Religious Studies is an academic discipline that looks at religious phenomena worldwide from different perspectives to understand the many roles that religion plays in human life. To this end, students of religion learn to use a variety of theoretical analyses and methods:
- historical methods to understand how religions develop in time;
- critical literary methods to understand religious ideas;
- aesthetic methods to understand religious art and material culture;
- social-scientific methods to understand the relationship between religion, society and culture.
Religious studies can also engage a variety of professional disciplines in analysis of how religion functions in economic, educational or political contexts, healthcare and scientific research, and others.
Some ways of studying religion emphasize understanding religions on their own terms, other ways use comparative methods to discern differences and similarities between religions. Students of religion also study ways that people use religious resources to make meaning outside the boundaries of religious institutions and identities. Above all, the field of religious studies requires a willingness to explore different ways of interpreting human life and diligent effort to develop understanding of how religious ideas, symbols, rituals and spaces serve as resources for people in a variety of contexts as they make sense of and live out their lives in the world. Thus, the Religious Studies major provides important preparation for thinking, communicating and functioning professionally and personally in a complex, multidimensional world.
How to Get in
| Requirements | Details |
|---|---|
| How to get in | No application required. All students who meet the requirements listed below are eligible to declare. For information on how to declare, visit Advising & Careers. |
| Courses required to get in | None |
| GPA requirements to get in | None |
| Credits required to get in | None |
| Other | None |
Students declared in the Religious Studies certificate may not be declared in the Religious Studies major at the same time. Students who do wish to declare this major must first cancel their declaration in the certificate.
University Requirements
All undergraduate students must complete both the following Core General Education (Core GenEd) and University Degree and Quality of Work requirements. The requirements below apply to students whose first term at UW-Madison or whose earliest post-high school college attendance at any institution is Summer 2026 or later.
Students whose first term at UW-Madison or whose earliest post-high school college attendance at any institution occurred before Summer 2026 should refer to the archived Guide for the requirements that apply to them.
Core General Education (Core GenEd) Requirements
| Civics & Perspectives | 3 credits of Civics & Perspectives coursework. |
| Communication & Literacy | 6 credits of Communication & Literacy coursework. This requirement may be partially satisfied by a qualifying placement test score. For more information see this tiny url: https://go.wisc.edu/qualifyingenglishplacement |
| Humanities & Arts | 6 credits of Humanities & Arts coursework. |
| Mathematics & Quantitative Reasoning | 6 credits of Mathematics & Quantitative Reasoning coursework. This requirement may be partially satisfied by a qualifying placement test score. For more information see this tiny url: https://go.wisc.edu/qualifyingmathplacement |
| Natural Science & Wellness | Complete both:
|
| Social & Behavioral Science | 3 credits of Social & Behavioral Science coursework. |
| Total Credits | 30 credits. |
For more information see the policy.
University Degree and Quality of Work Requirements
All undergraduate degree recipients must complete the following minimum requirements. Requirements for some programs will exceed these requirements; see program requirements for additional information.
| Total Degree | 120 degree credits. |
| Residency | Complete 30 credits in residence. A course is considered “in residence” if it is taken when in undergraduate degree-seeking status and:
|
| Quality of Work | Achieve at least the minimum grade point average specified by the school, college, and/or academic program. |
| Math | Demonstrate minimal mathematics competence by: |
| English Language | If required to take the UW-Madison English as a Second Language Assessment Test (MSN-ESLAT), demonstrate minimal English language competence by:
|
| Language | Complete one:
|
| Major Declaration | Declare and complete the requirements for at least one major. |
College of Letters & Science Degree Requirements: Bachelor of Science (BS)
Students pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in the College of Letters & Science must complete all of the requirements below. Some courses satisfy more than one L&S degree requirement (visit College of Letters & Science: Requirements for details).
This major can be paired with either the Bachelor of Arts or the Bachelor of Science degree requirements.
Bachelor of Science Degree Requirements
| Communication | Complete both:
|
| Quantitative Reasoning | Complete both:
|
| Ethnic Studies | one 3+ credit course with the Ethnic Studies designation |
| Language | the third unit of a language other than English |
| Mathematics | Complete two courses of 3+ credits at the Intermediate or Advanced level in MATH, COMP SCI, or STAT subjects. A maximum of one course in each of COMP SCI and STAT subjects counts toward this requirement. |
| L&S Breadth: Humanities | Complete 12 credits with the Humanities or Literature designation, which must include at least 6 credits with the Literature designation. |
| L&S Breadth: Social Sciences | Complete 12 credits with the Social Science designation. |
| L&S Breadth: Natural Sciences | Complete 12 credits, which must include both:
|
| Liberal Arts and Science (LAS) Coursework | at least 108 credits |
| Depth of Intermediate/Advanced Coursework | at least 60 credits at the Intermediate or Advanced level |
| Major | Declare and complete at least one major. |
| Total Credits | at least 120 credits |
| UW-Madison Experience |
|
| Quality of Work |
|
Non–L&S students pursuing an L&S major
Non–L&S students who have permission from their School/College to pursue an additional major within L&S only need to fulfill the major requirements. They do not need to complete the L&S Degree Requirements above.
Requirements for the Major
Students must complete 30 credits in Religious Studies course work, to include:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Gateway (Complete one course:) | 3 | |
| Religion in Global Perspective | ||
| Exploring Religion in Sickness and Health | ||
| Exploring Religion and Sexuality | ||
| Sacred Places and Journeys | ||
| Religion and Popular Culture-Local and Global | ||
| Middle Sequence | 15 | |
| The Sabbath | ||
| Witches and Wizards: from Hecate to Harry Potter | ||
| America and Religions | ||
| Prophets and Poets: Women, Writing and Religion in a Time of War, 1642-1660 | ||
| Everyday Religion in Africa | ||
| Christianity: Interpretation and Practice | ||
| Women, Gender and Religion | ||
| Introduction to Buddhism | ||
| The Crusades: Christianity and Islam | ||
| Sects and Cults | ||
| Classical Rabbinic Literature in Translation | ||
| Science, Medicine and Religion | ||
| Early Christian Literature: Matthew-Revelation | ||
| King David in History and Tradition | ||
| The American Jewish Life of DNA | ||
| Nordic Mythology | ||
| Anthropology of Religion | ||
| Shamanism | ||
| Hinduism | ||
| Early Medieval England | ||
| Early Christian Literature: Pauline Christianity | ||
| Islam: Religion and Culture | ||
| Mecca, Cairo, Istanbul, Delhi: Great Cities of Islam | ||
| The Rhetoric of Religion | ||
| Topics in Religious Studies - Humanities | ||
| Topics in Religious Studies - Social Studies | ||
| Topics in Religious Studies-US Ethnic Studies | ||
| The Amish | ||
| Children and Religion in America | ||
| The Enlightenment and Its Critics | ||
| Islam in Africa and the Diaspora | ||
| Religious Studies Colloquium | ||
| Religion and Politics | ||
| Milton | ||
| Poverty, Ecology and the Arts: St. Francis of Assisi | ||
| Buddhist Thought | ||
| Meditation in Indian Buddhism and Hinduism | ||
| Religion, Global and Public Health | ||
| Advanced Topics in Religious Studies | ||
| Philosophy of Religion | ||
| Religion and Public Education | ||
| Religions of the Ancient Mediterranean | ||
| Proseminar in Buddhist Thought | ||
| Capstone | ||
| RELIG ST 600 | Religion in Critical Perspective | 3 |
| Electives: Any course from RELIG ST 100 through 699 | 9 | |
| Total Credits | 30 | |
Residence and Quality of Work
- 2.000 GPA in all RELIG ST and major courses
- 2.000 GPA on 15 Upper-Level credits for the major, taken in residence1
- 15 credits in RELIG ST or the major, taken on campus
- 1
Courses counting as upper-level in the major are any RELIG ST courses at the Intermediate or Advanced level.
Honors in the Major
Students may declare Honors in the Major in consultation with the Religious Studies undergraduate advisor.
Honors in the Major Requirements
To earn Honors in the Major, students must satisfy both the requirements for the major (above) and these additional requirements:
- Minimum 3.300 University GPA
- Minimum 3.500 GPA in all RELIG ST and all major courses
- Complete 12 credits, taken for Honors, with individual grades of B or better, to include:
- RELIG ST 600
- RELIG ST 681 and RELIG ST 682 for at least 6 credits.
- 3 additional credits of Intermediate or Advanced level RELIG ST and major courses
Learning Outcomes
- Proficiency in close reading, interpretation, and written and oral analysis.
- Proficiency in accessing, appraising, and utilizing a variety of resources and methods for research across disciplinary lines.
- Proficiency in categorizing, analyzing and comparing diverse systems of value and belief in a variety of contexts.
- Global and local religious literacy; identifying, evaluating, and interpreting the interrelationships and impact of religious worldviews and communities in Wisconsin, the United States and globally.
- Ability to conduct and present sustained research on primary sources using methodologies/analysis of religious studies culminating in the senior capstone project.
Four-Year Plan
This Four-Year Plan is only one way a student may complete an L&S degree with this major. Many factors can affect student degree planning, including placement scores, credit for transferred courses, credits earned by examination, and individual scholarly interests. In addition, many students have commitments (e.g., athletics, honors, research, student organizations, study abroad, work and volunteer experiences) that necessitate they adjust their plans accordingly. Informed students engage in their own unique Wisconsin Experience by consulting their academic advisors, Guide, DARS, and Course Search & Enroll for assistance making and adjusting their plan.
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| RELIG ST 101, 102, 103, 104, or 105 | 3 | RELIG ST course meeting Literature Breadth1 | 3 |
| Communication A | 3 | RELIG ST elective | 3 |
| Quantitative Reasoning A | 3-4 | Biological Science Breadth | 3 |
| Language (if needed) | 4 | Social Science Breadth | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| 16 | 15 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| RELIG ST course with Literature Breadth1 | 3 | RELIG ST/ILS 234 or 236 (meets Communication B requirement) | 3 |
| Quantitative Reasoning B | 3 | RELIG ST/FOLKLORE 352 or 403 (meets Ethnic Studies requirement) | 3 |
| Social Science Breadth | 3 | Physical Science Breadth | 3 |
| Elective | 4 | I/A COMP SCI, MATH or STAT (if needed for BS) | 3 |
| INTER-LS 210 | 1 | Elective | 4 |
| 14 | 16 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| RELIG ST Elective (numbered 300 or above) | 6 | RELIG ST Elective (numbered 300 or above) | 9 |
| Social Science Breadth | 3 | Science Breadth | 3 |
| I/A COMP SCI, MATH or STAT (if needed for BS) | 3 | Social Science Breadth | 3 |
| Elective | 4 | ||
| 16 | 15 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| RELIG ST Elective (numbered 300 or above) | 3 | RELIG ST Electives | 6 |
| Science Breadth | 3 | Elective | 9 |
| Electives | 4 | RELIG ST 600 | 3 |
| 10 | 18 | ||
| Total Credits 120 | |||
- 1
Consult the Course Search & Enroll tool for a comprehensive list of RELIG ST courses designated for Literature Breadth.
Advising and Careers
Advising
Students are encouraged to meet with the program’s undergraduate advisor early to plan for successful completion and take advantage of opportunities such as Honors, special research, internship, service learning or study abroad opportunities in associate with the major or certificate: religiousstudies.wisc.edu/advising
Because Religious Studies is an interdisciplinary major drawing upon many subject areas, some courses may have requisites that must be fulfilled even though the requisites themselves are not part of the Religious Studies major's courses. Students are responsible for ensuring that they have met all the requisites to enroll in a course. See: Religious Studies courses.
Careers
Religious studies engages a variety of professional disciplines and provides important preparation for thinking, communicating, and functioning professionally in a complex, multi-dimensional world.
The Religious Studies program sponsors workshops and other career exploration vehicles, often in collaboration with SuccessWorks at the College of Letters & Science, to aid students in articulating the value of religious studies for their career preparation. Student-developed capstone projects often make specific connections to experiential learning and career preparation in a range of fields. Talk with the undergraduate advisor about possibilities for combining internships and other forms of preprofessional training with the major and certificate.
Study Abroad
Learning in Letters & Science emphasizes discovery, growth, understanding different perspectives, and challenging yourself, which makes studying abroad an excellent fit for many L&S students: studyabroad.wisc.edu
As a university with global influence, we have more than 300 study abroad programs in over 80 countries. These vary in length, academic focus, teaching format, language requirements, cost, and level of independence. There are many programs to complement every major and any year of college (including the final semester)—and all meet UW–Madison’s high academic standards. Students admitted into Letters & Science can even choose a short program in the summer before they start college or their whole first year: studyabroad.wisc.edu/launch. Talk with your academic advisor about how studying abroad might fit with your academic plan.
SuccessWorks
SuccessWorks at the College of Letters & Science helps you turn the academic skills learned in your classes into a fulfilling life, guiding you every step of the way to securing jobs, internships, or admission to graduate school.
Through one-on-one career advising, events, and resources, you can explore career options, build valuable internship and research experience, and connect with supportive alumni and employers who open doors of opportunity.
- What you can do with your major (Major Skills & Outcomes Sheets)
- Make a career advising appointment
- Learn about internships and internship funding
- Try “Jobs, Internships, & How to Get Them,” an interactive guide in Canvas for enrolled UW–Madison students