Video created in collaboration with the Department's Undergraduate Learning Committee; recordings by Sandra Sullivan-Dunbar & Teresa Calpino

All the undergraduate degree programs offered by the Theology Department are designed to provide students with resources for the analysis of religion; for investigation of the sources, historical development and contemporary practices of particular religious traditions, and for the critical appropriation of these traditions for one's personal faith and for sympathetic appreciation of the beliefs of others. Students who major in theology and religious studies may go on to pursue careers or graduate work directly related to their majors. Others will achieve a religious literacy from their coursework that will enable them to apply the knowledge gained to other areas of study, such as health care, political science and global studies, education, the various areas within the humanities, and journalism. 

Majors in Theology and Religious Studies

In December 2023, the Theology Department received permission from Academic Council to revise its undergraduate degree majors in theology and religious studies. Both majors will now offer three distinct tracks that students may undertake – the standard track, an interdisciplinary track, and an honors track.

The new interdisciplinary tracks in theology and religious studies should prove attractive to students majoring in other fields of study who would like to supplement their primary major with a major in Theology. The interdisciplinary tracks in theology and religious studies require that two 300 level elective courses be taken from outside of the major. This requirement ensures that students will have some depth of exposure to a field of study different from theology. For students seeking to double-major in theology, the two 300 level elective courses will count towards both their primary major and the theology major or the religious studies major. This means that only 10 courses in theology or religious studies would be required to complete a double major. Students in the interdisciplinary tracks will also be required to take THEO 280E in which they will undertake a research project that integrates knowledge gained from their coursework in theology or religious studies with that of another discipline.

The new honors tracks in theology and religious studies are more rigorous versions of the standard majors and are intended for students seeking to pursue graduate studies in the field of theology or religious studies or who plan to teach high school. Whereas the standard tracks required that 5 of the 12 courses required for the major must be 300 level or above, the honors tracks require 7 of the 12 courses must be 300 level or higher and require at least a 3.5 GPA in the major and in overall coursework.

Please click on the following links for a synoptic comparison of the requirements for the three tracks for theology and religious studies.

To access the online catalog for more details on the theology and religious studies tracks, please go to:

https://catalog.luc.edu/undergraduate/arts-sciences/theology/#academicstext

Minors in Theology and Religious Studies

A minor in Theology requires 6 courses taken from within the Theology department. In addition to the three required Core-level courses, three electives must be taken at the 300 level.

For the specific requirements for the theology minor, please go to:

https://catalog.luc.edu/undergraduate/arts-sciences/theology/theology-minor/

A minor in Religious Studies requires 6 courses taken from within the Theology department. In addition to the three required Core-level courses, three electives must be taken at the 300 level. Students must study at least two (2) major world religions and take a range of other courses. Each program is individually tailored to fit the student's plans in consultation with the undergraduate program director.

For the specific requirements for the religious studies minor, please go to:

https://catalog.luc.edu/undergraduate/arts-sciences/theology/religious-studies-minor/

Double-Dipping Policy

Please take note of the University's double-dipping policy, which states that students may not major and minor in the same discipline. Follow these guidelines below:

• Majors: Not less than 21 credit hours in the individual student’s transcript must be unique to each major; that is, the courses in question are considered as actually fulfilling requirements of one major, not of more than one major
• Minors and interdisciplinary minors: not less than 8 credit hours in the individual student’s transcript must be unique to each minor; that is, the courses in question are considered as actually fulfilling requirements of one minor, not of more than one minor or major.
• General exceptions to Rules 2 and 3 will be made if approved by the chairs/directors of the department(s)/program(s) housing each affected major and minor. A list of standing general exceptions will be maintained by the Dean's office.
• Individual student exceptions may be made in appropriate cases by department chairs and program directors.
• Departments and Programs may enforce stricter double-dipping policies than those stated above, which also should be provided to the Dean’s Office.

Contact Us
Interested in one of these Majors or Minors? Contact Dr. Lauren O'Connell (loconnell1@luc.edu), the Theology Department's Undergraduate Program Director, or Randall Newman (rnewman2@luc.edu), Program Coordinator.