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Religious Studies

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Department of Religious Studies

Explore Life’s Big Questions. Prepare for a Meaningful Career. 

A Community That Invests in You

We’re more than a department—we’re a welcoming, mentoring community committed to your academic and personal success. We take pride in supporting students from their first class to graduation and beyond.

You won’t be just another number. Our high graduation rates reflect a culture of support, engagement, and genuine care. We’re here to help you thrive not only at The University of Oklahoma, but for the rest of your life.

Discover What Matters Most

We offer a wide range of engaging courses. Whether you’re interest is global traditions, ethical questions, or cultural analysis, there’s a place for you here.

Explore diverse worldviews, examine how religion intersects with politics, art, and justice, and learn how belief shapes societies past and present. You’ll develop skills in writing, research, and communication that translate into any career path.

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What Can You Do with a Religious Studies Degree?

Our alumni go on to thrive in a wide range of fields—including law, medicine, nonprofit work, education, public policy, and more. No matter your path, a degree in Religious Studies gives you the intellectual agility and human-centered perspective that today’s careers demand.

RELS can easily pair with double majors and multiple minors. Some RELS courses may count toward your major or minor and your GenEd requirements at the same time.  Be sure to check out our major and minor degree checksheets for more information on our courses and the requirements for a degree or minor.

Degree Checksheet

Careers in Religous Studies

Our majors graduate with a powerful set of tools:

  • Deep cultural insight

  • Critical thinking grounded in real-world context

  • The ability to navigate complexity and difference with integrity

Meet Your Admissions Counselor

Jennie Lazar.

Jennie Lazar

Dodge Family College of Arts and Sciences | Religious Studies

Ellison Hall Room 124
jlazar@ou.edu
(405) 325-4411

Religious Studies graduates follow diverse and meaningful career paths—our alumni (both majors and minors) are doing incredible things across a wide range of fields. They’ve gone on to become:

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  • Program Managers at the Family Safety Center
  • Vicars, Senior Pastors, Priests
  • Occupational Safety Specialists
  • AP Statistics & Mathematics Instructors
  • University Faculty
  • Freelance Writers
  • Managers in Mortgage Servicing
  • Special Collections Assistants at University Research Libraries
  • Physical Therapists
  • Residents in Family Medicine
  • Physician Associates
  • Caseworkers in Child Protective Services
  • Elementary School Teachers
  • State Representatives
  • Intelligence Analysts for the FBI
  • Staff Attorneys for the Choctaw Nation
  • Nonprofit Tax Attorneys
  • Attorneys & Counselors at Law
  • Supervisors of Library Programs

We’re excited to meet you and answer any questions you have about our programs, faculty, or student opportunities.

Whether you're interested in scheduling a visit, sitting in on a class, or connecting with a specific professor, we’re here to help. Please reach out to our administrative coordinator, Rebecca Hall-Davis at rebeccahd@ou.edu, or contact us through our departmental email at rels@ou.edu.

We look forward to welcoming you into our community.

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Contact

 731 Elm Ave.
Norman OK 73019
Email: rels@ou.edu

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