Jun 10, 2025  
2025-2026 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2025-2026 Undergraduate Catalog

Religious Studies Major with Inclusive Early Childhood/Childhood Education Major


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Students majoring in religious studies complete 36 hours in courses in the department. The major program includes courses in cross-cultural and interfaith awareness, ethics and social justice, and spiritual wisdom and well-being.

The goal is for religious studies majors

  • to interpret religious and spiritual beliefs and practices as formed by diverse populations and cultures;
  • to make use of theories and concepts employed in the academic study of religion;
  • to acquire skills needed for research and critical thinking regarding religion;
  • to recognize the role of religion in creating and ameliorating social issues such as racism, sexism, and colonialism;
  • to demonstrate interfaith and intercultural competencies to build informed empathy with different perspectives and diverse populations;
  • to draw from contemplative practices to facilitate self-awareness and wellbeing in their individual and relational lives.

Students seeking initial certification at the early childhood and childhood levels may double major in Religious Studies and Inclusive Early Childhood/Childhood Education. All Inclusive Early Childhood & Childhood Education students are required to have a cumulative GPA of 2.7 or higher in order to advance into Junior-level education coursework. 

Core Curriculum Requirements


All Nazareth students complete Core Curriculum coursework as part of their degree requirements. The Core provides a foundation in the liberal arts and sciences while guiding students to pose and explore their own intellectual questions. See Academic Policies and Procedures  for specific core curriculum requirements. 

Religious Studies Core


Students majoring in Religious Studies must complete 36 credits in courses in the department from the following areas.

Foundation Course


Students must take the following course:

Capstone Course


Students must take the following Capstone Course:

Additional Elective Courses and Opportunities


Students are required to complete up to 4 additional courses to complete a total of 36 credits in Religious Studies. Courses may come from any of the categories above or from these additional courses.

Required Courses for Inclusive Early Childhood/Childhood Education Majors


Inclusive Early Childhood/Childhood Education Major Requirements

Sample Program for Religious Studies Major with Inclusive Early Childhood/Childhood Education


FRESHMAN YEAR
Fall Semester Spring Semester
ACS 101 Academic and College Success   1 ENGW 102 Argument and Research   3
RES.F 101 Exploring the World’s Religions  First Year Seminar/FYS PEQ (1) 3 Foreign Language (2) with lab 4
Foreign Language (1) with lab 4 Religious Studies course (2) 3
ENGW 101 Exposition   3 PEQ (4) 3
PEQ (2) 3 PEQ (5) 3
PEQ (3) 3 EDIN 101 Developmental Learning in School: Early Childhood      1
Health and Wellness 0    
TOTAL SEMESTER CREDITS 17 TOTAL SEMESTER CREDITS 17
 
SOPHOMORE YEAR
Fall Semester Spring Semester
PEQ (6) - Science with lab 4 PEQ (8) 3
PEQ (7) 3 Religious Studies course (4) 3
Religious Studies course (3) 3 Religious Studies course (5) 3
EDIN 102 Developmental Learning in School: Childhood   1 EDIN 103 Developmental Learning in School: Adolescence   1
SPF 204 History and Philosophy of Education   3 EDIN 205 Foundations of Inclusive Education   3
Integrative Studies (IS) - 1
*must be Liberal Arts course
3 Integrative Studies (IS) - 2
*must be Liberal Arts course
3
TOTAL SEMESTER CREDITS 17 TOTAL SEMESTER CREDITS 16
 
JUNIOR YEAR
Fall Semester Spring Semester
Religious Studies course (6) 3 INCH 380 Construction of Meaning in Mathematics And Science   3
EDIN 310 Inclusive Instructional Methods   3 INCH 390 Literacy, Language Arts, and Social Studies   3
INCH 320 Emergent Literacy and Language Development   3 Religious Studies course (9) 3
RES 498 Social Justice, Self-Discovery, and the Ripple Effect  - Religious Studies course (7) 3 Religious Studies course (10) 3
Integrative Studies (IS) - 3
*students select a major course to fulfill the final  IS course
- Religious Studies course (11) 3
Religious Studies course (8) 3 EDU 485 Harassment, Bullying, Cyberbullying, and Discrimination in Schools: Prevention and Intervention (DASA Training)   0
EDU 475 Health Education, Child Abuse, and Violence Prevention Workshop   0 CME 050 Core Milestone Experience   0
TOTAL SEMESTER CREDITS 15 TOTAL SEMESTER CREDITS 15
 
SUMMER AFTER JUNIOR YEAR
(Summer Tuition Required)
INCH 425 Designing and Implementing Positive Learning Communities   3 INCH 411 Field Work and Practicum in Inclusive Education Settings   3
 
SENIOR YEAR
Fall Semester Spring Semester
EDIN 435 Assessment for Learning   3 Religious Studies course (12) 3
INCH 470 Reflective Seminar on Teaching, Collaboration and Building Collaborative Partnerships   3 INCH 490 Current Issues in Inclusive Education   3
INCH 480 Student Teaching   6 LST 301 Language, Literacy, and Culture  (DEIB designated course) 3
    Liberal Arts Elective (Math) 3
    Liberal Arts Elective (Science) 3
TOTAL SEMESTER CREDITS 12 TOTAL SEMESTER CREDITS 15

Notes

  • Students in Bachelor of Arts degree programs must complete 90 credits of liberal arts coursework.
  • NYS certification standards require that students complete 6 credits in each of the following subject areas, with a minimum grade of “C” or higher in each course: English, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies.
  • Students may use a major course to fulfill one Integrative Studies (IS) course requirement.
  • A minimum GPA of 2.7 is required before moving into INCH coursework (fall semester, junior year).

 

 

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