Religious Education.

Degree Overview

Religious Education (CIP 39.0401) is a specialized education and theology field focused on teaching religious beliefs, values, traditions, and ethical frameworks in formal and informal learning environments. This degree prepares individuals to educate others about faith traditions—most commonly within Christian, Jewish, or other religious contexts—through schools, congregations, community programs, and educational ministries. It blends pedagogy with theology, emphasizing how people learn faith, values, and moral reasoning across different life stages.

For a degree search site, Religious Education represents a purpose-driven academic pathway that combines teaching, leadership, and spiritual formation. Religious educators play a critical role in shaping moral development, community identity, and lifelong faith learning. This degree appeals to students who enjoy teaching, mentoring, and curriculum development and who want to integrate educational practice with religious mission and service.

What Is a Religious Education Degree?

A Religious Education degree is an academic and applied program focused on the theory and practice of teaching religion. Unlike general religious studies programs, which analyze religion academically, religious education emphasizes instructional methods, curriculum design, and learner development within a faith-based framework.

Students study both what is taught (religious content) and how it is taught (educational methods), including:

• Religious doctrine, scripture, and tradition
• Learning theory and educational psychology
• Curriculum development for faith-based settings
• Teaching methods for children, youth, and adults
• Ethical and spiritual formation

Institutions—often faith-based colleges, universities, and seminaries—offer this degree to:

• Prepare educators for religious schools and congregational education
• Train leaders for Sunday school, youth ministry, and adult education
• Support careers in faith-based education and community leadership
• Provide a foundation for advanced theological or education study

Programs frequently include supervised teaching or ministry experience.

What Will You Learn?

Students learn how people grow in faith and understanding over time and how religious instruction can be adapted to different ages, cultures, and learning styles. You’ll explore how to communicate complex beliefs in accessible, meaningful ways.

Core Skills You’ll Build

Graduates typically develop skills such as:

• Faith-based teaching and instruction—communicating religious content effectively
• Curriculum and lesson planning—designing structured learning experiences
• Educational psychology and learning theory—understanding how people learn
• Classroom and group facilitation—managing discussions and activities
• Age-appropriate instruction—adapting teaching for children, youth, and adults
• Ethical and moral formation—guiding values-based learning
• Communication and mentoring—supporting learners’ growth
• Program organization and leadership—coordinating education ministries

These skills are applicable in schools, congregations, and community education settings.

Topics You May Explore

Coursework varies by faith tradition and institution, but commonly includes:

• Foundations of Religious Education: theory and purpose
• Biblical or Sacred Text Studies: scripture relevant to teaching
• Educational Psychology: learning and development
• Curriculum Design for Faith Settings: lesson planning and assessment
• Teaching Methods in Religious Education: pedagogy and practice
• Youth and Adult Faith Formation: age-specific instruction
• Ethics and Moral Education: values-based teaching
• History and Philosophy of Religious Education: educational traditions
• Cultural and Contextual Teaching: adapting instruction to communities

Many programs include practicum experiences in schools or congregations.

What Jobs Can You Get With This Degree?

A Religious Education degree prepares students for teaching and leadership roles in faith-based settings. Career outcomes often depend on denomination, certification, and organizational context.

Common career paths include:

• Religious Education Teacher: teaching in faith-based schools
• Director of Religious Education: overseeing congregational education programs
• Sunday School or Faith Formation Coordinator: organizing learning programs
• Youth Ministry Educator: teaching and mentoring youth
• Catechist or Faith Instructor: teaching religious doctrine
• Christian or Faith-Based School Teacher: classroom instruction
• Church Program or Education Administrator: managing education ministries
• Graduate or Seminary Path: advanced theological or education study

Some roles require additional teaching licensure or denominational approval.

Where Can You Work?

Graduates work in settings focused on faith education:

• Religious schools and academies
• Churches, synagogues, and congregations
• Faith-based nonprofits and ministries
• Community education and outreach programs
• Seminaries and religious training institutions
• Youth and family ministry organizations

Religious educators often serve as both teachers and community leaders.

How Much Can You Earn?

Earnings vary based on role, institution, and location.

Typical ranges include:

• Entry-level religious education roles: often $30,000–$45,000
• Teachers or program coordinators: commonly $40,000–$65,000
• Directors or senior educators: often $55,000–$85,000+

Many religious educators value mission and service alongside compensation.

Is This Degree Hard?

Religious Education is considered moderately challenging. It requires strong reading, writing, and teaching skills, along with emotional intelligence and spiritual maturity. Students must balance academic study with practical teaching and ministry responsibilities.

The challenge lies in effectively communicating complex beliefs and guiding moral development.

Who Should Consider This Degree?

This degree may be a strong fit if you:

• Enjoy teaching and mentoring others
• Are passionate about faith, values, and education
• Want to work in schools or congregations
• Like curriculum design and group facilitation
• Feel called to faith-based leadership or service

How to Prepare in High School

To prepare for a religious education program:

• Take English, history, and education-related courses
• Develop strong writing and communication skills
• Participate in church, youth groups, or faith education programs
• Practice teaching or mentoring younger students
• Reflect on leadership, service, and ethical values

Religious Education (CIP 39.0401) is a calling-oriented degree for students who want to teach faith with depth, clarity, and compassion. It prepares graduates to educate, mentor, and lead others in religious understanding and moral formation—strengthening communities through thoughtful, values-based learning.