For more than 50 years, the University of Waterloo has offered courses in religious studies. Religious Studies is a flexible program that offers several academic 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, 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
Second annual Culture Fest celebrates student research
Taking us from colonial New Spain to Ancient Greece to contemporary opera, undergraduate students from culture-related programs presented their research at the second annual Culture Fest, an initiative designed to celebrate outstanding student work and make connections across programs and disciplines.
A New Book from our very own Dr. Carmen Celestini
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.