Bible Degrees

What type of Religion Degree is right for you?

There are a lot of different types of religion degree–far too many to list here.  But figuring out which type is right for you doesn’t mean you need to go through a list of every available type of degree.

Knowing what your goals are and what you’re interested in studying will help you narrow down your search quickly.

Two Types of Degree for Those Interested in Religion

You can probably rule out about half the available degrees in religion out there, before you even start looking.  That’s because there are two main types of degree in religion, meant for different purposes.  There are academic religion degrees, and then there are vocational religion degrees.

A degree in religion that has an academic focus isn’t about a student’s own spiritual beliefs.  That’s not to say you can’t have spiritual beliefs and study religion in an academic sense, but your religion degree will be about approaching religious history, tradition, and philosophy in an objective manner–which means, largely, leaving your own beliefs out of it.

A vocational degree in religion will probably have academic aspects, but the overall purpose is different.  You’ll be studying in order to fulfill a career in a religious field.  Your religion degree might be the fulfillment of an educational requirement in order to become a pastor, for example.  While you’ll also study history, theology, and tradition in depth, you’ll be studying as a believer, which means you’ll be taking a subjective point of view.  You’ll also find that even your academically geared classes will take on a different focus sometimes.

Within each of these larger categories are many smaller divisions.  Understanding what your own goals are will help you to decide which type of religion degree is right for you, and for your own personal and professional improvement.