalaureate certificate program.
| Requirement | Minimum grade | Credit hours |
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The minor in religious studies consists of 15 credit hours, at least nine of which must be completed at the upper-division level. At least six upper-division hours must be in courses offered by The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. When selecting courses, the college offering the course can be identified by viewing the course details in Class Search. All courses must be passed with a grade of "C" (2.00 on a 4.00 scale) or higher. |
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REL 101 Religion, Culture and Public Life
(HUAD)
3 credit hours
Minimum
grade:C
|
C | 3 |
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Upper Division
REL Elective
9 credit hours
Minimum
grade:C
|
C | 9 |
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REL Elective
3 credit hours
Minimum
grade:C
|
C | 3 |
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Prerequisite courses may be needed in order to complete the requirements of this minor.
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Not all REL courses are available every term or available in both on-campus and online formats. Students should consult the class schedule prior to each term to confirm course availability.
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Enrollment requirements
GPA Requirement: None
Incompatible Majors: BA in religious studies; BA in religious studies (religion, culture and public life); BA in religious studies (religion, politics and global affairs)
Other Enrollment Requirements: None
Current ASU undergraduate students may pursue a minor and have it recognized on their ASU transcript at graduation. Minor requirements appear on the degree audit once the minor is added. Certain major and minor combinations may be deemed inappropriate by the college or department of either the major program or the minor. Courses taken for the minor may not count toward both the major and minor.
Here are the admission and application details
Paying for college
Use our calculator to estimate your full-time or part-time tuition fees for this program prior to any financial aid. Keep in mind that most of our students recieve financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs.
Get an estimateCareer opportunities
Careers this religious studies minor prepares you for
Minor programs enable students to develop additional competencies that complement the marketable knowledge and skills they acquire in their majors. A minor in religious studies is useful for those who intend to pursue careers in fields such as education, law or journalism.
Contact information
Use the contact information below to get in touch if you're a current student or have general questions.
Historical, Philosophical & Religious Studies, Sch
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COOR 4591
SHPRSadvising@asu.edu
480-965-8364
Frequently asked questions about degree programs
Accelerated programs allow students the opportunity to expedite the completion of their degree.
Accelerated master's
These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).
Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master's during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
Concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests, earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor.
Joint programs, or jointly conferred degrees, are offered by more than one college and provide opportunities for students to take advantage of the academic strengths of two academic units. Upon graduation, students are awarded one degree and one diploma conferred by two colleges.
ASU adds new programs to Degree Search frequently. Come back often and look for the "New Programs" option.
ASU Online offers programs in an entirely online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. See https://asuonline.asu.edu/ for more information.
