Online Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies

Total Credit Hours

120

Cost Per Credit Hour

$340*

Understand the Role of Religion in the Development of Profound Human Culture

LSU Alexandria

Earn your Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies from top-ranked LSU Alexandria. Our program allows students to study the major belief systems, spiritual practices, and scriptures that have influenced human history and led to profound human experience. This program instills valuable skills of intercultural fluency and empathetic wisdom. It prepares students for successful careers in a wide range of fields, including ministry, teaching, journalism, politics, education, nonprofit businesses, and publishing. Students are nurtured in self-knowledge and self-confidence. Students acquire the durable skills that employers are looking for: critical and analytical thinking, teamwork, and empathy for self and others. Our students learn how to communicate effectively and respectively.

Program graduates are supported as they advance to a more focused study in graduate school, professional school, chaplain school, or divinity school. Graduates may also pursue a counseling degree at the graduate level. Some of our students simply want to grow in learning about religion for their own self-enrichment. The program is academic in nature and does not cater to any particular religion or denomination. Students are taught to think for themselves and to develop their own views.

Application Deadline

Apr 6, 2026

Classes Begin

May 11, 2026

* Beginning Fall 1 2026, all LSUA fully online programs are expected to increase by 4% (tuition and fees).

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Earn a degree on your time

LSUA's online programs provide you the opportunity to synchronously interact with instructors (in real-time) via video conferencing and other technologies in a flexible format that fits your busy schedule.

Continuous Support

You receive continuous support from the moment you apply, all the way through graduation, with a dedicated Coach.

Comprehensive course offerings

This program, developed by experienced faculty, explores the rituals, sacred texts, and practices that shape culture and human experience. Students will study the history of religions as well as the practices of religion. In addition will learn about mystics, Sufis, gurus, bodhisattvas, and saints and gain opportunities to explore spiritual practices promoting peace and happiness.

Top ranked

LSUA is ranked in the Top 30 of Best Online Colleges by Niche.com for 2025.

Omega Nu Lambda Online Honors Society

Students enrolled in this program are eligible for membership in the Omega Nu Lambda (ONL) Honor Society. Created to recognize the academic excellence of online students, ONL provides access to exclusive networking opportunities, scholarships, and a lifelong community of like-minded achievers. Enrich your college experience and connect with peers globally through Omega Nu Lambda!

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Cost Online Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies

Total credit hours per program: 120 credit hours

Cost per credit hour: $340

Total cost with fees and maximum amount of credits allowed to transfer into the program: $10,200

Total cost with fees: $40,800

The final cost of this program will be determined once all transfer credits are evaluated. Transfer credits may apply for up to 75% of degree requirements. Your academic advisor will work with you to determine if and how any prior college credits or industry credentials earned will apply toward your LSUA degree. For further information about the approval for transfer credits and other requirements, please visit this site.

Financial aid is available to those who qualify.

The total cost above does not include transfer credit or financial aid. Cost per credit hour and fees are subject to change. Fee schedules may vary by program depending on course-specific fees for proctoring and/or books. Please contact a Student Success Coach for more information.

Course Listings Online Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies

General Education Requirements

ENGL 1001 English Composition I | 3 Credit Hours
ENGL 1002 English Composition II | 3 Credit Hours
General Education Social Science | 6 Credit Hours
General Education Math | 6 Credit Hours
General Education Biology | 3 Credit Hours
General Education Natural Sciences | 6 Credit Hours
General Education Communications | 3 Credit Hours
General Education Philosophy | 3 Credit Hours
General Education History | 3 Credit Hours
General Education Fine Arts | 3 Credit Hours

Major Requirements

RELG 1004 - Old Testament | Credit Hours: 3
RELG 1005 - Introduction to New Testament | Credit Hours: 3
RELG 2025 - World Religion | Credit Hours: 3
RELG 3029 - Judaism, Christianity, and Islam | Credit Hours: 3
RELG 3030 - Religion in America | Credit Hours: 3
RELG 4010 - History of Christian Thought to the 16th Century | Credit Hours: 3
RELG 4027 - Asian Religions | Credit Hours: 3
Religious Studies Electives | Credit Hours: 9

Additional Requirements

Foreign Language Electives Credits: 6
Free Electives/Completion of Minor Credits: 45

Admission Requirements Online Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies

For university acceptance, first-time freshman must meet the following criteria:

Complete high school Core curriculum for college readiness in place at time of high school graduation
Not be required to take more than one developmental course
Have a high school grade point average of at least 2.0
Meet one of the following:
- Have an ACT composite of 20 or higher
- Have a high school Core grade point average of at least 2.0

Transfer students to LSUA must meet one of the following sets of criteria:

Have earned a transferable associate degree or higher
Have earned at least 18 hours of college-level credit, including a college-level English and college-level mathematics course, with a grade of “C” or higher in each, and an overall GPA of at least 2.0
Have earned at least 12 hours of college-level credit from LSUE or CLTCC Bridge Program, including a college-level English and college-level mathematics course, with a grade of “C” or higher in each, and an overall GPA of at least 2.0.
If the above are not met, meet freshman admission requirements and be in good standing with their previous institution

Career Opportunities Online Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies

What Will I Learn? Online Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies

Students who graduate with an online degree in religious studies will gain an interdisciplinary education that allows them to develop practical and durable skills of intercultural fluency, empathetic wisdom, and effective communication while gaining an understanding of the major religious belief systems and practices.

Student learning outcomes:

Graduates will write clearly and effectively for a variety of purposes and audiences.
Graduates will interpret religions critically and academically, taking into account cultural and historical contexts.

Why Choose This Program? Online Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies

Why choose LSUA’s online Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies?

Students interested in preparing for careers in teaching, ministry, public service, or counseling can greatly benefit from this degree program. LSUA’s affordable online religious studies degree provides students the necessary foundation to understand the major religious belief systems, their practices, and their histories.

The coursework builds transferable skills such as reading, writing, and research, so graduates can also pursue several other careers or graduate school if they choose. The program also benefits students who just want to learn about religion in order to expand their knowledge and enrich their experience. As classes are 100% online, the program is ideal for working professionals or other nontraditional students.

Credit for Prior Learning Online Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies

BA Religious Studies students may earn credit for prior learning through the following military occupations or training:

Expeditionary Training for Chaplains | up to 3 RELG elective credits
Religious Affairs Specialist / NCO SLC OR Chaplain Assistant SLC | up to 6 RELG elective credits
Religious Affairs Specialist / NCO ALC Chaplain Assistant ALC | 3 RELG elective credits
Operational Religious Support Leader | up to 3 RELG elective credits
Religious Affairs Specialist | up to 3 RELG elective credits
Chaplain Basic Officer Leader (BOLC-A) OR Chaplain Direct Commission | up to 6 RELG elective credits

Important: Credit for prior learning is not guaranteed. Each request is reviewed by faculty and must meet specific requirements established by the academic department. You must be fully admitted and in good academic standing before applying for a PLA. Fees associated with prior learning assessments are set by the campus registrar in accordance with university policy and are non-refundable

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