Brigham Young University
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Graduate Programs | Religion Requirements | Religious Studies Center | Richard L. Evans Chair of Religious Understanding


370 JSB, PO Box 25693, (801) 378-2735

Dean: Robert L. Millet, Professor, Ancient Scripture
Associate Dean: Paul Y. Hoskisson, Associate Professor, Ancient Scripture
Associate Dean: Brent L. Top, Associate Professor, Church History and Doctrine

The following departments are in Religious Education:

Religion courses are provided so that students may progress in their religious understanding and convictions simultaneously with their educational progress in secular fields. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has always maintained that education is not complete without proper integration of secular and religious knowledge and values.
Religious Education administers all religion courses sponsored by the university. Courses are available in ancient and modern scripture, Church history and doctrine, and related subjects. Undergraduate majors are not offered in religion; however, some graduate offerings in the 500s and 600s are available for use as minors or supporting courses in some of the graduate degree programs of other departments at BYU.



Religion Requirements

All students at BYU should include regular gospel study as a continuous part of their university experience. Full-time undergraduate students should take one religion class at BYU each semester of enrollment until a minimum of 14 semester hours in religion has been earned toward a bachelor's degree. All students who will graduate from BYU must complete 4 hours of credit in Book of Mormon. This should be done during the first year here. Students may complete this requirement by taking RelA 121 and 122. Returned missionaries must enroll in sections designated for returned missionaries.

No more than 4 hours of religion credit per term, quarter, or semester, whether taken at BYU or elsewhere, may be counted toward the religion requirement. (Spring and summer terms together equal a semester.) Semester Abroad programs may require exceptions.
Part-time students and students enrolled for a term or a block must complete 2 credit hours of religion for every 16 hours of BYU registration.
Classes identified with numbers from 100 to 499 may be used to meet the religion requirement. Classes numbered in the 500s and 600s do not apply toward undergraduate religion credit.

Students Entering BYU Before Fall Semester 1985

Complete the requirements as explained above.

Students Entering BYU Fall Semester 1985 and Afterward

In addition to Book of Mormon, all students enrolled after summer term 1985 must complete one New Testament class and one Doctrine and Covenants class. The New Testament requirement may be filled by taking any one of the following: RelA 111, 200, 211, 212, 310, 311. The Doctrine and Covenants requirement may be filled by taking RelC 324 or 325.

Students who are not LDS are strongly encouraged to enroll in RelC 100, Introduction to Mormonism, during their first semester in residence. This course is designed to be informational, to introduce students to the culture, scriptures, and distinctive doctrines of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and to prepare them for subsequent religion classes. RelC 100 may be used to fill the core requirement of either New Testament or Doctrine and Covenants.

Transfer Students

Transfer students must fulfill the BYU graduation requirement in religion according to the following four guidelines. Requirements 1 through 3 can be completed at an LDS institute of religion or one of the other Church Educational System schools, as well as at BYU. Requirement 4 can be satisfied only at BYU.

  1. All students must complete the entire Book of Mormon sequence, RelA 121 and 122.
  2. Students transferring with fewer than 64 semester hours (96 quarter hours) of college credit must complete one course in the Doctrine and Covenants and one course in the New Testament.
  3. Students transferring with 64 or more semester hours but fewer than 96 semester hours (144 quarter hours) must complete one course in the Doctrine and Covenants.
  4. All students must complete a minimum number of religion credits at BYU according to the following schedule, regardless of the number of religion hours completed elsewhere:

Total Transfer Credits

BYU Religion Hours Required
0–15.9 14 Book of Mormon (121 and 122), one Doctrine and Covenants class, and one New Testament class required.
16–31.9 12
32–47.9 10
48–63.9 8
64–79.9 6 Book of Mormon (121 and 122) and one Doctrine and Covenants class required.
80–95.9 4
96 or more 2 Unless more hours needed to fill Book of Mormon requirement.

Note: The transfer credits are shown in semester hours. To convert quarter hours to semester hours, multiply the quarter hours by two and divide by three (i.e., 12 quarter hours x 2 = 24  3 = 8 semester hours).

Courses for Ancient Scripture and Church History and Doctrine

See Religious Education in the Academic Departments, Degrees, and Courses section of this catalog.

Students Studying Off Campus

BYU students who study off campus to fulfill degree requirements are required to register for a religion course during the semester. This can be fulfilled through Independent Study or at a BYU Continuing Education center.

Religion Credit from Non-LDS Colleges and Universities

Religion credit from non-LDS universities and colleges will not satisfy the religion requirement at BYU. The transfer credit will, however, apply as elective credit toward the total hours required for graduation.

Religion Credit Completed at Centers for Continuing Education

Students must complete 2 credit hours of religion for every 16 hours of registration at BYU Continuing Education centers.

Preparation for Church Educational System Employment

To be considered for employment as a professional seminary teacher, a student must obtain a bachelor's degree in a major of his or her choice and complete the seminary teacher training classes (RelC 370, 471). Following a student teaching experience in a local seminary, the most effective teachers are recommended for full-time assignments. Complete information is available through the Office of Seminaries and Institutes (207 JSB, [801] 378-2031).



Graduate Programs

See the 1998-99 BYU Graduate Catalog.



Religious Studies Center

(270 JSB, PO Box 25693)

The dean of Religious Education is also the general director of the Religious Studies Center, which promotes research in such areas as Ancient Studies, Bible, Book of Mormon, Church History, Doctrine and Covenants, Pearl of Great Price, Special Projects, and World Religions.

The center is a supporting and coordinating agency for religion-oriented research throughout the university and the Church, concentrating on research, writing, and other scholarly activities.



Richard L. Evans Chair of Religious Understanding

The Richard L. Evans Chair of Religious Understanding promotes understanding among people of different faiths. Its purpose is to articulate to a broad audience the religious values to which Elder Evans dedicated his life and to promote an enlightening exchange among Latter-day Saints, members of other faiths, and other people of good will.






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Please report any errors. Updated 27 March 1998 by web_ugrad_cat@byu.edu