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Religious Studies Outcomes & Career Options

 Religious Studies graduates are prepared to serve as Bible workers, religious activity and education workers, and other similar occupations. The Religious Studies major also provides an excellent foundation for students pursuing post-baccalaureate study in such professional areas as health, law, education, and seminary. 

Spiritual Formation

Among Student Learning Outcomes for academic and pre-professional programs in the Undergraduate Department of Religion:

Students will be aware of and informed regarding spiritual and religious experience and expression and will explore the nature of spirituality and its expression—they will demonstrate the value of personal spiritual formation in a holistic context.

Students in the Undergraduate Department of Religion experience a deepened spiritual awareness through activities inside and outside classes. Spiritual formation is foundational to the church and its life. Courses offered address Christian spirituality in the context of faith development. The curriculum is designed to afford students opportunities to deepen their spiritual awareness in classes directly related to the history, theology and practice of spirituality. The course offerings for undergraduate students that are related to topics of spirituality and the dynamics of Christian formation practices include the following:

  • RELG 267 Religious Faith and Life
  • RELP 345 Spiritual Formation
  • RELT 205 Dynamics of Personal Religion
  • RELT 464 Religious Development and Moral Learning

In addition to the student’s regular weekly worship in the church of their choice, campus-related opportunities for strengthening spirituality include devotional gatherings like:

  • weekly dormitory worship services Wednesday evenings at 10:00 p.m. for our residential students
  • weekly University worships Thursdays at 11:00 a.m. in the La Sierra University Church quarterly Divinity School Assembly meetings in Angwin Hall Dormitory Chapel
  • annual School one-day Fall Retreats at the California Citrus State Historic Park
  • annual School graduating-student consecration service in Matheson Hall

There are also regular staff devotional meetings for students doing field study. The extra-curricular opportunities for rest and rejuvenating the spirit are provided by the Spiritual Life office and other campus resources.

Educational Qualifications

Some entry-level Bible worker positions may require bachelor degrees in a related subject area. In addition to a major in Religious Studies, prospective pastors are encouraged to pursue pre-professional study in the Pre-Seminary Program and prospective teachers are encouraged to pursue a teaching credential program.

Job Outlook

According to the California Career Resource Network, there were approximately 7,500 directors of religious activities and education in the state of California during 2010. This figure may rise to 8,300 in 2020.

Entering Salary

According to the California Career Resource Network, directors of religious activities and education earned an average annual wage of $48,570 in the state of California during 2012. Most earned salaries ranging between $27,530 and $74,450. According to the Southeastern California Conference, Bible workers may earn $600-$1,200 every two weeks, depending on the duties assigned by the individual church.
The median annual wage for anthropologists and archeologists was $61,220 in May 2015. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $35,440, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $97,040.
According to the California Career Resource Network, Clergy earned an average annual wage of $56,520 in the state of California during 2012. Most earned salaries ranging between $22,170 and $95,220. According to the Southeastern California Conference, Bible workers may earn $600-$1,200 every two weeks, depending on the duties assigned by the individual church.

Sources:

Academic program information adapted from:
La Sierra University. (2016-2017). Undergraduate Academic Bulletin. Retrieved from http://www.lasierra.edu/bulletin

Career information adapted from:
California Career Resource Network. (2014). California CareerZone. Retrieved from https://www.cacareerzone.org

Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2016-17 Edition, Anthropologists and Archeologists, on the Internet at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/anthropologists-and-archeologists.htm (visited October 13, 2016).

Contact and Location

religion@lasierra.edu
(951) 785-2041
La Sierra Hall, Room 205

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