Bachelor in Religion/Religious Studies (Bachelor's)

For Bachelor in Religion/Religious Studies (Bachelor's), tuition is Tuition and fees are set by Pitzer College and are subject to change; refer to the college's official website for current rates..

This programme is designed for students interested in understanding the role of religion in global societies across history. It emphasizes analytical and interdisciplinary study of religious traditions, practices, and beliefs. Students develop a specialized focus in a religious tradition, historical period, philosophical theme, or geographic area. The programme is part of a cooperative arrangement among five Claremont Colleges.

Focus areas include religious tradition, philosophical theme, historical period, geographic area.

The major requires 40 credits distributed across a specialization (four courses), two integrative courses, three electives, and a one-semester senior thesis. The programme is structured around individual academic interests with flexibility in course selection.

Graduates pursue careers in journalism, law, medicine, and health and social services.

Applicants must meet general university admission requirements. No specific prerequisites for the major are listed. Submit standard application materials including transcripts and personal statements.

The programme totals about 40 credit hours. On-campus, full-time, typically four years. For international students, tuition is well above the median for US programmes. The institution admits about 17% of applicants.

Students from across the nation and 39 countries contribute to Pitzer’s community in Claremont, California. International students make up 9.6% of the student population. Campus life includes four student-run spaces, a student senate with 54 representatives, and opportunities to influence academic policy, faculty hiring, building design and campus artworks. Every student completes a social responsibility praxis course with a service-learning component before graduation, while most complete more than 40 community engagement hours through that course. Six mixed-use residence halls include solar panels, green roofs, living walls, gray-water systems and water-efficient fixtures.

Since 1963, Pitzer has organized its education around social responsibility, interdisciplinary learning, environmental sustainability, intercultural understanding and student engagement. Students can choose from more than 60 majors and minors across the arts, humanities, natural sciences, social sciences and interdisciplinary studies, while more than 2,000 courses are available across Pitzer and The Claremont Colleges. A 10:1 student-to-faculty ratio supports close academic work. Faculty from different fields often influence one another’s work and co-teach, and students can create their own major. International and globally minded students can take part in study abroad programs; 53.1% of the Class of 2026 participated in study abroad. The college’s community includes students with connections from Los Angeles and New York to Nepal, and its programs connect academic study with community engagement.