The Claremont Colleges Intercollegiate Religious Studies Program is a cooperative program offered jointly by Claremont McKenna, Harvey Mudd, Pitzer, Pomona, and Scripps Colleges. The program of study is designed to serve both as one focus of a liberal arts education and as a foundation for students planning to pursue the study of religion beyond the baccalaureate degree. Students may enroll in Religious Studies courses offered at any of the undergraduate colleges, and advanced students may, with permission, enroll in master’s-level courses in their area of specialization at Claremont Graduate University.

While offering a broadly based and inclusive program in the study of religion for all liberal arts students, the Religious Studies major affords the opportunity for more specialized work at the intermediate and advanced levels in particular historic religious traditions, geographical areas, philosophical and critical approaches, and thematic and comparative studies.

The Claremont Colleges Religious Studies Program recognizes the importance and legitimacy of personal involvement in the study of religion, but it does not represent or advocate any particular religion as normative. Rather, the aim is to make possible an informed knowledge and awareness of the fundamental importance of the religious dimension in all human societies—globally and historically. In addition to preparing students for graduate study in religion, the multidisciplinary nature of the major affords students intellectual training to enter a variety of fields and careers. Recent graduates pursue graduate studies in many fields, including religious studies, law, medicine, business, journalism or enter careers in K-12 education, government, or social services.

The Religious Studies major consists in 10 courses (or 9 at Claremont McKenna College), including four courses in a specialized field, three courses outside the specialized field, RLST 180 – Interpreting Religious Worlds, RLST 190 – Senior Seminar, and RLST 191 – Senior Thesis (while all CMC students have to write a thesis for graduation, they do not have to take 191). Sample fields can be found under the “Requirements and Concentrations” tab of this site.

Language study appropriate to the specialized field and a period of study abroad when possible are strongly encouraged.