Overview

The Religious Studies program at California State University Long Beach provides students with an introduction to the major religious traditions and to religion in the modern world.

Because religion infuses human cultures in visible and invisible ways, Religious Studies places special emphasis on relating the religious dimension of human life to the humanities, sciences, and social sciences.

Key Facts

The Department seeks to achieve the following learning outcomes through its curriculum:

Demonstrate a comprehension of the historical origins, central teachings, and practices of the major religious and spiritual traditions of the world within global and localized contexts.
Evaluate the functions of world religious and spiritual traditions within their political, economic, and cultural contexts.
Apply interdisciplinary theories and methodologies to the study of religion and spiritual traditions.
Compare myths, rituals, and practices across diverse religious and spiritual traditions.
Analyze how diverse religions and spiritualities inform, and are informed by, other dimensions of human experience, such as gender, sexuality, class, race, ethnicity, ability, and immigration status.
Develop an academic skill set that is transferable to a variety of careers, which includes critical thinking, higher level research and writing, textual analysis, and visual and oral presentation.

Programme Structure

Courses include:

Early and Western Religions
Asian Religions
Religion and Literature of the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament
The Historical Jesus
Heaven, Hell and Other Afterlives
Jewish Religion
Jewish Mysticism
Islamic Religion and Culture
Sufism
Christianity and Global Ethics
Buddhism
Religions of India
Religions of Southeast Asia
Women and Islam in Global Perspective
Love, Life, and the World
Trending Religion: Religion in Popular Culture
American Religious Diversity
Queer Spirit
Comparative Religious Ethics

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 48 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2026-01-20 00:00:00
- Apply before 2025-10-01 00:00:00 , International
Starting 2026-08-17 00:00:00
- Apply before 2026-04-01 00:00:00 , International
- Apply before 2025-12-02 00:00:00 , National

Language

English

IELTS

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PTE Academic

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Duolingo English Test

105

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Credits

120 SCH

Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

Long Beach, United States

Disciplines

Theology and Religious Studies View 893 other Bachelors in Theology and Religious Studies in United States

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Academic requirements

We are not aware of any specific GRE, GMAT or GPA grading score requirements for this programme.

English requirements

IELTS

Free IELTS Mock Tests!

PTE Academic

Schedule a PTE test!

Duolingo English Test

105

Take A Free Practice Test!

Check IELTS test dates and locations. Book an IELTS test now!

Other requirements

General requirements

Complete each of the courses in the comprehensive pattern of college preparatory subject requirements with a grade of C or higher prior to high school graduation.
Graduate from high school by the end of the Spring term prior to Fall enrollment.
All transcripts from all institutions attended
SAT/ACT scores

Graduates of California high schools and other California residents:

2.5 GPA or greater in college preparatory subjects, AND 3,200 minimum “CSULB Index” to be considered, for non-STEM major
a 3,600 minimum “STEM Index” for STEM majors. (Be aware this is higher than the minimum for CSU system-wide eligibility.)

Other non-California residents:

3.0 GPA or greater in college preparatory subjects, AND 3,500 minimum “CSULB Index” to be considered, for non-STEM major
a 3,600 minimum “STEM Index” for STEM majors.

Student insurance

Make sure to cover your health, travel, and stay while studying abroad. Even global coverages can miss important items, so make sure your student insurance ticks all the following:

Additional medical costs (i.e. dental)
Repatriation, if something happens to you or your family
Liability
Home contents and baggage
Accidents
Legal aid

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Starting from €0.53/day, free cancellation any time.

Remember, countries and universities may have specific insurance requirements. To learn more about how student insurance work at California State University Long Beach and/or in United States, please visit Student Insurance Portal.

Tuition Fee

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International

18972 USD/year

Tuition Fee

Based on the tuition of 18972 USD per year during 48 months.
National

9499 USD/year

Tuition Fee

Based on the tuition of 9499 USD per year during 48 months.
In-State

3225 USD/year

Tuition Fee

Based on the tuition of 3225 USD per year during 48 months.

Living costs for Long Beach

1400 - 2000 USD /month

Living costs

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Funding

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Scholarships Information

Below you will find Bachelor's scholarship opportunities for Religious Studies.

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

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