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College of Arts & Sciences

Spirituality and Religion

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Why pursue a spirituality and religion degree at North Central College?

An undergraduate degree in Spirituality and Religion promotes personal growth and helps prepare students for a wide range of careers and life circumstances. Within the Spirituality and Religion major and minor, you will learn to engage with sacred texts, historical voices, and contemporary sources with a critical eye. You’ll discuss life’s big questions and draw from the wisdom of different cultural traditions. You’ll reflect on your spiritual past and build a vision for your spiritual future.

At North Central College, you’ll also work closely with faculty to explore how spirituality and religion interact with other fields, like philosophy, history, psychology, neuroscience, environmental studies, anthropology, and sociology. As an expert at evaluating, reasoning, and navigating through complex issues, Spirituality and Religion majors add value to a wide range of environments.

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN

  • Examining the spiritual dimension of our personal and communal lives
  • Preparing for a leadership role within a religious group, the non-profit sector, international business, or another career that requires cultural literacy
  • Learning about spiritual practices and religious teachings within Christianity and other worldviews

then this degree might be for you.

Why study spirituality and religion at North Central College?

In the Classroom

Coursework topics:

  • Wisdom, Worldviews, and Wonder
  • Nature and Well Being
  • Christian Spirituality
  • Introduction to the Bible
  • Jesus
  • Religion and Healthcare
  • Suffering and Meaning
  • Death and Dying
  • Hollywood, Values and Religion
  • Vices and Virtues

Beyond the Classroom

As a spirituality and religion major, you can:

  • Apply for internships and jobs through robust faculty and alumni networks or the Center for Career and Professional Development.
  • Engage in Breakaway community service projects.
  • Begin graduate-level coursework at Garrett- Evangelical Theological Seminary, with up to 15 hours of elective credit put towards your undergraduate and graduate degrees.
  • Participate in Focus, Catholic Cardinals, Orthodox Christian Fellowship, the Muslim Student Association, Witches Brew, or other student groups centered on faith and spiritual life.

 

More Department information

 

Spirituality and Religion, B.A.

Students critically explore spirituality and religion through a variety of academic methods and experiential opportunities. Engaging with various worldviews provides a foundation for developing a deeper understanding of diverse cultural perspectives.

For additional programs and courses in this department, see Philosophy and Spirituality & Religion.

A minimum of 32 credit hours, including:

Required Courses

Spirituality and Religion Electives

20 credit hours of SPRE elective courses with at least four credit hours at the 300-level or above.

Additional Elective

Complete four additional credit hours of SPRE or from the following approved elective courses:

Students must demonstrate elementary competence in a foreign language. For more information, see the B.A. Degree Requirements within the Academic Regulations section of this catalog.

Spirituality and Religion Minor

For additional programs and courses in this department, see Philosophy and Spirituality & Religion.

A minimum of 16 credit hours, including:

Spirituality and Religion Electives

Twelve credit hours of SPRE elective courses with at least four credit hours at the 300-level or above.

Additional Elective

Complete four additional credit hours of SPRE or from the following approved elective courses:

Spirituality and Religion Internships and Jobs

A North Central education integrates career preparation with rich academic study. By gaining your spirituality and religion degree, you will foster a deeper understanding of other cultures and their religious traditions. Our faculty encourages you to refine and apply your knowledge in an interconnected world. Here you'll learn to think independently and work globally to solve problems and lead.

Internships

  • Assistant program director, Mountain Tennessee Outreach Project, Coalmont, TN
  • Intern, Junior/Senior Scholars, Naperville
  • Intern, Humanitarian Service Project, Carol Stream, IL 

Graduate School

Recent graduates have been accepted at:

  • Princeton Theological Seminary
  • Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary
  • Chicago Theological Seminary
  • Vanderbilt University
  • DePaul University
  • Illinois State University

Careers

Recent graduates include:

  • Executive Director, Center for Faith and Human Rights
  • Professor of Law, DePaul University
  • Associate Porfessor, Garrett- Evangelical Theological Seminary
  • Senior Manager, Disney Corporation
  • CEO, Tri-State Media Ministry
  • Acute Care Social Worker, Middleton VA Medical Center
  • Chaplain, Springfield Memorial Center

Invest in your future

Choosing the right college is a big decision. Don’t make it alone. North Central’s admission and financial aid team is here to help you design a financial aid solution that works best for you and your family.

Merit scholarships, grants, loans, campus employment - these are just some of the resources available to you. Over 95 percent of students and 100 percent of all eligible students receive aid. Let our team partner with you in finding the best value for your education.

Learn more about financial aid and costs for North Central College

Apply to North Central College

The first step to becoming a North Central student is reading the application instructions specific to you. Find out everything you need to know about applying by selecting the group you belong to below.