No, all you need is curiosity about how religion and spirituality relate to people’s lives and how they have an impact on societies and cultures. Some of our majors and minors are atheists or agnostics who just find religion fascinating as a powerful influence on history and on the contemporary world. Others are committed to a religious tradition and interested in exploring it more deeply. Our courses do not require a faith commitment, although such commitments are welcome.
Right after graduation our majors and minors have gone directly into the workforce at not-for-profit organizations such as L’Arche, churches in professional ministry positions, Catholic high schools as theology teachers. Some of our graduates have gone on to Master’s programs in theology and religious studies at Boston College, Notre Dame, Harvard, Union Theological Seminary, Duke, and Emory as well as Seattle University’s own School of Theology and Ministry. Others have gone on to Law School.
Absolutely. Many of our majors combine their interests by adding THRS to another major. Those who are interested in working for not-for-profits, NGOs, or local government might combine a major in Public Affairs and THRS. Since we have faculty who explore the relationship between science and religion, we have had science majors pursue either a double major/degree with THRS. Still, other students who are considering graduate work within THRS contextualize their field with another field of study.
Campus Ministry where they have opportunities to be student ministers for retreats, liturgy, ecumenical and multi-faith activities, and social justice and the Institute for Catholic Thought and Culture (ICTC) where they engage in research, dialogue, and scholarship that furthers a greater understanding of Catholic thought and culture.