Bachelor of Arts
Christian & Religious Studies
Gain a deeper understanding of the Bible, Christian theology and ethics, and employ multidisciplinary approaches to understanding how Christianity and other religions shape the world in which we live.
Is This Program for Me?
Are you eager to deepen your understanding of Scripture, theology, and Christian ministry? Are you discerning a call to ministry, missions, counseling, nonprofit leadership, or scholarship? This program offers a flexible and enriching path for students preparing for leadership in churches, schools, nonprofits, and global organizations. It is also an excellent foundation for seminary, graduate studies, and careers that engage with religious and cultural diversity.
The Christian & Religious Studies major is a great fit if you want to:
- Gain a deeper knowledge of the Bible and Christian tradition
- Develop skills for ministry, missions, or service leadership
- Prepare for seminary or advanced theological study
- Explore world religions and interfaith dialogue
- Understand how religion shapes history, culture, and modern society
- Grow spiritually and discover new ways to serve God and neighbor
What Makes Us Different?
The Department of Biblical and Religious Studies at 51½ÖÉä fosters a vibrant intellectual and spiritual community where faith and learning intersect. Students explore profound questions about faith, Scripture, ministry, and the world in a setting that values both scholarship and service.
Scholarship Meets Ministry
Professors combine academic excellence with ministry leadership—offering deep expertise in theology, Bible, and world religions alongside practical ministry experience.
Personal Attention & Mentorship
Small classes, individual advising, and relationships with faculty who remain trusted mentors long after graduation.
Interdisciplinary & Practical
Students can study ministry leadership, Christian ethics, global missions, preaching, and world religions in the same major, preparing them for multifaceted careers.
Accelerated Pathways
Opportunities include a fast-track Master of Divinity (MDiv) or Master of Social Work (MSW), and eligibility for 51½ÖÉä’s fifth-year MBA with a business minor.
Shape Your Academic Journey
The Christian and Religious Studies curriculum helps students explore Scripture, theology, ethics, church history, and global religious diversity through rigorous study and practical ministry engagement.
Students will
- Interpret the Bible through multiple scholarly approaches
- Engage deeply with Christian theological traditions and ethical questions
- Study world religions, including Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism
- Examine how social structures influence religious life
- Develop skills for preaching, pastoral care, and leadership
- Complete internships and directed research for real-world application
Prepare to Succeed
Graduates of the Christian and Religious Studies program are prepared to lead with wisdom, compassion, and cultural awareness in today’s complex religious and global landscape. The program equips them with skills in biblical interpretation, theological reasoning, ethical leadership, and cross-cultural ministry.
Career Opportunities
- Pastor or church leader
- Missionary or global service coordinator
- Nonprofit or ministry director
- Religious educator or theological scholar
- Counselor or social worker (with additional training)
- Public policy or community advocate
- Seminary student or graduate researcher
Internships
Students engage in internships at churches, nonprofit organizations, ministries, and social justice centers. Recent placements include:
Churches
- Baptist Church of the Covenant
- The Church at Brook Hills
- Shades Mountain Baptist Church
- Sixteenth Street Baptist Church
Nonprofit Organizations & Ministries
- Alabama Appleseed Center for Law and Justice
- Children’s Hospital
- Grace House Ministries
- The WellHouse
- Woman’s Missionary Union
- Samaritan Counseling Center of Birmingham
“The professors have been the most impactful part of the department for me... It’s the relationships they offer that really impacted me.”—Anne Marie Vines ’21, Neighbor Services Manager, GraceWorks Ministries
