Department of Philosophy & Religion
Majors, Minors & Programs
Religion & Philosophy
The world’s religious and philosophical traditions are answers to timeless, fundamental questions: How do we live a good life? Why is the world the way that it is? How should we treat each other? How should treat ourselves? Religious studies and philosophy are critical and humanistic disciplines in which we work collaboratively to understand how human beings have engaged these basic questions, throughout history and today.
In an era of rapid social and technological change, an education in religion and philosophy trains students to remain adaptable, resilient, and thoughtful in an increasingly unpredictable world. The Religion and Philosophy major provides students with flexibility of career options and teaches skills valuable to employers.
The study of religion and philosophy develops perspective, critical and creative thinking, rational standards of discourse, and sensitivity to value issues as well as the ability to understand the significance of faith in the context of both world events and individual human life. The program will provide you with a broad exposure to a variety of cultures across human history, while emphasizing your development of your own intellectual areas of interest and expertise as you progress through the program.
Majors and minors in Religion and Philosophy will:
- Learn to understand, appreciate, and critique the history and teachings of the world’s wisdom traditions,
- Set themselves apart as capable navigators of cultural diversity and understanding,
- Hone their critical, creative, and communication abilities in a variety of methods and media.
A Religion and Philosophy major or minor may be teamed with virtually any other major in order to add depth and breadth to another discipline, and our majors have gone on to have successful careers in a wide range of fields, including law, the ministry, education, journalism, business, and government services. Students interested in a career in the ministry, law, or business may also be eligible for one of our Bachelor’s Degree Plus Program that offer fast-tracks to higher degrees in those fields.
Pre-Ministry Program
Westminster was founded by a group of Presbyterian ministers and has been preparing students for careers in the ministry since the very beginning. Coursework in philosophy, history, literature, psychology, speech and sociology will further develop your critical reasoning, communication skills, and foundational knowledge.
As a Pre-Ministry student, you can pursue any major program or use the Religion and Philosophy minor as the base of an Individual Interdisciplinary major of your own design. Students interested in attending seminary can also apply to participate in our Bachelor’s Degree Plus Program, that could save you time and money by allowing you to begin seminary at the end of your junior year.
Interdisciplinary Programs
Peace Studies (Minor or Concentration)
The Peace Studies Program is an interdisciplinary academic program designed to prepare students for the challenge of living in an increasingly diverse and global community. Recent uncertainties about the nature of world security make this an especially opportune time for Peace Studies. In addition to understanding conflict and its resolution, coursework emphasizes global awareness, multiculturalism, public policy, ethics, and human rights. You can tailor your course selections to meet post-graduation goals, which will enhance your ability to secure jobs in an increasingly global economy and multicultural society. Through service learning at the local, national, or international level, you will translate your competencies into action.
If your academic plan does not have sufficient flexiblity to complete the courses required for a minor, you may choose to complete a concentration in Peace Studies, which requires fewer courses. You can also pursue a major in Peace Studies through our Interdisciplinary Major.
International Studies
International Studies program was designed for students interested in languages, travel, culture, and politics. As a major, you will take a designated core of courses in International Studies and modern languages, and then build on that foundation by selecting one of three concentrations of designated and elective courses.
The concentrations are Cultural Studies, International Politics, or Peace and Justice Studies. Students who select the Cultural Studies concentration can choose coursework to focus on either History or Modern Languages. All international studies majors also participate in an approved study abroad experience.
Major, Cultural Studies Concentration Requirements & Courses
Major, International Politics Concentration Requirements & Courses
Major, Peace & Justice Studies Concentration Requirements & Courses
Environmental Studies
With this flexible interdisciplinary major, students combine environmental studies coursework with a second discipline of their choice to work on problems of the environment. For example, students could combine environmental studies with Interfaith Studies to work in fields related to environmental justice. Students interested in environmental law could also apply to start law school at the end of their junior year through one of our Bachelor’s Degree Plus Programs.
As an Environmental Studies major, you will benefit from hands-on, collaborative learning and partner with local and regional environmental organizations and businesses to work on real-world environmental problems. A required internship and team-based capstone gives our students the skills for success in careers and graduate school. As a bonus, we get to study the environment on our expansive and diverse 300-acre campus.
Individual Interdisciplinary Major
The individual interdisciplinary major allows students to design their own majors. Students identify a core of course work in one program of study (major or minor), and then add coursework from other disciplines to craft an educational experience as unique as their ambitions.
Recent real-life examples of Individual Interdisciplinary majors include:
- Environmental Science Project Management (Environmental Science and Business)
- Scientific Illustration (Fine Art and Biology)
- Film & Media Relations (Film Studies and Communication)
For more information, contact an Admissions Counselor today.
Bachelor's Degree Plus Programs
Bachelor’s Degree + Seminary Degree (3+3 Program)
Qualified Westminster students in our Pre-Ministry Program have the opportunity to enter Pittsburgh Theological Seminary’s Master of Divinity (M.Div.) program after only three years of undergraduate study, saving time and money. Students in the program complete all major, minor, and liberal studies requirements (including Capstone) by the end of the junior year at Westminster, then begin their seminary studies at PTS in their fourth year.
After completing all six years of the program, students earn both a bachelor’s degree from Westminster and an M.Div. from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary.
Bachelor's Degree + Law Degree (3+3 Programs)
In addition to having access to our robust 4-year Pre-Law Program, students interested in law could start law school at the end of their junior year through our partnerships with Widener University Commonwealth Law School and Duquesne University School of Law. Through these partnership, eligible students earn both a bachelor's degree and a juris doctor (J.D.) degree in just six years, saving time and money.
Bachelor’s Degree + MBA (4+1 Program)
As a Westminster undergraduate student, you can get a headstart on your Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree by beginning your master's coursework during the second semester of your senior year.
Available to qualifying Westminster students with any major, our MBA program emphasizes real-world business issues integrating communication, accounting, finance, marketing, law, ethics, operations management and human resources in order to prepare you to thoughtfully and ethically lead in public and private sector organizations. The program offers students the choice of four concentrations: Management, Business Analytics, Healthcare Management, or Green MBA/Sustainability.
For more information, contact the Chair of the School of Business, Dr. Robert Badowski, badowsr@westminster.edu.
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