The study of religion at Luther College is interdisciplinary in nature, drawing on and engaging with a wide range of disciplines including history, political science, philosophy, sociology, psychology, classics, and the natural sciences. For this reason, our program prepares students for diverse careers by helping you develop competency in multiple disciplines.

Diverse Career Options

If you are interested in the study of religion but are not planning to pursue a career in professional ministry, consider the many different professions that need people with a solid education in religious studies.

• Journalists with knowledge of the histories and practices of different religious traditions can play a vital role in making sure that current events involving religion are covered accurately.
• Medical doctors and nurses with a religion major or minor are better able to offer a holistic approach to treatment that takes seriously the diverse religious and spiritual needs of their patients.
• The U.S. Government regularly seeks employees in agencies such as the State Department or CIA with training in the study of religion who can aid in formulating foreign policy that takes account of the role religion plays in the world.

These are just a few of the many careers in which you might benefit from a major or minor in religion.

Professional Ministry and Graduate Study in Religion

If professional ministry is your vocational goal, the department will help you prepare for professional degrees at seminaries and divinity schools. Our pre-ministry coordinator can provide you information on the many schools our graduates have gone on to attend, including ELCA seminaries, such as Luther Seminary and The Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago (LSTC), and divinity schools, such as Harvard Divinity School and Vanderbilt Divinity School. Some of our students have also developed interests in teaching and research and have gone on to study in prominent doctoral programs across the country. 

Careers of Luther Religion Grads

Here's how a few Luther religion graduates are employed:

• Administrator
• Attorney
• Business manager
• Chaplain
• City official
• Clergy
• Coordinator
• Counselor
• Editor
• Educational counselor
• Elementary school teacher
• Librarian
• Media specialist
• Recreation worker
• Religion professor
• Sales representative
• Social worker
• Speech pathologist
• Teacher
• Therapist
• Youth director
• Volunteer