Associate of Religious Studies Degree 

An Associate of Religious Studies Degree requires a minimum of 850 classroom hours as follows:

Science of Mind  240
Personal/Spiritual Growth 250
Area of Concentration (Major) 250
Electives 65
Paper or Project 45

Total hours = 850

Students working toward an Associate Degree must complete one or more Independent Study Courses as part of the 850 classroom hour requirement.  Working closely with their Program Advisors, students design an Independent Study Course specifically within the Course of Study or Area of Concentration under which it falls.  The central question to be answered when developing an Independent Study Course is, "Will this course significantly contribute to my development in this area of study?"

Typically, an Independent Study Course is the equivalent of 30 classroom hours, but that may vary according to the nature and scope of the course.  Independent Study Courses may include attending professional seminars, workshops and/or conferences; independent reading, research and a paper or project; taking courses at other institutions; or some combination of all of these.