Extended Accelerator Program (EAP) combines language, culture and academics to give students a deep understanding of life in and out of the American classroom and includes personalized English-language instruction and tutoring.

As a student in the Extended Accelerator, you’ll get:

• A contextual curriculum that mixes language, culture and academics
• Exclusive access to a course focusing on life in the U.S. and in the local community
• A full year’s worth of college credits
• Extensive English-language tutoring, academic advising and student support
• Personalized English-language support specific to the classes you take

The study of religion provides insight into the fascinating variety of ways in which people live their lives in light of the sacred. With an emphasis on critical and careful thinking, honest analysis, and an openness to learning about new ideas, Religious Studies is a dynamic and necessarily multidisciplinary field involving ideas and methods drawn from philosophy, anthropology, history, art, literature, sociology and theology, among other fields. It is also of critical importance in understanding a range of complex social issues spanning nearly every aspect of life, including politics, ethnicity, economics, public policy and family life.

As a religious studies major, you will explore the many roles religion has played and continues to play both in society and in individual people's lives. Whether it is Zen monks, ancient Christian martyrs, Muslim and Jewish women, Hindu saints or Chinese philosophers, our courses introduce you to people and phenomena from all over the world. Learning about religion provides an opportunity to explore different cultures and develop a more global perspective.

Religious studies courses help to develop your critical-thinking abilities, your analytical reading and writing skills and your capacity for interpretation and comparison, abilities that are essential in every field of study. Through Maymester programs and study abroad opportunities, students have been able to travel to India, China, Japan, Greece, Turkey and elsewhere.

Typical courses for religious studies majors include:

• Exploring Religions
• Hebrew Bible
• New Testament
• Introduction to Islam
• Introduction to African-American Religions
• Morality, Ethics, and Religion
• Religion, Medicines, and Healing
• Religions of South Asia
• Religion and Science: Human Questions
• Psychology of Religion

A major in religious studies can prepare you for careers in:

• Pastoral ministry
• College teaching
• Mission work
• Business administration
• Social work