Welcome to Religious Studies
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. Students are able to specialize in three main areas: World Religions; Christian Traditions; and Religion, Culture, and Society. 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, and Graduate Theological Studies.
Our department enjoys the diverse resources of St. Jerome’s University, Conrad Grebel University College, United College, Renison University College, and the Faculty 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
Dr. Alicia Batten in Jerusalem on a Canadian Friends of the École biblique scholarship
Thanks to a scholarship from the Canadian Friends of the École biblique, Alicia Batten is spending two weeks doing research on the Letter of James at the École biblique et archéologique française de Jérusalem.
Congratulations to Jess!
Congratulations to Jess Gilbert, winner of the Distinguished Academic Achievement Award in Religious Studies for 2022- 2023.
Religious scholar Dr. David Seljak in the Anglican Journal
Dr. David Seljak delivered the opening lecture at the "Land, Law, Religion, and Reconciliation" colloquium hosted by university of Victoria, Centre for Studies in Religion and Society.