Religious Studies
The religious studies major seeks to provide students with resources for an appreciation and analysis of religion; for the investigation of sources, historical development and contemporary practices of religious faith; and for a sympathetic appreciation of the beliefs of others.
Like all liberal arts disciplines, it offers sound preparation for entry into a variety of graduate school programs. It teaches skills in communication, critical thinking, analysis and problem solving which are applicable to entry-level positions not only in professions requiring a theological background, but in education, communications, social services, business, health care and many other fields as well.
OCCUPATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
Campus minister
Chaplaincy
Church liturgist
Diocesan administrator
Hospital chaplain
Missionary
Parish administrator
Religious coordinator for a nursing home
Writer/editor for religious publications
Youth minister
*Positions may require additional education and/or training.
EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK
Information on employment outlook for the occupations listed above may be found at America’s Career InfoNet, http://www.acinet.org, the Occupational Information Network, http://online.onetcenter.org, or the Occupational Outlook Handbook, http://www.bls.gov/oco.
POTENTIAL EMPLOYERS
Churches
Colleges and universities
Diocesan chancery
Hospices
Hospitals
Nursing homes
Parishes
Prisons
Religious education programs
Religious publishing houses
Retreat centers
Social service agencies
SOURCES FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Books (* denotes books available in the Career Center Library)
- *Eberts, Marjorie & Gisler, Margaret. Careers for Good Samaritans and Other Humanitarian Types, Lincolnwood,
IL: VGM Career Horizons, 1998.
- *Encyclopedia of Careers and Vocational Guidance, Vol. 4, Chicago, IL: Ferguson Publishing Co., 2000.
- Nelson, John Oliver. Opportunities in Religious Service Careers, Lincolnwood, IL: VGM Career Books, 2004.
Professional Associations
National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry, 415 Michigan Avenue, NE, Suite 40, Washington, DC 20017-4502, www.nfcym.org.
Web sites
Occupational Information Network, O*Net Online, http://online.onetcenter.org/link/summary/21-2011.00.