People studying 
Academics › Undergraduate Academics › BA Religious Studies

BA in Religious Studies

Religious Studies Degree

Naropa’s Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies offers students a unique opportunity to study religion from both a contemplative as well as an academic perspective, building a solid understanding of religion in society, and its relevance to the human experience.

REQUEST INFORMATION
Program Overview
Degree Requirements
Why Choose Naropa?
FAQs
How to Apply
Costs & Aid
Scholarship Opportunities
Major Meets Career
Faculty
Meet with Admissions Counselor

Program Overview

Naropa’s Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies offers courses that examine and explore the phenomenon of religion and its effect on individuals and culture.

Naropa’s approach to the study of religion is respectful, nonsectarian, contemplative, as well as critical. You will study religion from both a history of religions standpoint, as well as the perspective of the practitioner, and on occasion, experientially. 

Naropa’s Religious Studies program focuses on historical religious traditions and emerging forms of religious practice, including historical context, theoretical concepts, nomenclature, and an experiential understanding. Thus, students will be given the opportunity to gain a true understanding and appreciation of diverse cultures and beliefs in depth.

Naropa’s contemplative approach challenges students to consider and/or reconsider religion from a personal and experiential perspective, and to understand the perspectives of others within religious traditions in context.

Students will learn to articulate religious perspectives in a collaborative learning environment. This involves actively participating in group discussions and sharing insights.

Violet brush

Quick Facts

  • 37 credit hours (of the 120 credits required for a bachelor's degree)
  • Transfer up to 90 semester credits
  • 2 group retreats
  • 1 meditation intensive
  • Contemplative approach
  • Scholar-practitioner instructors
  • Religious traditions focus
  • Admissions open for 2025
APPLY NOW!
Yellow brush

Program Format

Naropa University’s undergraduate program is a four-year, fully accredited Bachelor of Arts Degree program. The Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies is a 37-credit major in which students explore religion in a variety of ways, with an emphasis on contemplative practices and traditions. Course offerings include African, Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Jewish, Muslim, and Sufi traditions.

All students must take a series of 12 credits that introduce the study of religion and contemplative practice.

Students also choose 9 credits from Religious Traditions courses, which serve as introductory studies of major world religions, 6 credits from Contemporary Issues in Religion courses, and 9 credits from Contemplative Practice courses.


Your religious studies degree will include a diversity of courses as rich and varied as jobs for religious studies graduates. 

A group of people is gathered inside a classroom. They are sitting on chairs in a circle.

Course Spotlight

Meditation Practicum I: Freeing the Mind

Students delve into the Tibetan Buddhist tradition of shamatha-vipashyana through sitting meditation. Weekly lectures focus on experiential facets like understanding impermanence, managing emotions, and fostering maitri, or loving-kindness. Alongside lectures, students participate in weekly discussion groups and have individual sessions with meditation instructors. The course includes consistent daily meditation. Evaluation methods include both midterm and final oral exams.

Degree
Requirements

A Bachelor of Arts degree (120 credits) consists of a Core Curriculum (24 credits) and at least one major, as well as minors and/or elective courses of the student’s choosing. 

The Religious Studies Major consists of 37 credit hours. 

Religious Studies Major Requirements

  • REL-150 Buddhist Journey of Transformation: An Introduction (3)

  • REL-210 Religion and Mystical Experience (3)

  • REL-247 Embodying Sacred Wisdom: Modern Saints (3)

  • REL-351 Theories of Alternative Spiritualities and New Religious Movements (3)

Choose 9 credits from the following courses:

  • REL-229 Contemplative Judaism (3)

  • REL-240 Integrating One’s Inner and Outer World through the Buddhist Science of Mind (3)

  • REL-314 Contemplative Islam: An Introduction to Its History, Thought, and Practice (3)

  • REL-321 Kabbalah and Consciousness (3)

  • REL-323 Religious Experience in Africa: Flash of the Spirit (3)

  • REL-325 Contemplative Christianity (3)

  • REL-334 Hindu Tantra (3)

  • REL-338 Sufism: an Introduction to Its History, Thought, and Practice (3)

  • REL-345 Zen Buddhism (3)

  • REL-346 Wisdom & Compassion: A Buddhist Path (3)

  • REL-355 Sanskrit in the Sacred Traditions of India (3)

  • TRA-453 Yoga History, Theory, and Philosophy (3)

 Choose 6 credits from the following courses: 

  • REL-190 Special Topics in Religious Studies: Mindfulness Compassion Training(1)

  • REL-212 Queer Theory and Religion(3)

  • PAX-335 Socially Engaged Spirituality(3)

Choose 9 credits from the following courses: 

  • REL-158W World Wisdom Immersive Weekend (Spring) (1)

  • REL-160 Meditation Practicum I: Freeing the Mind(3)

  • REL-250 Spirituality and Creative Expression(3)

  • REL-255W World Wisdom Immersive Weekend (Fall) (1)

  • REL-271 Christian Prayer and Mystical Practices(3)

  • REL-345 Zen Buddhism(3)

  • TRA-133 Yoga I: Foundations(3)

  • TRA-463 Yoga Meditation(3)

  • COR-440 Capstone II(3)
  • REL-485 BA Wisdom Traditions Retreat(1)

Total: 37 credits

Why Choose Naropa?

Scholar-Practitioner Faculty

At Naropa, you’ll learn from authors and scholars who have contributed widely to the field of religious studies. You’ll study with lineage holders—rabbis, yogis, ministers, and priests—who fully embody the teachings of their belief systems.

Blue brush

Unique Approach

Naropa is the only school in the West with a mission based on mindfulness and contemplative learning. With our religious studies program, you’ll explore religious traditions from Christianity to Sufism, experience contemplative practices from around the world, and examine the role of religion in contemporary culture.

Diversity Focus

Naropa’s commitment to diversity extends to our curriculum. Not only will you learn about many different religious traditions and their communities, but also about differences and cultural contexts within and across them.

Blue brush
A woman is sitting on her knees and leaning forward and to the left with her torso. She's wearing black clothes which are partially stained with clay. There is clay all around her and on her hands and face. She seems to be experimenting with the material.

How this Program Prepares You

Knowledge of Religious Traditions

Students showcase a comprehensive understanding of religious traditions, delving into aspects such as historical context, specialized terminology, and theoretical concepts, and employing critical analysis to deepen their engagement with the subject matter.

Contemplative Practice

Students actively participate in and demonstrate their commitment to contemplative practices, engaging in a variety of reflective activities. Through their involvement, they express a deep connection with these practices, fostering a deeper understanding and integration of contemplation into their personal and academic lives.

Diverse Courses, Varied Careers

Your religious studies degree will include a diversity of courses as rich and varied as jobs for religious studies graduates. Our students read, write, create, and dialogue their way to careers as entrepreneurs, journalists, nonprofit professionals, social workers, and more.

What You'll Learn

Knowledge of self

Dive deep into self-inquiry through our contemplative, Buddhist-inspired approach.

Diversity of Knowledge

Understand and appreciate diverse cultures and beliefs.