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2023 General Philosophy & Religious Studies Degree Guide

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.

Rapid Growth in General Philosophy & Religious Studies Degrees Awarded

#320 Most Popular Major
184 Degrees Awarded
3.3% Increase in Graduates

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.

2023 Best Colleges for General Philosophy & Religious Studies
2023 Overall Best General Philosophy & Religious Studies Colleges >

Best General Philosophy & Religious Studies Schools by Degree

Associate Degrees in General Philosophy & Religious Studies
Bachelor's Degrees in General Philosophy & Religious Studies
Master's Degrees in General Philosophy & Religious Studies
Doctorate Degrees in General Philosophy & Religious Studies

General Philosophy & Religious Studies Degree Requirements

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.

Getting Accepted Into a General Philosophy & Religious Studies Program

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.

General Philosophy & Religious Studies Degree Types

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.

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This of course varies depending on which philosophy and religion career you choose.

Career Opportunities for A Degree In Philosophy & Religion Graduate

Below Average Number of Jobs
82.4k Avg. Related Jobs Salary
12% Growth Job Outlook 2016-26

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.

Solid Growth Projected for Philosophy & Religion Careers

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%

Philosophy & Religion Degree Salary Potential

As you might expect, salaries for philosophy and religion graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.

High Paying Careers for Philosophy & Religion Majors

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

Getting Your General Philosophy & Religious Studies Degree

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.

Study Areas in General Philosophy & Religious Studies

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

View All Philosophy & Religion Related Majors >

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