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Religion Major

Bachelor of Arts in Religion

Gain an understanding of the major religions of the world, their traditions and roles in society, with the Bachelor of Arts in Religion in the College of Liberal Arts at Temple University. 

As a Religion major, you’ll explore the complex relationships between religion and class, ethnicity, gender, race, sexuality and other areas of society—as well as the ways in which religions connect to one another. Students are encouraged to explore and ask questions about the nature of religion, and what impact it has on personal identity, social life and political structures. 

Religions covered in the curriculum include 

  • African and African American religions, 
  • Buddhism, 
  • Christianity, 
  • Confucianism, 
  • Daoism,
  • Hinduism, and
  • Judaism.

You’ll learn about the major figures of these world religions, how they developed over time and how they relate to one another. You’ll also form a deep understanding of how cultures form, how different communities grow, why conflicts arise and how they are resolved.

The Religion Major can help students understand and appreciate our culturally, socially diverse world, and inspire empathy, curiosity and open communication. 

A female student in a red jacket smiles during a class discussion.

Religion Department

Founded in 1961, Temple’s Department of Religion was one of the earliest religion departments established at a public or state-related university. The goal of the department and its programs is to provide students with a broad understanding of a wide variety of religious traditions and an awareness of how religion functions in communities around the world.

The department has strong relationships and affiliations with outside secular and religious institutions, including the 

  • Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary, 
  • Lutheran Theological Seminary, 
  • Reconstructionist Rabbinical College in Philadelphia and 
  • University of Pennsylvania Department of Religious Studies.

Classes & Curriculum

In addition to university and College of Liberal Arts requirements, Religion BA students will complete major-specific required and elective courses. The following courses are available. 

  • Death and Dying
  • East and West and Religion in Philadelphia
  • Islam
  • Religion and Human Sexuality
  • Religion in Film
  • Zombie Apocalypse

After completing course requirements, students will complete a capstone project worth three credits. 

Learn more about Religion Major requirements. 

Related Graduate Degrees

Certificate Programs

The College of Liberal Arts has 22 undergraduate certificate programs for you to expand your knowledge and diversify your Temple education. Certificates can complement bachelor's programs, allowing you to specialize in an area and highlight your exposure to disciplines outside of your major.

Tuition & Fees

In keeping with Temple’s commitment to access and affordability, the Bachelor of Arts offers a competitive level of tuition with multiple opportunities for financial support.

Tuition rates are set annually by the university and are affected by multiple factors, including program degree level (undergraduate or graduate), course load (full- or part-time), in-state or out-of-state residency, and more. You can view the full Cost of Attendance breakdown on the Student Financial Services website.

These tuition costs apply to the 2025–2026 academic year.

Pennsylvania resident: $19,608.00 per year
Out-of-state: $35,232.00 per year

Our Academic Advisors

Advising support is provided by the College of Liberal Arts Center for Academic Advising. You can find more information on the CLA Academic Advising webpage (https://liberalarts.temple.edu/students/academic-advising).

Joyce K. Salzberg Center for Professional Development

Dedicated advisors at the Joyce K. Salzberg Center for Professional Development in the College of Liberal Arts are available to guide students through their academic careers and with their career paths beyond Temple. They can help you choose a major, navigate your curriculum, identify internship opportunities, explore career opportunities and determine your post-graduation plans. Learn more about the center.

Program Contact

For questions regarding the Religion Major, contact the following staff member.

Belinda Wilson is the administrator in the Religion Department.
Phone: 215-204-0472
Email:

The following staff members lead the Religion Department.

Khalid A.Y. Blankinship is the chair.
Phone: 215-204-5443
Email: 

Terry Rey is the undergraduate chair.
Email:

Irina Segal is the coordinator.
Phone: 215-204-1742
Email: 

University Honors Program

The College of Liberal Arts participates in Temple’s Honors Program. Learn more about the program and how to be admitted. 

Students who meet certain academic and extracurricular criteria may become members of the following honor societies. 

  • Alpha Lambda Delta is a national society that honors academic excellence during a student's first year at college.
  • Golden Key is an international society that enables members to realize their potential through the advancement of academics, leadership and service. 
  • Phi Beta Kappa is open to juniors and seniors in the College of Liberal Arts. To qualify for Phi Beta Kappa, a student must maintain a high grade point average in a broad, rigorous program of study in the liberal arts, including mathematics and foreign languages.

Learn more about Temple’s honor societies.

Student Clubs & Organizations

Supplement your College of Liberal Arts coursework and enhance your undergraduate experience at Temple with more than 300 student clubs and organizations. You’ll have opportunities to meet and network with other students, get involved with the community, grow your interests, and develop résumé-boosting skills and experiences.

The following student organizations may be of interest to students in the Religion Major.

  • Alpha Omega is a nondenominational Christian organization. 
  • Hillel at Temple University is the center for Jewish life at Temple as well as a center for those students who do not have a Jewish life on their campuses in the Philadelphia area.
  • Global Connect: Temple is open to people of all ethnicities, nationalities and religious backgrounds. It aims to enhance the lives of all international students at Temple by providing service opportunities that meet practical needs, hosting social events to build connections among Americans and international students, and promoting spiritual growth.

Learn more about Temple’s student clubs and organizations.

Study Away

College of Liberal Arts undergraduate students are encouraged to study away for an academic year, semester or summer. Enrich your Temple experience by immersing yourself in new cultures, histories and perspectives in countries such as China, Germany, Ghana and Italy, as well as at Temple’s Rome and Tokyo campuses.

Learn more about your options for studying away. 

Accreditation

The Department of Africology and African American Studies is accredited by the National Council for Black Studies (NCBS). NCBS was established in 1975 by African American scholars who recognized the need to formalize the study of the African experience, as well as expand and strengthen academic units and community programs devoted to this endeavor.

Temple University’s departments and programs are accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

Additional Program Information