Requirements for the Major

Click here to see course offerings for the current academic year which fulfill Study of Religion requirements.

Preparation – 3 (Three Lower Division Courses)
One (1) of the following courses:
  • Religion M4
  • Religion 11
Two (2) of the following courses:
  • Ancient Near East 10W
  • Anthropology 3
  • Asian M60/M60W
  • History 1A, 1B, 1C, 9A, 9C, 9D, 9E, M10A, 10B, 11A, 11B
  • Philosophy 2, 21
  • Religion M10, M20, M40, M50, 55, M60A through M60E, M60W, M61, M61W, M70
Transfer Students

Transfer applicants to the Study of Religion major with 90 or more units must complete the following introductory courses prior to admission to UCLA: one history of religions course, one philosophy of religion course, and two courses from sociocultural anthropology, Buddhism, history of Western civilization, Asian civilizations, civilizations of Africa, and history of China.

Refer to the UCLA Transfer Admission Guide for up-to-date information regarding transfer selection for admission.

Required – 12 (Twelve Upper Division Courses)
Two (2) – required courses:
  • Religion 101
  • Religion 191 (capstone seminar),
At least one (1) of the following Theory and Methods courses:
  • Anthropology 130, 142P
  • Study of Religion 110, M118B, 120, 140, 150, 160, M175, 177, 180, M179, 180, M186C
Nine (9) Elective Courses, at least six of which come from the following Religious Ideas, Practices and Institutions in Context list: 
  • Ancient Near East 162
  • Anthropology 114P, 162, 168P
  • Arabic 120
  • Art History C115A, C120, 150A, 152A, 154A, 154B, 156
  • Asian 151, 162
  • Chinese 165, C175
  • Classics 166A, 166B, M167
  • English 111A, 111B, 111C, 145, 156
  • Greek 130
  • Hebrew 120, 130
  • History 108A, 121B, 174A, M182C, 185B
  • Iranian 170
  • Japanese 161
  • Jewish Studies M150A
  • Korean 165, 172
  • Philosophy 100B, 104, 107, 155A
  • Study of Religion M105A, M105B, M105C, M106A, M107, M108, 110, 113, M115, M118B, M132, M133, M135, 140, M142C, M155, 156, 158, M161A through M161D, M172, M173C, M174D, M174E, M175, M178, M179, M182A, M182B, M184A, M185D, M186A, M186B, M186C, M187SL, M187XP
  • World Arts and Cultures C142, C151

For specific information about the dates and times of courses being taught by quarter, see the Schedule of Classes. For descriptions of all courses, see the UCLA General Catalog. To see a list of all courses counting toward the fulfillment of Study of Religion requirements along with their short titles, click here.

Students may petition to have a course count toward the Study of Religion major.

Notes:

  • Student are encouraged to select courses that focus on a specific religious tradition or traditions, or on a set of thematic issues important to the study of religion. During their senior year students must complete the capstone seminar, Study of Religion 191.
  • A course may be taken twice, on different topics, for credit toward the major where repetition is allowed by the department offering the course. A maximum of two upper division courses in an ancient language relevant to the course of study may be applied toward the major requirements with consent of the adviser.
  • A maximum of 12 units of special studies courses (197, 198, 199) approved by the adviser may be applied toward the major. Each course for preparation for the major and the major must be taken for a letter grade.