About the Religion and Philosophy Division

The Religion and Philosophy Division seeks to lead students into a deeper understanding of religion,--especially Christianity--with an emphasis on academic rigor and a spirit of genuine inquiry. We embrace our University's tradition to pursue the very highest of academic standards within a context that celebrates and extends the spiritual and ethical ideals of the Christian faith.

In keeping with founder George Pepperdine's vision for a Christian institution of higher education, all full-time faculty members in the Religion and Philosophy Division have received a doctoral degree in their field. Additionally, all full-time faculty that teach religion are active members in a Church of Christ. All our faculty members strive to balance their academic pursuits with being leaders in their faith communities and forming strong relationships with students. While many of our faculty are members of the Churches of Christ, our courses are structured around principles of non-denominational Christian traditions and our students come from a variety of religious backgrounds.

The Religion and Philosophy Division offers numerous courses in a variety of areas, including Biblical Studies and languages, Church History, Christian Thought, Missions and Ministry, at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.

Undergraduate

The Religion and Philosophy Division offers a three course Christianity and Culture sequence that is required for all Seaver undergraduates as part of their General Education requirements. This three course sequence gives an introductory overview to the world and literature of the Bible and considers its continuing effect as it shapes aspects of culture and influences Christian life and faith. In addition to the GE course sequence the division offers a major in Religion and Philosophy and minors in Religion, Vocational Ministry, and Philosophy. Many of our students are double majors, choosing to incorporate their desire to pursue a deeper understanding of Christianity with other topics, including: the Social Sciences, Communication, and the Humanities.

Graduate

The Religion and Philosophy Division offers three graduate programs at the Masters level: a Master of Science in Ministry, a Master of Arts in Religion, and the Master of Divinity. These programs are designed for students who wish to pursue careers in either ministry or academia. A joint J.D./M.Div. program is offered in conjunction with the School of Law for students interested in pursuing a Juris Doctor (law degree) and a Master of Divinity degree. To determine which graduate program best fits your career goals, please visit our graduate programs page. The Religion and Philosophy Division does not offer a doctoral program at this time. All Religion courses are taught in person on the Malibu Campus; distance learning courses are not available at this time.

Please feel free to contact our office if you have any questions or would like more information, or to schedule a classroom visit as part of a campus tour.