Secondary Education Concentration for Religious Studies Majors*

*This program is not accepting incoming students as new majors. The minor is open to all students.

Religious studies majors who plan to teach in a parochial school may wish to complete a concentration in secondary education.

Students who elect this concentration must complete the following courses in addition to those required for the major in religious studies.

Requirements for the Major in Religious Studies
(all courses 3 credits unless noted)

SECONDAY EDUCATION COURSES (13–22 credits)

• REL 208 - Contemporary Approaches to Religious Development
• SEC 389 - Seminar in Secondary Education
• SEC 303 - Reading and Writing in the Content Areas
• REL 313 - Religious Education Field Experience (1 credit)
• REL 490 - Practicum in Religious Education (3–12 credits)

DEVELOPMENTAL COURSES
Choose two of the following:

• REL 109 - Moral Matters
• REL 110 - The Search for Meaning
• REL 121 - Introduction to the Christian Tradition
• REL 214 - The Catholic Church in America

THE CATHOLIC SOCIAL JUSTICE TRADITION
Choose one of the following:

• REL 211 - Faith and Justice
• REL 225 - Catholic Social Thought and Practice
• H REL 301 - Honors Religious Studies: Heroes of Conscience
• REL 316 - Liberation Theologies

RELIGION IN AMERICA
Choose one of the following:

• H REL 220 - Honors Religious Studies: Religious Folklife
• REL 221 - Religion in America
• REL 223 - Church and State: A U.S. Perspective
• H REL 312 - Honors Religious Studies: Sects and Cults in American Religion

JUNIOR-YEAR COURSE 
Taught by one of the full-time faculty members

REL 444 - Senior Seminar 
Capstone guided reading and research 

Religious Studies Electives (6 credits) 

Electives, selected from any departments (51–65 credits) 

Total credits for major
with secondary education concentration: 37–46

• No courses in the major or minor may be taken under the pass/fail option. 
• A QPA of 2.67 is required in religious studies courses for the major.
• No religious studies course with a grade of C or below can be credited to the major.

Transfer student coursework will be evaluated by the department chair to develop a timetable for completion of the major or minor in religious studies.

Note: The programs are designed on an individual basis, under the direction of the department chair.

Students planning to teach in the elementary schools of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia should complete 18 hours in Catholic theology or religious education.