University of Mississippi

What you'll study

The BA in Religion combines historical, textual and social-scientific approaches to the study of religion. Core work typically covers methods in religious studies, introduction to world religions, and approaches to the academic study of religion. Students then choose from topical and area-focused courses that reflect faculty strengths.

• Core topics: approaches to the study of religion, research methods, and seminar work that emphasises critical reading and writing.
• Historical and textual studies: Old Testament/Hebrew Bible, New Testament, history of Christianity, and religions of South Asia, East Asia and the Middle East.
• Comparative and thematic courses: comparative religion, ethics and religion, religion and politics, gender and sexuality in religious traditions, and religion and popular culture.
• Regional and contemporary focuses: Islam, Buddhism, Judaism, religions in the American South, religion and race, and contemporary religious movements.
• Research and experiential learning: senior capstone or honours project, independent study options, and opportunities for internships or community-engaged research with local congregations, non-profit organisations or cultural archives.

Students are encouraged to take complementary electives in anthropology, history, philosophy, sociology, political science and languages to broaden comparative skills and methodological training.

Entry requirements

Admission to the University of Mississippi requires a recognised secondary-school qualification with a strong academic record. For the Religion major specifically, there is no special subject prerequisite, but successful applicants typically demonstrate strength in humanities subjects and strong reading and writing skills.

• Domestic applicants: high school diploma with competitive grades; supporting materials include a personal statement and transcripts. Standardised test submission policies may vary; consult the university for current guidance.
• International applicants: equivalent secondary-school qualification and proof of English proficiency where required (for example, TOEFL or IELTS scores as requested by the university).
• Transfer students: college transcripts and a record of collegiate coursework; transfer credit for introductory religion courses is commonly accepted subject to departmental review.

Applicants with particular interest in research or internships should highlight relevant experience or a concise statement of academic interests in their application.

Career prospects

A Religion degree from the University of Mississippi prepares graduates for a wide range of careers that value critical thinking, research and intercultural competence. Many students pursue further study in graduate programmes in religious studies, theology, law, public policy, education or social sciences.

• Common career paths: secondary and higher education (with additional certification or graduate study), social services and non-profit management, community outreach and advocacy, museum and cultural heritage work, journalism and media, and governmental or diplomatic service.
• Other options: roles in interfaith organisations, chaplaincy (often requiring professional theological training), marketing and communications, and business fields that prize analytical writing and ethical reasoning.
• Preparation and support: students can build career-ready skills through internships, writing-intensive courses, research projects and the university career services network.

Why study at University of Mississippi

The University of Mississippi offers a distinctive setting for studying religion, combining strong faculty expertise in several world religions and American religious history with opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration. The department’s emphasis on rigorous textual and social-scientific approaches gives students a flexible foundation for diverse career and graduate-study pathways.

• Faculty and research: access to faculty who work on regional religion, religion and culture, and contemporary religious movements, and opportunities to participate in faculty-led research projects.
• Interdisciplinary links: close connections with programmes in history, anthropology, Southern studies and philosophy, enabling cross-listed courses and joint research opportunities.
• Experiential learning: internships and community partnerships in Oxford and the wider region, plus avenues to work with local archives and cultural centres.
• Campus environment: a residential campus in Oxford that supports small seminar-style classes, student organisations related to religion and ethics, and study-abroad options for immersive language and regional studies.