Contrary to popular belief, a degree in Philosophy and Religious Studies prepares students for much more than working as a priest, rabbi, or other religious figure. This major provides you with a strong understanding of the beliefs and morals that shape civilizations.
As you work towards your degree in Philosophy and Religious Studies, you will take classes in theology, sociology, psychology, world religions, literature, and anthropology, which will improve your critical thinking skills and your understanding of the values held throughout the world. This major will improve your writing and communication skills and prepare you for a career in a variety of fields and industries.
In 2020-2021, philosophy and religious studies was the 320th most popular major nationwide with 184 degrees awarded. This represents a 3.3% increase in philosophy and religion degrees awarded over the prior year's total of 178.
Our 2023 Best General Philosophy & Religious Studies Schools ranking analyzes 1 of these schools to determine the best overall colleges for philosophy and religious studies students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of philosophy and religion programs later in this article.
A degree in Philosophy and Religious studies will prepare you for a career in numerous fields including law, politics, management, or religious organizations. Since it covers a variety of subjects and allows you to get a deeper understanding of the beliefs and values of the world, you will develop strong critical thinking and writing skills. Those who decide to pursue a degree in this field often have strong interpersonal skills.
Internships or summer jobs are recommended for a career in this field. These will allow you to gain hands-on experience and learn more about your desired career in a real-life situation as opposed to a classroom.
Depending on the type of career you go into, you may need to earn an advanced degree. It is recommended to look into to your desired career path to ensure you are fulfilling all requirements.
philosophy and religious studies degree applicants generally need have finished high school or their GED. Many schools may also have GPA and SAT/ACT score minimums that must be met. In addition to these basic philosophy and religious studies program qualifications, to serve in some philosophy and religion careers, special certification may be required outside of your degree.
There are various different levels of philosophy and religion degrees. General Philosophy & Religious Studies programs offered by schools range from a to a , which is the highest philosophy and religion degree you can get. How long it takes to complete some common philosophy and religion degree levels is shown below.
Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
---|---|---|
Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
A doctor's degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to philosophy and religion, with approximately 73.8% of workers getting one. People currently working in careers related to philosophy and religion tend obtained the following education levels.
Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
---|---|
Doctoral Degree | 72.7% |
Master’s Degree | 12.9% |
Post-Doctoral Training | 12.3% |
Post-Master’s Certificate | 0.6% |
Most workers in philosophy and religion have at least a doctor's degree. View the chart below to get an idea of what degree level most of those in philosophy and religious studies careers have.
This of course varies depending on which philosophy and religion career you choose.
Graduates with a degree in Philosophy and Religious Studies are prepared for a wide variety of careers. Some graduates have gone on to be lawyers, politicians, religious officials, professors, or workers for non-profit organizations. The job outlook for Philosophy and Religious Studies graduates is dependent on the career path you decide to follow.
Want a job when you graduate with your philosophy and religion degree? General Philosophy & Religious Studies careers are expected to grow 12.3% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to philosophy and religious studies.
Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
---|---|---|
Philosophy and Religion Professors | 35,700 | 12.3% |
As you might expect, salaries for philosophy and religion graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for philosophy and religious studies graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers philosophy and religion grads often go into.
Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
---|---|
Philosophy and Religion Professors | $82,420 |
With over 90 different philosophy and religion degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased philosophy and religion school rankings to help you with this.
One of 3 majors within the Philosophy & Religious Studies area of study, General Philosophy & Religious Studies has other similar majors worth exploring.
Related Major | Annual Graduates |
---|---|
Philosophy | 10,054 |
Religious Studies | 9,470 |
Other Philosophy & Religious Studies | 285 |
Image Credit: By Fyodor Bronnikov under License More about our data sources and methodologies.