Religious Studies Degree

The religious studies program at Central Michigan University prepares students for careers in variety of careers, such as law, medicine, government, and business. The program focuses on the nature of religious belief and specific religious and quasi-religious systems. Program courses include: phenomenology, sociology, psychology, philosophy, anthropology, literature and art of religion, mythology, scriptural and textual studies, religious history and politics, and specific studies of particular faith communities and their behavior. Get more details below including other Michigan colleges that offer religious studies degrees.

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Central Michigan University (MSP)

26811 Orchard Lake Rd., Farmington Hills, MI

Central Michigan University (CMU) is a public research university located in Mount Pleasant, Michigan. It is situated on a park-like campus of more than 400 acres.  CMU offers more than 200 academic degree programs at the bachelor's, master's and doctoral levels. CMU also offers professional degrees.  CMU has built its reputation as a large university with a small college feeling, and a focus on student leadership and civic engagement.

In addition to its main Mount Pleasant Campus, CMU offers programs at more than 60 locations throughout Michigan, the U.S., and the world. It offers online courses for distance learning in many degree programs. CMU was named a "military-friendly" university by magazines such as G.I. Jobs and Advanced Military Education.

The faculty and programs at CMU are considered top-notch, and CMU is ranked in the top 20 research institutions in the U.S.  One of its research programs is involved in helping the Pentagon develop a filtration technology system to remove hazardous materials and contaminants from water.

History

Central Michigan University was founded in 1892 as the Central Michigan Normal School and Business Institute. It offered courses in teaching, business and stenography, with formal teacher training as the primary focus.  Classes were originally held in second-floor rooms in an office building in downtown Mount Pleasant. Land was acquired in 1894, and the first school buildings were constructed on the current campus.

By 1909, many of the first teachers trained at "Central" were teaching in schools across the U.S., and also in Canada, Puerto Rico and the Philippines. By 1910, the school had expanded its offering of academic study programs. By 1918, Central was offering its first bachelor's degree.  As programs developed and expanded over the years, the name of the school changed several times, until it became Central Michigan University.

Academics

The academic calendar for Central Michigan University follows the semester format, with fall (August - December), spring (January - May) and summer (May - August) semesters.  Online programs have shorter terms throughout the year so students can move through their programs relatively quickly.

Colleges and Schools

CMU designates its colleges and schools as "academic units," as follows:

• College of Business Administration
• College of Communication and Fine Arts
• College of Education and Human Services
• College of Humanities and Social and Behavioral Sciences
• College of Science and Technology
• The Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow College of Health Professions
• College of Graduate Studies
• College of Medicine

Academic programs at CMU are organized into the following categories:

• American Indian Studies
• Business Administration
• Communications
• Health-related
• Human Services
• Interdisciplinary
• Liberal and Fine Arts
• Pre-Professional
• Science and Technology
• Teacher Education

Student Life

Students are very engaged at CMU, with senior-level students exceeding that national average for participation in co-curricular activities by nearly 20 percent. There are many student clubs, groups and organizations on the CMU campus, and many opportunities for involvement. Leadership opportunities are many, and at least 70 percent of CMU students volunteer or participate in community service during their time on campus.

CMU has many dining services on campus and 22 residence halls with many different options for campus living.  There is always ample space for first-year students, who are encouraged to live on campus to get the full college experience.

Athletics

Some of CMU's athletic teams are champions, with the wrestling team winning 12 out of 13 championships. In 2011, the women's soccer team is ranked number one for the sixth consecutive year. CMU's athletic teams compete in 16 intercollegiate sports, including:

Men's Sports:

• Baseball
• Basketball
• Cross Country
• Football
• Indoor/Outdoor Track
• Wrestling

Women's Sports:

• Basketball
• Cross Country
• Field Hockey
• Gymnastics
• Indoor/Outdoor Track
• Soccer
• Softball
• Volleyball

Satellite Campuses

CMU has thousands of students around the world enrolled in degree programs through CMU Online.  In addition to its online programs and it flagship campus in Mount Pleasant, Michigan, CMU has 17 "off campus locations" in Michigan. It also has many satellite campuses or "off campus locations" in other states and countries including:

• CMU in Metro Detroit (Several locations in Detroit, MI)
• Camp Pendleton Center (Oceanside, CA)
• Minot AFB Center (North Dakota)
• Offutt AFB Center (Nebraska)
• Fort Leavenworth Center (Kansas)
• Fort Riley Center (Kansas)
• Fort Polk Center (Louisiana)
• Columbus Center (Ohio)
• Wright Patterson AFB Center (Ohio)
• Defense Supply Center - Philadelphia (Pennsylvania)
• Fort Hamilton Center (New York)
• Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst (New Jersey)
• Aberdeen Proving Ground Center (Maryland)
• Andrews AFB Center (Maryland)
• Fort Meade Center (Maryland)
• Seymour Johnson AFB Center (North Carolina)
• Kinston Center (North Carolina)
• CMU in Georgia (Several locations in Atlanta, Georgia)
• CMU in Metro DC (7 locations in Washington, DC)
• CMU in Virginia (6 locations in Virginia)
• Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam (Hawaii)
• Schofield Center, Schofield Education Center (Hawaii)
• Tripler Army Medical Center - Tripler (Hawaii)
• CMU at George Brown College (Toronto, Canada)
• CMU at Georgian College (Ontario, Canada)
• CMU at Humber College (Toronto, Canada)
• CMU at Loyalist College (Ontario, Canada)
• CMU at Red River College (Winnipeg, Canada)
• CMU at Universidad Autonoma de Guadalajara (Mexico)

Students Enrolled in the Religious Studies Program

Get more details below regarding enrollment, academics, and school demographics. MSP offers a bachelor's degree program in religious studies.

Students by Gender (2019)

Students by Race (2019)

Source: IPEDS Survey 2012-2020: Data obtained from the US Dept. of Education's Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). Data may vary depending on school and academic year.

Career Options for Graduates

Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary

Description

Teach courses in philosophy, religion, and theology. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

Career Outlook & Projections ()

According to the BLS, philosophy and religion teachers, postsecondary employment is expected to grow at a rate of 11.6% from 2014 to 2024

Salary & Wages

• Detroit-Dearborn-Livonia, MI Metropolitan Division
  • Total Employment: 50
  • Average Annual Salary: $84150

Source: Job descriptions, estimated salary and wages, and projected job growth are taken from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).