What Can You Do With a Degree in Religion?

As a religion double major, you will have the skills to find a job in fields that value analytic, research, reading, and writing skills, and that benefit from an understanding of diverse perspectives. Your career choices may include law, business, medicine, education, teaching, social work, and public policy.

Religion, B.A.

Top Employers

Employers are interested in the writing, research, language, and critical thinking skills that religion majors and minors have. They are also interested in the exposure to, knowledge of, and empathy for diverse cultures and world experiences that religion students acquire in their course of study. For more, check out this article at Religion News.

There are far more opportunities for students graduating with a degree in religion than you might think. Most religion majors do not become members of the clergy (though some do). Instead, many religion students at Brooklyn College go on to have careers in education, nonprofits, government agencies, museums, and more.

Through job fairs, the internship database, and internship panels, the Magner Career Center gives students in the religion B.A. program access to career opportunities at a wide variety of employers, including:

  • 5LINX
  • Adelphi University
  • Bloch Graulich Whelan
  • Chabad
  • Charitable Foundation
  • The Convention of Covenanting Churches
  • Harvard University
  • Jumpstart
  • Northern Manhattan Improvement Corporation
  • Ohel Children’s Home and Family Services
  • Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital
  • Rock of Israel
  • St. Charles Hospital
  • St. John’s Baptist Church
  • Yeshivat Eretz HaTzvi

Learn More

Part of this list was compiled using information from Religious Studies: Jobs & Career Outlook, which has further information about additional degrees and salary details.

Dual Major

At Brooklyn College, religion is a dual major. This means you can major in religion and another field. Many students major in biology and religion, or accounting and religion, to show employers that they have the writing, thinking, and research skills of a humanities major in addition to more technical skills in STEM or business. Others major in history and religion or classics and religion, to show graduate schools that they have developed a religious specialty within their larger discipline of history or classics.

On-Campus Resources

Magner Career Center

The Magner Career Center has a wealth of information on everything you need to get started in your career, help with résumés, an internships database, job fairs, etc.

  • The center hosts frequent career events, which include panels with Brooklyn College alumni, company and organization visits, and workshops.
  • You can get matched with alumni with your major to learn about their experiences, seek career advice, and develop a professional relationship.
  • HireBC offers starter, competitive internships, and even job postings from Brooklyn College’s dedicated Job Board. Access HireBC via the Brooklyn College WebCentral Portal, under the Career tab. Many alumni post positions with hopes of working with Brooklyn College students. Begin by uploading your résumé and having it reviewed by a career counselor.
  • Pamela Brown is the liaison to the School of Humanities and Social Sciences. For more information or to set up appointments, visit the Magner Center’s website call 718.951.5696, or visit 1303 James Hall.

The Brooklyn College Learning Center

The Learning Center provides peer tutoring in accordance with national best practices that empower students to cultivate the skills and behaviors of confident, independent, and lifelong learners. With support from the Office of Institutional Research and Data Science and ongoing oversight from the Office of the Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs, the center designs relevant interventions for need areas to further Brooklyn College’s efforts to stimulate student-driven learning as well as increase retention rates and on-time graduation.

Professors and Faculty

One point that can never be repeated enough is the importance of working with your professors and instructors. Even though there is plenty of good information to be found online, in each class you will learn from an expert in the field, who can answer your questions or direct you to the best resources available. The value of faculty cannot be overstated. Good connections with your instructors may be a deciding factor in landing your dream job.

Contact

Andrew Arlig, Program Director

3311 Boylan Hall
E: aarlig@brooklyn.cuny.edu
P: 718.951.5000, ext. 3228

Graduate School, Grants, and Additional Information

  • Calvin Theological Seminary, subsidiary of Calvin University, offers students pursuing graduate degrees nearly $1.5 million in grants and scholarships to help cover the cost of tuition. These grants and scholarships range in value and criteria, and are open to all students applying to a program at the seminary.
  • Scholarships.com has a comprehensive list of scholarships available to students studying religion, along with due dates and application criteria.

 

Follow Us

You can also connect with the Studies in Religion program on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. This is a great way to stay up to date and network with other students, faculty, or alumni who can be invaluable in your quest for a career.

Brooklyn. All in.