More Information About Religious Studies
- The career opportunities in the field of religion vary widely and not all are necessarily in churches.
- Many professionals working in the field of religion feel a sense of accomplishment that their job impacts many people's lives.
- Religious professionals hold many different types of degrees, from a high school diploma to a PhD.
What kinds of jobs are available in the field of religion?
In the 19th century, those who chose a career in religion became the teachers within a community, since teaching was once primarily done through the church. Today, almost all professionals who work in the field of religion work in churches, as religious leaders, educators and counselors. A career in religion typically refers to a spiritual leader such as a pastor, minister, rabbi, or clergy. These professionals are responsible for teaching and passing along the religious traditions of their specific branch of faith; this usually happens through sermons and writings. Beyond the role of a pastor other options in the field include a Sunday school teacher, missionary, church administrator, or music minister. Some people interested in working in the field of religion also choose to go into teaching and research at a university. People in these positions are usually highly respected professors in their field. They are responsible for teaching, as well as continuing the field of research in their specified field.
What kinds of degrees are there in the field of religion?Most religion professionals, at least those who act as leaders in their religious communities, have at least a master's degree under their belt. The requirements for getting a job in this field, however, vary greatly depending on the religion. Most organized religions have a checklist of qualifications to become a religious leader. Some require a high school diploma, while others require a bachelor's or master's degree, plus extra seminary training. The first step toward a career in religion, before any degree, is to do some major soul searching into whether this is the career for you. Religious leaders have a fairly large responsibility in helping people through their walks of faith. Work in a university, as a religion professor or researcher, requires a PhD in a religion field.
How much money do religion graduates make?Only in western societies do religious leaders have much of a chance of making a substantial amount of money. Western churches tend to have a more commercial aspect to them and there is usually more money within these societies. In any part of the world, salary depends on the type of religious branch. In the Catholic Church, priests usually make between $15,300 and $18,500 a year, with all their living and health costs paid for by the church. Other religions vary greatly by the community in which the church is located. Usually, the wealthier the community, the higher the minister's salary will be. Jewish Rabbis, like the Catholic priests, usually have their living and health expenses paid for, along with a salary that varies by the congregation. A very rough estimate of salary range for ministers across the board starts at $28,000 and goes all the way up to $150,000 a year. For those who choose not to go into a targeted religious career, salaries can vary all over the board.
What are the leading schools offering programs in Religious Studies ?- Grand Canyon University Online Founded in 1949 as a private, non-denominational Christian university, Grand Canyon University emphasizes individual attention and staff support. Students learn professional essentials for success in Education careers—all with the convenience of flexible online classes. ( More Info )
- Liberty University Online With more than 40 online degrees offered, Liberty University is a convenient, flexible, and affordable way to earn an accredited degree from a solid, Christian perspective. ( More Info )
- Argosy University (Graduate) Argosy University, with 18 metropolitan campus locations throughout U.S., offers Masters, MBA, Doctorate, and Specialized programs in Business, Counseling, Education, and Psychology. ** Not an online school. ( More Info )
- Colorado Christian University Online Founded in 1914, Colorado Christian University is a private, Christian university located a few miles from Denver, Colorado. The school offers a large number of Associate, Bachelor's and Master's degrees online, as well, through the College of Adult and Graduate Studies' Global Online program. All programs allow students to integrate their faith into the knowledge and skills they acquire in the classroom. ( More Info )
