A background in Religious Studies prepares students for a wide range of careers across sectors—from education and public service to law, healthcare, and the arts. Our graduates pursue meaningful work that reflects their values, critical thinking, and ability to engage diverse perspectives.
A major doesn’t always determine your career path. In fact, many professionals, including our Religious Studies faculty, have built careers that differ from their undergraduate majors.
At OU, we encourage students to take full advantage of the university experience to explore their interests and build a meaningful future. Internships, rigorous academics, leadership roles, study abroad, campus involvement, and work experience all help shape who you are and where you’re going.
Your major is just one part of the journey.
Career opportunities for Religious Studies majors and minors are broad and diverse, especially when combined with complementary coursework in other disciplines.
Through an interdisciplinary and global approach, students in Religious Studies gain valuable skills in critical thinking, problem-solving, cultural literacy, and effective communication. These skills that are in high demand across many fields.
Our graduates have gone on to meaningful careers in a variety of professions. Here are just a few examples of the many career paths our alumni have taken:
For more information on taking advantage of everything OU has to offer, contact the Arts and Sciences Student Success Center, OU Career Center, or the departmental advisor, Jennie Lazar.
Did you know that Religious Studies offers many skills that translate into successful careers in law and medicine? Find out how to set yourself apart with RELS & Pre-Law or RELS & Pre-Med degrees.
Class of 2020
“I think the OU RELS department helped me in that we have a fantastic method of engaging with ideas and information at both a personal and systemic level. I think we have some of the best faculty and staff across both the university and the country at consistently challenging students to look inward at our own religious and cultural identities, and outward towards the larger systems and communities that religion plays a factor in. As a department, there is a continuous effort to grow as a scholar (and I would think as a person) from the faculty, staff, and the students themselves. There is no doubt without the RELS department, without the encouragement and expertise of those within it, I would not have a great opportunity like I do at Harvard. I've been able to be around some the best scholars and mentors in my time at the RELS department, and for that I can’t be thankful enough.”
Class of 2009
"The coursework in RELS translated quite perfectly to the work of an attorney. RELS required me to listen, read, analyze, issue spot, ask questions, and articulate my analysis and reasoning—whether in a written product or during in-person class discussions and presentations. This is, frankly, the work of a litigation attorney—to listen, read, analyze, issue spot, ask questions, articulate your position, and advocate on behalf of the client. Most importantly, RELS taught me how to think. How to develop an inquisitive mind. How to continually ask questions, even if the answers are unknown, because the questions in themselves are important. These are skills that can take you anywhere in life, regardless of a specific career path."
Class of 2011
"When I was an undergraduate student at OU, Religious Studies was one of my double minors. To me, to understand my major of Human Relations, it could only be propped up in context of what makes humans who they are – culture and language (Spanish), as well as faith (religious studies). Looking back, I wish I would have double majored in Religious Studies. I read works such as the Quran, I learned a new perspective of the Apostle Paul, and what it meant to reach 'enlightenment.' This field of study is so much more than what people believe – it is a lens by which we can see inside someone and better relate/connect. And, I think our world could use a great deal more of empathy!"
Class of 2014
"I can honestly say I would not be the person I am today without the experiences that shaped me while studying in the Religious Studies program. A course titled Religion, Culture and the Meaning of Life was paramount to shifting my worldview and pushed me to explore other Religious Studies courses, which led me to change my major during my sophomore year. This degree, including the relationships with professors and my classmates, helped me understand how to be a better human. This degree inspired me to look into service, where I served two years as an AmeriCorps member for a national education nonprofit. I discovered my passion for helping young people during this time and am committed to fighting education inequities impacting our communities."
Class of 2014
"My religious studies degree has been a key factor in career success, enabling me to effectively understand and empathize with people from various religious and cultural backgrounds from around the world."
