Program Requirements

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MAJOR REQUIREMENTS:

A major in religion requires a minimum of 12 courses (36 credits) in the field, of  which at least seven (21 credits) must be at the
300 level or higher.  A maximum  of five courses (15 credits) numbered below the 300 level may be counted toward  the major. 
01:840:211, 212 and a seminar must be taken by all majors.  An average grade of C or better is required for all courses that count
toward the completion of the major.  Religion majors  are required to take the vast majority of their religion courses offered by the
Department  of Religion at Rutgers University.  Students may use approved courses toward their major  that are offered by other
departments at Rutgers (cognate courses) or by non-Rutgers  institutions (transfer courses). But the maximum number of the
combination of cognate  and transfer courses that can count toward a religion major is two (2).  The department  considers transfer
courses in such cases based on whether they fit comparable courses in our department and are of a similar methodology, depth, and
rigor.  Students must provide the full course syllabus for transfer credit consideration.  A catalog course description will not suffice. 

In some cases the department will refuse to accept transfer courses or only allow them as general electives. Cross-listed courses
count toward the major without prior approval as they are treated as regular courses offered by the department.

MINOR REQUIREMENTS

A minor in religion consists of six relation courses of 3 or more credits.  At least three of the courses must be at the 300 or 400 level. All minors must take 01:840:211 and 01:840:212 (Religions of the Eastern World and Religions of the Western World, respectively). An average grade of C or better is required for all courses that count toward the completion of the minor.  Religion minors are required to take the vast majority of their religion courses offered by the Department of Religion at Rutgers University.  Students may use approved courses toward their minor that are offered by other departments at Rutgers (cognate courses) or by non-Rutgers institutions (transfer courses). But the maximum number of the combination of cognate and transfer courses that can count toward a religion minor is two (2). The department considers transfer courses in such cases based on whether they fit comparable courses in our department and are of a similar methodology, depth, and rigor. In some cases, the department will refuse to accept transfer courses or only allow them as general electives.  Cross-listed courses count toward the minor without prior approval as they are treated as regular courses offered by the department.

HONORS REQUIREMENTS:

• To qualify for honors in religion, a student must have a cumulative grade-point average of 3.0 or better and an average of 3.4 or better in the major.
• In order to graduate with honors, a student must complete a research thesis.
• Qualified students should apply to the Department Chair by March of their junior year.
• Those whose candidacy is accepted, will consult with the Department Chair at which time an advisor will be selected who will guide the student relative to the selection of an appropriate subject for research.
• Having undertaken the thesis project, the student will be given three credits per term.  The steps in the honors thesis process are as follows:

1. By April of his/her junior year, the student applies for honors, submits a general proposal for the thesis, and is notified of departmental approval by the end of the spring semester.

2. A progress report should be submitted to the advisor by the middle of the fall semester of the senior year.

3. By the end of the fall semester, the student must have submitted a detailed chapter-by-chapter proposal or description of the thesis.

4. During the first week of the second semester, a departmental conference is held with the faculty and honors student to give feedback on the thesis progress.

5. The first draft of the thesis is due Monday following spring break.  The final draft of the thesis is due during the first week of April.

6. The departmental oral defense will be scheduled for the second week of April so that the level of honors can be communicated to the Dean's office by April 15.

7. Completed work will be due one week before final exams.