The Department of Religious Studies at Niagara University offers:

• B.A. in Religious Studies
• Minor in Religious Studies
• Minor in Catholic Studies
• Certificate Programs

B.A. - RELIGIOUS STUDIES

The major program in Religious Studies includes five interrelated disciplines: Scripture, Systematics, Christian Ethics, Liturgy, General Religion. A candidate for this degree must complete courses in each discipline for a total of 10 units plus those 3 per the general University requirements, for a total of 13 units overall. Units assigned to each discipline may, with departmental advisement, be modified to meet the career needs of the student.

Major's should consult course descriptions for classifications of each course in the Course Catalog.

Major Requirement:

• REL 219 - First Christians and the New Testament
• REL 206 - World Religions
• REL 211 - Hebrew Scripture
• REL 217 - Christian Sacraments

Comparative Religion Elective

• REL 216 - Jesus the Christ
• REL 256 - Christian Morality
• REL 317 - Christian Ministry

Christian Ethics Elective

• REL 499 - Senior Seminar

Advised Electives (10)

Minor:

    A minor in religious studies is awarded to a student who successfully completes a sequence of six courses, which includes the three course units (nine semester hours) in religious studies as required by the University.  Two minor programs are possible as follows:

Minor in General Religious Studies: After taking either REL 101 or REL 103, the student selects five additional courses in consultation with the Department of Religious Studies.

Click on the link to go to the Course Catalog for information about these courses and others for the General Religious Studies Minor :

Course Catalog

Minor in Catholic Studies: After taking REL 103, the student selects five additional courses providing emphasis on Catholic teaching and tradition, e.g., REL 216, REL 217, REL 256, REL 265, REL 347, REL 390, etc.  

Click on the link to go to the Course Catalog for information about these courses and others for the Catholic Studies Minor :

Justice and Peace Minor:  The justice and peace studies minor is a interdisciplinary program.  It requires the completion of six courses.  On completion of the minor program, a certificate in justice and peace studies will be awarded to the student.  Students wishing to pursue the minor in justice and peace studies should contact the coordinator.  Click on the link to go to the Course Catalog for additional information about this course.

Certificate Programs

Two certificate programs designed to assist those involved in religious education and ministry are offered.

Certificate in General Religious Studies: especially geared to those students involved in education, the social sciences, social work, etc.

Certificate in Catholic Studies: especially geared to those students involved in education as Directors of Religious Education, C.C.D. teachers, or educators in the Catholic school system.

Certificate in Christian Ministry: especially geared to students actively involved in a wide variety of Church ministries.