And now?! – Career perspectives
Career Preparation While Studying Religious Studies
Career preparation is an integral part of the MA program. Students can choose between two pathways: the Applied Career Track, which focuses on professional opportunities outside academia, and the Scientific Career Track, which prepares them for doctoral studies and a future in research.
The MA program equips students with the ability to apply academic perspectives on religion to a wide range of social and professional contexts. Graduates develop skills that are relevant for fields such as public administration and politics, education, museums, diversity management and other areas where knowledge of religious and cultural diversity is essential.
Internships in the MA Program in Religious Studies
As part of the elective Applied Career Track, MA students in Religious Studies complete an internship in a professional field related to their academic expertise. Students independently select an internship position that matches their interests and career goals, while CERES provides support throughout the process. It is also possible to complete an internship abroad and receive funding for this, e.g. through the Erasmus Internship and Scholarship program.
The program’s internship coordinators assist students in identifying suitable opportunities and offer guidance before and after the internship. Through its established networks with public institutions, organizations and companies, CERES helps students connect their academic expertise with professional practice.
Internships: Gaining Professional Experience and Establishing Professional Networks
Internships are an important part of career preparation and have helped many graduates enter the professional world. Through its extensive network of contacts with public institutions and organizations, CERES supports students in finding suitable internship opportunities that match their interests, skills and career goals.
Internships provide students with the opportunity to gain practical experience in companies, public institutions or non-governmental organizations. Lasting from several weeks to several months, they offer valuable insights into professional environments and help students develop skills for their future careers.
For many graduates, internships provide an important entry point into the job market. They allow students to apply their academic knowledge in practice, explore their strengths and interests, build professional networks and gain experience that can support their transition into employment.
Career Opportunities for Graduates
A degree in Religious Studies opens up a wide range of professional opportunities. After completing the MA program, graduates can apply their expertise in a variety of professional fields beyond the university or continue their academic career by pursuing a PhD.
Religious Studies is an interdisciplinary field at the intersection of the humanities and social sciences. Students acquire a broad understanding of theories, methods and current research from various academic disciplines. In addition, graduates of the MA program at CERES develop specialized language skills that provide a valuable advantage in a wide range of professional contexts.
Diverse Career Paths Beyond Academia
Like many humanities and social science disciplines, Religious Studies does not lead to a single predefined profession outside the university. Instead, it provides students with transferable analytical, research and intercultural skills that can be applied in many professional fields, including:
adult and higher education
libraries and archives
museums and exhibition centers
media, journalism and publishing
public relations and communication
religious institutions and associations
public administration, including integration and cultural offices
non-governmental organizations
intercultural consulting and training
development cooperation
tourism and cultural sectors
Please note that a degree in Religious Studies does not qualify graduates to teach Religious Education at secondary schools in Germany, where this requires a degree in Theology. Regulations may differ in other countries.
Doctoral Studies at CERES
The Center for Religious Studies (CERES) at Ruhr University Bochum offers an internationally recognised PhD program for graduates who wish to deepen their research within the broad field of Religious Studies.
Doctoral students receive continuous academic support through individual supervision and guidance from internationally renowned scholars. In addition, the program provides opportunities to engage with ongoing research at CERES through activities such as colloquia, workshops and collaborative projects.
Find out more about PhD opportunities here.
More information
For more information on career perspectives with a degree in the Comparative Study of Religion, please contact Prof. Dr. Anna Neumaier.