Learn more about UPIKE and why it is the right choice for you.
See if UPIKE is a good fit for you and take the next steps in becoming a student.
The vision for the College of Dental Medicine is to be known and respected for service, innovation, clinical excellence and interprofessional education.
We are practitioners of the healing arts defining the standard for excellence in optometric education and vision care.
Our D.O. medical school is nationally ranked and recognized for a reputation of excellence in rural medicine and family healthcare. UPIKE’s osteopathy program gives you a clear path to success in the medical field.
Explore our online undergraduate and graduate programs and learn more about earning your degree at UPIKE.
As a Religious Studies major at UPIKE, you’ll focus on understanding the Bible and religious diversity. Religious studies are a way of organizing the oldest and deepest human concerns about the meaning of life. At UPIKE, you’ll dive deeper into Christian religious heritage and study other religious traditions as well. UPIKE’s courses in world religions will introduce you to ways of understanding beyond the Western tradition, while courses in Biblical studies will help you explore the historical background and contemporary meaning of the Bible. Courses in ethics, spirituality, and religion and popular culture will engage you in contemporary issues, including the impact of religion on everyday life.
UPIKE faculty may lecture from time to time, but you’ll usually be engaged in active learning by: Discussing contemporary issues Researching topics of your interest Participating in service projects and mission trips Dialoguing with people of many faiths Engaging in spirituality that works for wholeness Participating in experiential learning trips to religious sites and conferences
REL 430 Spirituality in World Religions Explore the spiritual practices of the world religions such as meditation, yoga and the Enneagram. REL 383 Religion and Science Discuss the ways in which religion and science interface through dialogue, discussion, and exploration of a variety of perspectives. REL 387 Religion and Popular Culture Explore the ways in which religion and popular culture affect, maintain, change and create one another. The course critically engages contemporary world issues such as hashtag activism, war and religious conflict, changing religious demographics, climate change, immigration, consumerism and human rights. These issues are explored via music, television, literature, social media and art.
After earning a degree in Religious Studies from UPIKE, you’ll be able to analyze literature from a variety of perspectives, formulate and present oral and written arguments, and respect opposing points of view.
Chaplain Christian Educator Counselor Pastor Theologian Writer
Big Sandy Community Technical College Instructor Pastor, Elkhorn City Church Northern Kentucky University, Salmon P. Chase College of Law Pickens Presbyterian Church Pikeville Medical Center University of Pikeville Vanderbilt University Divinity School
“When I began my studies at UPIKE, I was unsure of what I wanted to major in. As an “undecided” student, I was told I needed to complete two religion courses. I fell in love with the subject matter and declared my major as Religious Studies right away. I loved how many of the classes contained elements of other subjects I was passionate about like history, philosophy, anthropology and theology. As someone who grew up in the Christian tradition, something I’ll forever be grateful for that I received from the Religious Studies program at UPIKE is the knowledge of other religions and the importance of interfaith dialogue. I’ll never forget the value of interfaith panels, guest lectures from Sikhs in the community and opportunities to visit the local Mosque. In my own life, this has taught me the invaluable skill of ‘holy envy’ – being able to look at the different religious traditions of my neighbors and friends with generosity, curiosity and appreciation while seeking to see the good in them. I now feel a real connection to that group of Presbyterian ministers who founded the university in 1889 and share their thought that education is a vehicle of reforming the church and that the more we know about the world, the more we can know about God.” SCOT ROBINSON /CLASS OF 2016 /MASTERS IN DIVINITY STUDENT /VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY DIVINITY SCHOOL
“When I began my studies at UPIKE, I was unsure of what I wanted to major in. As an “undecided” student, I was told I needed to complete two religion courses. I fell in love with the subject matter and declared my major as Religious Studies right away. I loved how many of the classes contained elements of other subjects I was passionate about like history, philosophy, anthropology and theology. As someone who grew up in the Christian tradition, something I’ll forever be grateful for that I received from the Religious Studies program at UPIKE is the knowledge of other religions and the importance of interfaith dialogue. I’ll never forget the value of interfaith panels, guest lectures from Sikhs in the community and opportunities to visit the local Mosque. In my own life, this has taught me the invaluable skill of ‘holy envy’ – being able to look at the different religious traditions of my neighbors and friends with generosity, curiosity and appreciation while seeking to see the good in them. I now feel a real connection to that group of Presbyterian ministers who founded the university in 1889 and share their thought that education is a vehicle of reforming the church and that the more we know about the world, the more we can know about God.”
SCOT ROBINSON /CLASS OF 2016 /MASTERS IN DIVINITY STUDENT /VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY DIVINITY SCHOOL
Professor of Religion(606) 218-5026JamesBrowning@upike.edu
Q: What percent of students complete the program within 4 years?
A: 63%
Q: What percent of graduates are working/in graduate school 1 year after graduation?
A: Data will not be reported for privacy reasons when the number of students completing the program is fewer than five during this period.
Q: What percent of graduates are employed in Kentucky 5 years after graduation?
Q: What salary can a graduate expect to earn in Kentucky 5 years after graduation?
Q: What is the median loan debt for students completing this program?
Q: What percent of a graduate’s monthly salary will be used to repay his/her loan?