Religion

Religion Program

George Branch-Trevathan, Ph.D.
Department Chair

 gbranch@thiel.edu
 724-589-2145

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  • Theology and Youth Ministry | Major

    Theology Youth Ministry major

    Degree Awarded : Bachelor of Arts in Theology and Youth Ministry
    Total Credit Hours : 35

    About the Theology and Youth Ministry Major

    In the theology & youth ministry major, students study the theoretical foundations of ministry and learn practical skills for mentoring youth and others through courses in religion, psychology, and sociology. A theology degree prepares students for careers in teaching, ministry and any profession where reading, writing, critical analysis, as well as leadership and care of people are central.

    Visit our Academic Catalog (2023-2024) for course listings.

    Major Objectives

    The BA in Theology and Youth Ministry is a unique blend of ministry, biblical studies, and theology courses, including an upper-level course on vocational discernment and practice as well as an internship.

    • Gain familiarity with the biblical writings of the Jewish and Christian traditions and with scholarly approaches to interpreting these and other religious texts;
    • Interpret the nature of religious experience, Christian and otherwise, with a level of sophistication appropriate to an undergraduate scholar of religion;
    • Obtain knowledge of the key persons, works, and movements from the history of Christianity; and
    • Cultivate a mature understanding of the interrelatedness of religion and culture.

    Scholarship Opportunities

    Thiel College offers scholarships to students for reasons such as academic success, community service or involvement, exemplary leadership and more! The scholarships available to education majors are:

    • The William F. Behringer Scholarship for Religious Studies
    • Edith Binkley Scholarship
    • Walter and Gertrude Bradley Scholarship
    • The Michael Robert and Laura Belle Bretsnyder Scholarship Fund
    • Louis E. Creighton Scholarship
    • The Rev. Dr. Luther E. and Ruth (Potts) Fackler Scholarship
    • Virgil, Clara and Paul Fackler and Marian R. Moore Scholarship Fund
    • Graf/Obenauf Scholarship
    • Ellwood and Sara Hauser Scholarship
    • The Rev. Dr. Kenneth R. May Scholarship Fund
    • Mister Rogers Scholarship
    • Rev. E. Stewart Proper and William Stewart Proper Memorial Scholarship Fund
    • The Rev. Dr. Elmer and Dorothy Cooke Ortner Memorial Scholarship
    • Edward k. Rogers and Jane Holden Rogers Scholarship
    • The Rev. and Mrs. Everett R. Smail Pre- Seminary Scholarship Fund
    • The Betty Harter Spence ’37 Endowed Scholarship Fund
    • Rev. Robert E. Wolff Scholarship Fund
    • The Rev. Harry B. Wood Jr. ’47 and Margaret Kohler Wood ’46 Endowed Scholarship Fund

    Visit our Financial Aid page to learn more about the types of aid available to students.

    Clubs & Organizations

    It's easy to get involved on campus! Joining a student club or organization is an excellent way to meet others and gain leadership experience. An education major might be interested in the following clubs and orgs:

    • Thiel Christian Fellowship (T.C.F.)
    • Veritas Ars Quaero (Humanities Research Honorary Society)
    • Theta Alpha Kappa (National Religious Studies and Theology Honorary Society)
    • Fellowship of Christian Athletes
    • TC Soldiers for God
    • Lutheran Student Movement (L.S.M.)

    Visit our Campus Life page to see a full list of student clubs and organizations.

    Alumni & Careers

    Graduates of Thiel College's religion programs have gone on to distinguished graduate school programs and have worked in a variety of different occupations.

    Thiel graduates have pursued gradate degrees at Harvard Divinity School, Yale Divinity School, the University of Chicago Divinity School, Vanderbilt Divinity School, Union Theological Seminary in New York City, and nearly every Lutheran seminary! Alumni have also found employment in fields such as teaching, financial planning, non-profit administration, and hospitality.

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    Thiel College
    75 College Ave
    Greenville, PA 16125
    1-800-248-4435