For more than 50 years, the University of Waterloo has offered courses in religious studies. Religious Studies is a flexible program that offers several plans for undergraduate students and includes a wide range of courses. Religious Studies is also a great complement to other programs where students can pursue a joint honours degree or a minor.
Our faculty have varied research interests and also contribute to other university departments and programs, including: Sociology, Anthropology, Jewish Studies, Peace and Conflict Studies, Social Development Studies, Gender and Social Justice, Fine Arts, andGraduate Theological Studies.
Our department enjoys the diverse resources of St. Jerome’s University, Conrad Grebel University College, UnitedCollege, Renison University College, and theFaculty of Arts.
The Department of Religious Studies at the University of Waterloo in partnership with the Religion and Culture Department at Wilfrid Laurier University, offers a joint PhD in Religious Studies with a unique concentration on religious diversity of North America.
Undergraduate studies
Learn more about program options and courses in Religious Studies.
Graduate studies
Discover the joint Laurier-Waterloo PhD in Religious Studies and areas of research.
Why study religion?
See the benefits studying religion can have on your education and career.
News
The 2024 U.S. Presidential Election: A nation divided?
On November 8, 2024, the Department of Religious Studies held a scholarly discussion on "The 2024 US Presidential Election: A Nation Divided?” with Andrew Hunt, Veronica Kitchen, Carmen Celestini and Scott Kline.
Scholars discussed the 47th Presidential election and what it means for US-Canada relations, Canadian domestic politics, the role of religion in politics, information on social media, and the future of liberal democracy.
The event was well attended with over fifty in-person participants.
Congratulations to Tucker Finch, winner of the Distinguished Achievement Award in Religious Studies
Congratulations to Tucker Finch, winner of the Distinguished Achievement Award in Religious Studies for 2023 - 2024.
A new book from our own Dr. Peter Frick
Congratulations to Peter Frick on his new book entitled Understanding Paul: The Existential Perspective