Bachelor of Arts in History of Religions
Bachelor of Arts in History of Religions
The Bachelor of Arts in History of Religions provides a broad-based exposure to the history of religions from the perspective of the classical Christian tradition from a Lutheran perspective, while also equipping students to apply what they learn for themselves and for the benefit of the church and the world.
Program Overview
Zero Student Debt
Our goal is for every student to graduate with no debt. Our donor-sponsored financial assistance makes that possible.
Total: $0.00
Tuition
$400 per Credit Hour
*Tuition cost is subject to change. Additional costs may apply.
Total: $48,000
Requirements
Broad-based, foundational course of study for high school graduates who want to pursue undergrad-level studies in the history of religions.
Total: 120 Credits
Expected Timeline
Full-time students can finish this degree in 4 years and part-time students can take up to 6 years.
Total: 4-6 Years
*Additional costs may apply. (Application fee, books, costs associated with researching and producing the independent projects or the final project or thesis, etc.) are also the responsibility of the participant.
Course of Study
| Course Requirements | Credit Hours |
| General Studies: A Total of 30 Credits from the Following Subjects: | |
| Communications | 6 Credits |
| Humanities/Fine Arts | 12 Credits |
| Natural Science/Mathematics | 6 Credits |
| Social/Behavioral Sciences | 6 Credits |
| Bible/Theology General Studies: A Total of 30 Credits from the Following Subjects: | |
| Biblical Theology (BT) | 21 Credits |
| Historical and Systematic Theology (HST) | 9 Credits |
| History of Religions Major: A Total of 18 Credits | |
| Choose One (1) Emphasis within the History of Religions Minor from the Following: A Total of 24 Credits | |
| Eastern Religions | 24 Credits |
| Western Religions | 24 Credits |
| Professional Skills: A Total of 18 Credits | |
| Total | 120 Credits |
*All work must be in the student’s field of study.
General Studies (30 Credits)
Communications (6 Credits):
- COM 101: Academic Research & Writing
- COM 102: Introduction to Communications
Humanities/Fine Arts (12 Credits):
At Least Two (2) Courses from:
- CLS 111-2: Latin I, II
- CLS 121-2: Classical Greek I, II
- BT 201-3: Biblical Greek I, II, III
- BT 211-2: Biblical Hebrew I, II
- PHL 101-2: Logic I, II
At Least Two (2) Courses from:
- LIT 201-2: World Literature I, II
- HIS 211-2: History of Western Civilization I, II
- PHL 210-1: Intro to Western Philosophy I, II
- PHL 221: Intro to Eastern Philosophy
- REL 231: Intro to World Religions
Natural Science/Mathematics (6 Credits):
- MTH 131: Foundations of Mathematics
One (1) Elective from:
- MTH 231: College Geometry
- SCI 221: Intro to Natural Science
- SCI 222: Intro to Physics
Social/Behavioral Sciences (6 Credits QRV):
Two (2) Courses in Social/Behavioral Sciences:
- PSY 261: Intro to Psychology
- SOC 251: Cultural Anthropology
- SOC 271: Intro to Sociology
- SOC 281: Intro to Political Science/Civics
Bible/Theology General Requirements (30 Credits):
- BT 221: Principles of Biblical Interpretation
- BT 311: Old Testament Theology and History
- BT 321: New Testament Theology and History
- BT 351: Life and Theology of Moses
- BT 352: Life and Theology of David
- BT 353: Life and Theology of Jesus
- BT 354: Life and Theology of Paul
History of Religions Major (18 Credits)
- PHL 403: Philosophy of Religion
- PHL 221: Intro to Eastern Philosophy
- REL 231: Intro to World Religions
- HIS 305: Biblical History I: Near Eastern Empires
- HIS 306: Biblical History II: The Rise of Hellenic and Roman Empires
- HIS 307: Biblical History III: The Religions of the Ancient Near East
History of Religions Minor (24 Credits)
Eastern Religions
- REL 251: Religions of Ancient China
- REL 252: Religions and Philosophies of Ancient India
- REL 253: Taoism, Confucianism, and Shintoism
- REL 254: Hinduism I
- REL 255: Hinduism II
- REL 256: Buddhism I
- REL 257: Buddhism II
- REL 266: Syncretic Divisions
Western Religions
- REL 258: Hellenic Religions
- REL 259: Religions of Northern Europe
- REL 260: Early Judaism
- REL 261: Modern Judaism
- REL 262: Early Islam
- REL 263: Modern Islam
- REL 264: African Traditional Religions
- REL 265: Traditional Religions of the Americas
Skills Courses (18 Credits):
- COM 201: Theological Writing
- PT 451: Youth and Family Ministry
- EDU 101: Introduction to Education
- PT 452: Christian Education for the Parish
- PT 453: Evangelism for Home, Work, and Community
Senior Project (Optional):
A senior project is a 30-page (7,500-word) academic paper.
Senior Project Research course (BT, PTE, or HST 498)
This is a readings course on the student’s proposed senior project topic. The student and his or her primary faculty advisor agree on a reading program before the start of the semester. The student reads independently, meeting with his or her advisor regularly for consultation.
Senior Project Proposal
The student, in consultation with a primary faculty advisor, develops a senior project proposal (1,000 words). At least 60 days prior to the first day of classes in the semester when the student will enroll in BT, PTE, HST 499 (described below), the student submits the proposal to a senior project committee. The committee consists of 2 faculty members, one of whom is the primary advisor and another of whom should be a member of ILT’s undergraduate permanent faculty.
Senior Project Course (BT, PTE, or HST 499)
If the senior project committee approves the proposal, the student enrolls in 499 as an independent study. This course can be continued through the following semester if needed. The student completes the research and writing of the senior project during this time, in consultation with the primary faculty advisor. The senior project should use the Chicago Style (guidelines are available from the Librarian.) The senior project must include the following:
- Title page
- Copyright page
- Signatory page
- Librarian Certification page
- Table of Contents
- Text of senior project
- Bibliography
Senior Project Presentation
When the senior project is completed and approved by the primary faculty advisor, the student schedules a formal presentation of the academic paper. The presentation occurs before the last day of classes within the semester. The student should supply the members of the committee with a copy of the senior project sufficiently in advance to allow them to read and comment on it. The committee determines the final grade for the senior project, which is the grade for BT, HST, or PTE 499. The student provides a bound copy of the completed senior project to the ILT Library. (Consult the Librarian for guidelines on printing and binding the senior project.)
Total: 120 Credits
After completing this program, students will be able to:
- Develop extensive knowledge of the religions of the world (and how to speak God’s Word in law and gospel in each religious context).
- Evaluate the credibility and authority of truth claims.
- Demonstrate an understanding of information literacy.
- Develop the ability and passion to engage in a lifetime of learning.
- Completion of online application form.
- Proof of completion of secondary education and transcripts from any post-secondary schools.
- A letter of recommendation from a pastor, teacher or mentor.
- Entrance writing evaluation.
- Applicants whose native language is not English are required to submit a score from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or from the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) that is not more than two years old. Normally, minimum acceptable scores for the TOEFL are 21 on the speaking section and 21 on the writing section. Minimum acceptable scores on the IELTS are 6.5 on the speaking section and 6.5 on the writing section. Please request that your score be sent to ILT. ILT’s DI Code for the TOEFL is 5745. More information concerning TOEFL can be accessed at the Education Testing Services website. Information regarding the IELTS can be found at their IELTS website.
- Non-Refundable Application Fee
- Copy of an official photo identification.
- Admissions interview with Director of Enrollment Services.
Senior Project (Optional): A senior project is a 30-page (7,500 word) academic paper.
Senior Project Research course (BT, PTE, or HST 498): This is a readings course on the student’s proposed senior project topic. The student and his or her primary faculty advisor agree on a reading program before the start of the semester. The student reads independently, meeting with his or her advisor regularly for consultation.
Senior Project Proposal: The student, in consultation with a primary faculty advisor, develops a senior project proposal (1,000 words). At least 60 days prior to the first day of classes in the semester when the student will enroll in BT, PTE, HST 499 (described below), the student submits the proposal to a senior project committee. The committee consists of 2 faculty members, one of whom is the primary advisor and another of whom should be a member of ILT’s undergraduate permanent faculty.
Senior Project course (BT, PTE, or HST 499): If the senior project committee approves the proposal, the student enrolls in EPR 499 as an independent study. This course can be continued through the following semester if needed. The student completes the research and writing of the senior project during this time, in consultation with the primary faculty advisor. The senior project should use the Chicago Style (guidelines are available from the Librarian.)
The senior project must include the following:
- Title page
- Copyright page
- Signatory page
- Librarian Certification page
- Table of Contents
- Text of senior project
- Bibliography
Senior Project Presentation: When the senior project is completed and approved by the primary faculty advisor, the student schedules a formal presentation of the academic paper. The presentation occurs before the last day of classes within the semester. The student should supply the members of the committee with a copy of the senior project sufficiently in advance to allow them to read and comment on it. The committee determines the final grade for the senior project, which is the grade for BT, HST, or PTE 499. The student provides a bound copy of the completed senior project to the ILT Library. (Consult the Librarian for guidelines on printing and binding the senior project.)