Becoming a Religious Studies Minor: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I become a Religious Studies minor?
What are the benefits of being a RELS minor?
Do RELS minor classes also count for GE credit?
Do RELS minor classes also count for USCP credit?
Do RELS minor classes also count for my major program or my double-minor?
I already have a minor. Can I also minor in Religious Studies without taking an extra quarter to do so?
Can I receive credit for Religious Studies courses I take while studying abroad?
I transferred to Cal Poly from another school. Will I receive credit for the Religious Studies courses I took there?
What if I can’t finish the RELS minor for some reason?
I have completed the RELS minor requirements. What do I do now?
More questions?
How do I become a Religious Studies minor?
To become a Religious Studies minor, you simply need to fill out the RELS Minor Application form and have it signed by one of the RELS Minor Advisors, Dr. Kuhn or Dr. Lloyd-Moffett. You can pick up a form from their offices (Dr. Kuhn: 47-34P, Dr. Lloyd-Moffett: 47-34N) or in the Philosophy Department main office (47-37).
What are the benefits of being a RELS minor?
The Religious Studies minor provides students with cross-cultural, interdisciplinary approaches to understanding diverse religions. Because religions have such a pervasive influence on culture and society, a background in Religious Studies is an asset to students in their personal lives, their broader academic goals, and their professional careers. A minor in Religious Studies enhance a degree in any major. For more information on the career opportunities available to Religious Studies minors, please see "What do I do with a RELS minor?".
Besides these invaluable and intangible benefits, there are many concrete, immediately gratifying, and fun benefits from being a Religious Studies minor! These include priority admission to RELS classes – RELS classes tend to fill quickly and minors are often the only students we can allow to “crash;” our participating in our quarterly field trips, Movie nights, and Food & Religion nights; our annual camping trip; and perhaps every minor’s favorite benefit: Dr. Lloyd-Moffett’s partner's brownies, which are arguably the best in the world. It is might be worth becoming a minor just for those!
Do RELS minor classes also count for GE credit?
Yes, courses you take to fulfill the RELS minor that are also GE classes will “double-count” as the GE courses you need to graduate. We offer several courses that fulfill GE requirements, including Areas C4, D3 and D5.
Do RELS minor classes also count for USCP credit?
Yes, courses you take to fulfill the RELS minor that are also USCP courses will “double-count” as the USCP courses you need to graduate.
Do RELS minor classes also count for my major program or my double-minor?
Yes, if courses are cross-listed with your major or if your program approves RELS courses as electives, they can “double-count” towards your major as well. For instance, courses cross-listed with ART, PHIL, POLS, PYSC, SOC and WGS count towards those programs as well. In addition, many programs will also approve particular RELS courses as electives for the major (for instance, “RELS 311 Islam” for International Business). Check with your major advisor to see if any of the RELS courses will work for your major, as well.
I already have a minor. Can I also minor in Religious Studies without taking an extra quarter to do so?
Yes, many of our students earn double-minors. Because a RELS minor requires just 24 units, many of which overlap with GE, USCP and electives in several majors, creating space in your curriculum for a Religious Studies minor is very easy. And because minors have priority adding into RELS classes – even those that satisfy GE, USCP and elective requirements, earning a RELS minor may even help you get the classes you need to graduate more quickly.
Can I receive credit for Religious Studies courses I take while studying abroad?
Many of our students take courses while studying abroad that count towards the Religious Studies minor. Students have taken classes while studying abroad in Thailand, Spain, and Italy, among other places. These are determined on an individual basis by the Religious Studies minor advisors, depending on the content of the courses offered abroad. It is a good idea to check with Dr. Kuhn or Dr. Lloyd-Moffett during the application process, to be sure you will receive credit towards the minor for the courses you take abroad.
I transferred to Cal Poly from another school. Will I receive credit for the Religious Studies courses I took there?
In many cases, courses taken at previous universities may count towards your Religious Studies minor. This is determined on an individual basis depending on the content of the course in question. Please see Dr. Kuhn or Dr. Lloyd-Moffett for an assessment of your particular courses.
What if I can’t finish the RELS minor for some reason?
Because the Religious Studies minor is only 24 credits and overlaps with so many different GE, USCP and major elective classes for so many students, it is usually a very easy minor to fulfill. However, should you discover that you have not completed the requirements by the time you are set to graduate, there are no repercussions or penalties. You simply do not fill out the RELS Minor Completion form, and you do not receive the minor.
I have completed the RELS Minor requirements. What do I do now?
Congratulations! Now all you need to do is fill out the Religious Studies Minor Completion form and have it signed by one of the Religious Studies Minor Advisors, Dr. Kuhn or Dr. Lloyd-Moffett. The form is available in the Philosophy Department main office (47-37). After it is completed and signed by Dr. Kuhn or Dr. Lloyd-Moffett, you are responsible for getting it to the Graduate Technician’s office to be sure that your Religious Studies minor appears on your transcript. The very last step is celebrating your hard work at the Religious Studies graduation party held annually for minors and their families during graduation weekend in June.
More questions?
Please contact Dr. Kuhn or Dr. Lloyd-Moffett.
