Best Online Bachelor’s in Comparative Religion Programs

An Online Bachelor’s in Comparative Religion deals with the comparison of core principles, origins, and practices distinctive to the main world religion like Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, Christianity, and Islam.

The program also studies the prehistoric Middle Eastern and Mediterranean peoples’ religions. This program discusses the ancient the present tribal faiths, cultic movements, and modern sectarian in detail.

Ancient and present tribal faiths and modern sectarian and cultic movements are also discussed in detail. One of the main topics of discussion in this program is The Abrahamic religions which are Judaism, Islam, and Christianity. These three religions have similar opinions about the function and nature of God.

Graduates of this program pursue employment immediately in entry-level jobs, such as administrative and executive assistants. They can also gain employment in counseling, public relations, and teaching.

If you are a student who is interested in a bachelor’s degree in a comparative religion program, the most important thing to consider is the quality of education as it affects employment opportunities after graduation.

This article contains a list of carefully curated colleges that offer the best online bachelor’s in Comparative Religion Programs.

Best Online Bachelor’s in Comparative Religion Programs

1. Florida International University

Florida International University was founded in 1965, it was Miami’s first public research university.

The university’s online bachelor’s in religious studies comprises 36 credits of major-related courses, including core classes in indigenous Abrahamic religions; Asian religions; and other religions; and society, culture, and ethics. Students are also required to complete a capstone course.

Applicants are required to submit standardized test scores. Transfer students with associate degrees from a Florida public institution are automatically qualified and meet lower-division university requirements. The tuition rate is higher for Out-of-state learners than in-state students.

FIU holds regional accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

2. University of Central Florida

The University of Central Florida located in Orlando, the University of Central Florida enrolls over 69,000 students and awards over 16,000 degrees each academic year.

Students who are interested in earning a bachelor’s in comparative religion can enroll in the college’s online religion and cultural studies program, this program prepares students for careers as foreign service officers, volunteer coordinators, clergy members, and humanitarian workers.

Online learners are required to complete a senior research seminar as a capstone project.

Core courses covered in this program include critical theory in the humanities; philosophy, religion, and the environment; key figures in religion and cultural studies, and religion and psychoanalysis.

First-time applicants and transfer applicants must submit standardized test scores. Florida residents receive a discounted tuition rate, tuition rate is higher for students who live outside of Florida.

UCF holds regional accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

3. Athens State University

Athens State University based in Alabama enrolls over 3,000 students. The university’s coursework is only offered at the junior, senior, and graduate levels.

The school’s online bachelor’s in Religion is a degree completion program. Core courses cover the essentials of biblical studies, sociology of religion, moral values in today’s society, and introduction to Christian thought.

Students must also complete a religious studies capstone course and take an exit exam as graduation requirements.

Applicants are required to have at least 36 transferable credits, 15 of which meet general university requirements, and an of minimum 2.0 GPA.

Alabama residents receive a discounted tuition rate, while non-resident students of Alabama pay a higher tuition rate.

Athens State holds regional accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

4. Eastern New Mexico University

Eastern New Mexico University located in Portales, features over 90 programs and reports a 97% student satisfaction rate. The university offers an online bachelor’s in religion as a bachelor of science or a bachelor of arts program.

The Bachelor of Arts program requires a foreign language component, while the Bachelor of  Science curriculum includes more math and science classes.

Students in either program take classes synchronously and asynchronously through Blackboard — ENMU’s online learning platform.  Core courses covered in this program include the history of religion in America, the New Testament, the history of Christianity, and principles of textual interpretation.

First-time applicants are required to submit standardized test scores. In-state and out-of-state distance learners pay the same tuition rate.

Eastern New Mexico University holds regional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission.

5. California State University

California State University, Chico enrolls over 16,000 students, the school offers many undergraduate and graduate programs which include an online bachelor’s in religious studies that serves as a degree completion program. Only students with at least 60 credits of completed college coursework are eligible to apply.

Students pursuing this degree take core courses like religion and nature; Judaism, religion, politics, and conflict; Christianity, and Islam since the Crusades; and theories and criticisms of religion.

The program also requires participants to complete a capstone course as a graduation requirement. The online program takes two years to complete and they may transfer up to 70 credits.

Chico State holds regional accreditation from the WASC Senior College and University Commission.

6. Chaminade University

The Chaminade University of Honolulu enrolls about 2,200 learners annually. The school offers an online bachelor’s in religious studies.  The program covers core courses in science, religion, and the modern prospect; Jesus, God, and man; Hebrew scriptures the Christian God, and the human experience.

Students enrolled in this program must complete a capstone project in transformational leadership or a senior seminar. Graduates can go on to teach in religious schools, enter a seminary, or enroll in graduate school.

Applicants are required to have a minimum 2.5 GPA and they must also submit standardized test scores. Chaminade holds regional accreditation from the  WASC Senior College and University Commission.

7. Saint Leo University

Saint Leo University based in central Florida, Saint Leo University is the oldest Catholic institution in the state. The university enrolls over 13,000 students online.

The college offers a wide variety of online offerings including a bachelor of arts in religion, this program features classes in the foundations of theological, moral, and spiritual aspects of marriage and sexuality; and women in the church, and Christian faith.

Students who earn this bachelor’s degree can pursue careers as religious education directors and conflict resolution specialists. Graduates can also further their education by pursuing a master’s in religion or a related field.

The program accepts applications on a rolling basis. Applicants are required to have a high school diploma or a GED certificate.

Saint Leo holds regional accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

8. Arizona State University

Arizona State University located in Scottsdale graduates over 20,000 students each school year. The school’s online bachelor’s in religious studies features core classes in American religious traditions; religion and popular culture; religions of the world; and women, gender, and religion.

Students are also required to complete a pair of capstone seminar courses, where they develop research skills and then produce an original project in religious studies. Graduates of the program can gain employment as religious education directors and counselors.

First-year applicants are required to meet at least one of the following requirements: place in the top 25% of their high school graduating class, meet minimum ACT or SAT score requirements, and have a minimum 3.0 GPA in competency classes.

ASU holds regional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission.

9. Liberty University

Liberty University based in Lynchburg, Virginia, offers over 450 online programs including an online bachelor’s in religion which requires an average of 31/2 to complete.

Students can choose between nine different specializations including Christian counseling, global studies, biblical and theological studies, and Christian leadership. Graduates of this program gain employment to work at local churches and nonprofit organizations.

All applicants are required to have a minimum of 2.0 GPA. Active-duty military members,  discharged, and retired service members receive a discounted tuition rate.

Liberty holds regional accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

10. King University

King University based in Bristol, Tennessee,  offers over 90 undergraduate and graduate degree programs.

Students who are interested in earning an online bachelor’s degree in comparative religion may be interested in King’s bachelor’s in religious studies as it comes highly ranked and recommended.

The curriculum of this program includes core classes like introduction to theology and theological thinking, understanding the world’s religions, religion, and politics in a global context, and the life and teachings of Jesus.

This program typically takes about 16 months to complete and each class lasts about five weeks. Graduates of this program can pursue careers as counselors, and religious historians.

Applicants are required to have a high school diploma or GED certificate with a minimum GPA of 2.2.

King holds regional accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.