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Studies & Degrees in Philosophy of Religion

Philosophy of religion examines religious ideas with the tools of philosophy. The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy defines it as the philosophical examination of the themes and concepts involved in religious traditions, together with reflection on the nature of religion itself and on alternative concepts of God or ultimate reality. It also assesses worldviews that are alternatives to religious ones, such as secular naturalism. The subject is different from theology, which usually works from within one faith: philosophy of religion does not assume that any religious claim is true.

Students work on a set of classic questions. What do religious statements mean? Can belief be justified, and by what kind of evidence? Are the arguments for the existence of God sound? If God is all-powerful and perfectly good, why is there evil? How do religion and science relate, and what follows from the fact that there are many religions? The field draws on all the main areas of philosophy, from metaphysics and the theory of knowledge to ethics and the philosophy of language. According to the same encyclopedia, it emerged as a distinct sub-field in the mid-twentieth century, and traditions outside Judaism, Christianity and Islam have increasingly become part of it.

Qualifications and levels

Philosophy of religion is rarely a degree of its own. It is practised mainly in departments of philosophy and of religious studies, and most students meet it as a course or a specialisation inside a broader degree.

  • A course within a bachelor's degree. At the University at Albany, a campus of the State University of New York (SUNY), Philosophy of Religion is a 3-credit course listed jointly by philosophy and religious studies. It analyses selected religious concepts through the writings of philosophers and theologians, focuses on the Judeo-Christian tradition and requires a previous introductory philosophy course. The same department offers a Philosophy BA, an MA and a PhD, all taught in person.
  • Philosophy degrees in Europe. The bachelor's programme in Philosophy at the University of Graz has 180 ECTS credits and lasts six semesters; the teaching language is German, and students must show Latin skills in order to graduate. In Spain, official bachelor's degrees (grados) have 240 ECTS credits and master's degrees 60, 90 or 120.
  • Theology and religious studies. The University of Graz also has a Department for Philosophy inside its Faculty of Catholic Theology, which teaches the philosophical subjects of the theology programmes and is open to students of other faculties. Its master's programme Religion Culture Society (120 ECTS credits, four semesters, taught in German) lets students choose between a focus on religious studies and one on theological studies.
  • Doctorate. Specialised work in the field is normally done at doctoral level, with a thesis on a topic in philosophy of religion written within a philosophy, theology or religious studies programme.

Where to study

SpainExchange lists 2 active schools for philosophy of religion: the University of Graz in Austria and SUNY in the United States. Because the subject is a standard part of philosophy, theology and religious studies, it can also be studied at many universities that do not advertise it as a separate programme. When comparing degrees, look at the course list: check whether philosophy of religion is compulsory or optional, which traditions it covers, and whether the department is a philosophy department or part of a faculty of theology with a confessional profile.

The language of instruction depends on the country. The Graz programmes named here are taught in German; the Albany programmes are taught in English.

Careers

There is no profession reserved for philosophers of religion. Research and university teaching are the direct route, and they require a doctorate: the US Bureau of Labor Statistics states that postsecondary teachers typically must have a PhD. It projects overall employment of postsecondary teachers to grow 7 percent from 2025 to 2035, but the group of philosophy and religion teachers is small, at 26,800 jobs in the United States, and is projected to grow by 2 percent.

Most graduates therefore use the degree more broadly. The University of Graz lists education, the media, libraries, publishing, journalism, knowledge management, intercultural communication and political and ethical consultancy as fields for its philosophy graduates, and cultural management, journalism, social work and counselling, work with refugees and the education sector for those who focus on religious studies.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between philosophy of religion and theology?

Theology usually studies a faith from within its tradition. Philosophy of religion examines religious concepts and claims by philosophical argument, and it also studies non-religious worldviews.

Do I have to be religious to study philosophy of religion?

No. The subject analyses arguments for and against religious beliefs and includes the assessment of alternatives such as secular naturalism.

Is there a bachelor's degree in philosophy of religion?

Usually not. It is taken as a course or specialisation within a philosophy, theology or religious studies degree; at the University at Albany, for example, it is a 3-credit course.

Which language are the programmes taught in?

That depends on the university. The philosophy bachelor's and the Religion Culture Society master's programmes at the University of Graz are taught in German.