John Garza prepares for daily Mass at NYC's iconic Trinity Church.

Theology Religious Studies

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Pursue Theology Religious Studies at Fordham

About the theology religious studies major

What does it mean to be human? What does it mean to believe in or reject the existence of God? And how can we put our ideals—justice, even love—into practice?

At Fordham, you’ll engage with these questions and more through a variety of disciplines, including history, philosophy, and literature. In line with Fordham’s Jesuit Catholic heritage, you’ll also make connections between the world’s religious and moral teachings and the realities of social injustice, especially as they take shape in New York City.

Our graduates go on to …

  • prestigious graduate and PhD programs
  • religious institutions, museums, and cultural organizations
  • careers in law, business, nonprofits, medicine, and more

Visit the theology department page

Students at the Fordham Ecumenical Patriarch Visit

Theology religious studies program profile

  • Rose Hill CampusMajor
    Rose Hill
  • Rose Hill CampusMinor
    Rose Hill
  • Lincoln Center CampusMajor
    Lincoln Center
  • Lincoln Center CampusMinor
    Lincoln Center

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Program at a glance

90%

of theology religious studies graduates in the past five years were employed, continuing their education, or engaged in public service or other meaningful endeavors within six months of graduation

37%

of theology religious studies graduates in the past five years have pursued advanced degrees

Healthcare, Nonprofit, Education, Advertising, and Performing Arts

industries where the greatest number of theology religious studies graduates find jobs in places like Memorial Sloane Kettering Cancer Center, CityMD, ACLU, Teach for America, Archdiocese of New York, Time Inc., and more

5

years to complete Fordham’s accelerated degree program, earning both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in theology

10

courses across three disciplines to complete the major, including foundational courses covering biblical studies and both historical and systematic theology

Francis and Ann Curran Center for American Catholic Studies

hosts national conferences, public lectures, and readings on campus, and publishes scholarly and imaginative works

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Theology Religious Studies for what matters

Students from the Religion in NYC course pose with Professor Karina Hogan at Congregation Beit Simchat Torah

Dive into ‘Religion in NYC’                    

Learn how this unique course allows students to experience NYC’s religious diversity—from an LGBT Ramdan celebration to serving migrants at St. Paul and St. Andrew United Methodist Church.

John Garza lights a candle on the altar of Trinity Church

Doing Work That Matters at Historic Trinity Church                    

Theology major John Garza was just looking for a summer internship. Instead, he found a community, a full-time job, and a sense of purpose at one of New York City’s most enduring landmarks.

Loreen Ruiz, a 2021 graduate of Fordham College at Lincoln Center.

Learning to Think Critically                    

Loreen Ruiz says her theology major helped her develop “the ability to understand and engage with different perspectives”—and the foundation to pursue a career shaping policy to help empower women.

Students at Ignatian Q Conference Advances LGBTQ Inclusion and Equality

Fighting for Faithful LGBT Inclusion                    

The Ignatian Q Conference held at St. Paul the Apostle Church, just steps away from Fordham, brought together speakers from across various Jesuit universities to defend full inclusion and belonging for LGBTQ+ students on their campuses.

Students in Ponce, Puerto Rico, during a GO! trip. Photos courtesy of Emely Paulino Cuevas, Amelia Medved, Lauren Pecora, and Benedict Reilly

Beyond Community Service                    

See how Fordham’s signature Global Outreach program emphasizes community engagement over traditional service, and helps students put their coursework into action to create real change.

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Theology Religious Studies Program FAQ

  • Here, you’ll learn by doing. With hands-on opportunities in one of the world’s most diverse and dynamic cities, you’ll gain the skills and experiences employers seek. And in addition to the big-city energy of New York, you’ll have a tight-knit, supportive campus community, eager for you to thrive. 

    As a theology major, you’ll excel at thinking critically thanks to a combination of rigorous academics and engagement in sensitive topics about faith, meaning, the sacred, and diversity. Fordham theology students stand out as leaders in a variety of fields like law, business, politics, nonprofits, and more.

  • You’ll be able to take a wide variety of courses to meet your major requirements. You might take Religion, Gender, and Sexuality, which examines how religious institutions, communities, doctrines, practices, and traditions shape gendered ideologies and practices; Wartime Religion in U.S. History, which explores American religion and concepts of justice from the Civil War to the War in Iraq; and Hindu Literature and Ethics, an overview of four aims of life (purushartha) in Hinduism: kama (enjoyment), artha (material gain), dharma (sacred law), and moksha (liberation).

  • With New York City as your college town, you’ll have access to some of the world’s finest cultural institutions. Students have interned at places like

    • America Media
    • American Museum of Natural History
    • Goldman Sachs
    • NBCUniversal
    • The United Nations 

    Our location in the heart of New York City also means you’ll have the opportunity to intern with top organizations and partner institutions like the Jewish Museum and the New York Historical through our Serving the City program.

    Plus, you can connect with alumni through the Fordham Mentoring Program to receive one-on-one guidance and advice no matter what career you pursue.

  • Under the guidance of faculty mentors, you’ll be able to take part in various undergraduate research opportunities such as the Fordham Undergraduate Research Journal and the ARS Nova Arts & Research Showcase. Additionally, you’ll have access to the Francis and Ann Curran Center for American Catholic Studies, which hosts national conferences, public lectures, readings,  and other events.

  • At Fordham, you’ll use AI as a tool to enhance your learning. Our program will equip you with the skills to navigate the ever-changing landscape of AI in the workforce. You can take courses like Philosophy of Artificial Intelligence or The Epistemology and Ethics of Artificial Intelligence, where you’ll explore ways to prevent harmful social impacts of AI and examine the morality and ethics behind its use, preparing you for roles as decision makers and thought leaders. 

    You’ll also be able to earn credentials and paid micro-internships through IBM SkillsBuild’s Getting Started with AI course. All Fordham students and graduates have access to AI training through RamConnect, the University’s alumni and experiential learning platform.

    Above all, you’ll learn skills that can’t be replaced by AI, such as critical thinking, creativity, emotional intelligence, and integrity.

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