The Religious Studies Major provides a solid foundation for a variety of career paths by offering a broad selection of courses. According to a recent departmental survey, our alumni include a data and assessment administrator at a charter school, a second grade school teacher, a legislative and lobbying-related specialist at the capitol, a realtor, and more. Along with the aforementioned professionals are a student pursuing law school and a student in a joint masters program in Anthropology and Gender Studies.
Are you an alumnus of the Religious Studies Major? Go to the following page to find out how to submit your information to be included on our website: Alumni - How to Submit Your Information.
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2023
Emma Griffis
Religious Studies and English
I graduated from UCD with a double major in religious studies and English. I chose these majors for a career in hospital chaplaincy and continue my writing skills. I am a graduate student at Boston University in a Master of Divinity program. I have interned as a chaplain at UC Davis Medical center and am looking to complete another chaplain internship next summer. I am taking classes on interreligious pastoral care, conflict transformation, trauma, and family therapy. I encourage you to have an end goal in mind. Having a double major provided opportunity to learn in-depth about many religions not offered in a graduate program of divinity. Classes on religion and health, religion and ethics, prepared me for career-relevant problems and put me ahead of my classmates. I encourage you to get involved in RST tea, notes from the field lunches to learn more about different RST faculty. I’m most proud of finishing my honors thesis with the religious studies major.
2022
Max Stuart
Religious Studies and Computer Science
I was a double major in religious studies and computer science. I really enjoyed reading about religions and learning the different ways people think and their stories. Religious studies is such a wide field - covering literature, art, history, culture - it's kind of a combination of many of the other humanities subjects and that keeps the subject new and interesting in every class. Try a wide variety of GE classes so that you can find a subject other than your major that you genuinely like. I use my religious studies major to support my creative writing.
Charles Pfost
Religious Studies and Philosophy
My interest in scholastic philosophy is heavily tied to Aquinas, Scotus, Lewis and other Christian apologetics. I took a few classes for fun and realized the most informed and best people to have conversations with about theology and philosophy were in the RST department, not the philosophy department. Davis' philosophy department is so focused on science and math that very few of the professors can engage in conversations about the more fun parts of philosophy like ontology, ethics, and metaphysics unless it is somehow tied to science or medicine.
Figure out what the necessary classes are for your major, find out which ones are not offered more than once a year, and take those as soon as possible. You don't want to be a senior and find out that you are missing a class that is only offered in the fall by one professor and you are already halfway through the fall. Do a major or double major if you're willing, and if you have the capacity to read and abundant amount of material and retain it for papers and discussions. I continue to use my knowledge and the way my major changed the way I think and act in the world every day.
Stephanie Lopez
Religious Studies
I wanted to pursue a religious studies major due to my interest in people and cultures, and religion was a great method of study to do so. I was able to see the effects of religions from history into modern day and how it interacts with important philosophical questions that affect people's daily lives. Even though I was focused on Christianity, I got to explore other religions like Islam, Zen Buddhism, and Judaism, which helped expand my knowledge of culture and history.
One piece of advice I would give to a new student at UC Davis is to check out all the resources UC Davis offers to students and also check the resources available from your major department. There are a lot of resources that help you succeed at Davis and also fun opportunities, both academic and non-academic. Religious Studies is heavily based on reading and writing and all that work created very helpful skills to succeed at my job.
At my current position with UC Merced I am administrative support to my department chairs, so there's a lot of information that I am responsible to know about campus and their departments. I'm also responsible for communicating said information to/from my chairs, but also other departments on campus. I would recommend a student to pursue a RST major because if you're inserted in people and cultures, this is great way to go about it. Not only do you understand the history of the religion, but the causes and effects of it, the way it reflects into modern day, and also a profound understanding of human differences. There are also many opportunities to gain tools and resources from an RST major that you can apply to jobs outside of university.
Martin Ha
Religious Studies
I loved the religious studies major, classes, and professors. They made the department enjoyable. Remember coming to UC Davis as a freshman your chosen major might not be the one you stick with. Take classes outside your major and see what you really like. I’m currently pursuing my teaching credential and my religious studies major gave me somewhat a background in world history and religion. The major was great in diversity and different religious topics.
2021
Omar Ortiz
Religious Studies and Sociology
While attending UCD, I was a double major in religious studies and sociology. I encourage students to read, read, and read ahead of time if possible. Make sure to attend office hours, use the library. I hope students enjoy the knowledge and have fun.
2020
Kenton Goldsby
Religious Studies and Spanish
I graduated in June 2020 with a double major in Religious Studies and Spanish. The study of religion immediately felt like the appropriate avenue for me! I studied abroad at the University of Barcelona in Barcelona, Spain. My program was oriented mostly toward my double major in Spanish, but it afforded me the chance to immerse myself in the Catalan culture, learn Catalan as a third language, and take one course that counted toward my RST major.
While on campus, take classes with the professor you’ve heard things about, it might turn out that one class changes your entire life trajectory. The faculty in the religious studies department are some of the most caring, thought-provoking, and truly genuine people on the UC Davis campus. The education you will receive will inspire you for a lifetime.
I am currently a Master of Divinity student at Harvard Divinity School, with my studies focusing on queer and trans-affirming Mainline Protestantism. I am pursuing ordination in my Christian tradition, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, and discerning if I should work toward a Ph.D. in the study of religion or theology.
2019
Ramsey Hufford
Religious Studies
I majored in religious studies and a double minor in English and human rights. At first I decided on religious studies because I thought it was interesting, but then released it offered great insight into diverse cultures and how people make meaning in their lives. Be open to exploring and expanding your mind, but make sure you have a post-graduation plan for what kind of career you would like to step into. If you can, study abroad. I had an amazing time studying abroad in London where I had an internship at RIX research and media. It was a great learning experience to be immersed in another culture and see the world from a different view. I have been using my religious studies major to better understand and define my own ethics. My degree has been useful in allowing me to better understand diverse cultures and ways of life and explain that to my community to foster inclusivity and acceptance.
Adnan Perwez
Religious Studies, History and Political Science
I was a triple major while attending UCD, majoring in religious Studies, history and political science. I’ve been in grad school, and now law school. Did my MTS at Harvard, and doing my JD at Berkeley Law. My particular focus is civil rights work, with a general interest in liberation theology & faith-based activism.
The RST department collectively is one the most passionate, brilliant faculty departments I’ve been able to engage with. They’re committed to their students, and think deeply and critically about their respective topics. RST, and in specific the small upper level seminars, were some of the meatiest intellectual engagement I’ve had in my undergrad. RST isn’t seen as an immediately ‘obvious’ track to an incoming undergrad, compared to a field like Political Science or Psychology. But due to the endless array of perspectives you can bring to the field, I think any student looking for an insightful, eclectic, rich, and creative intellectual experience in their major should look into RST.
Get to know your professors. Ask them questions, advice, thoughts, debates in office hours. Take small seminars when you’re able to. Ask to sit in graduate seminars. Grab coffee with the Ph.D. students. Attend the talks. The university space is one of the last places your mind will ever be stretched to the limit. In many ways, the intellectual molding and growth you do (or do not) have here will shape the rest of your life. Take advantage of this time and this space. The more you give to it, the more it will give back to you.
Cynthia Alvarado
Religious Studies and Art Studio
I double majored in religious studies and art studio while attending UCD. I enjoyed the overlap for my two major and personal interests. My peer advising job and my role as a founding member of the Religious Studies Club at UCD helped me refine the experience needed to work at the Lancaster Alternative Virtual Academy and as an Art Program Leader for the City of Lancaster. The RST department is a hidden gem on campus. With great faculty and staff, it’s a place I’m happy and proud to have received my education from. The amount of creativity and genuine academic interest by all those involved in the subject make the courses some of the best classes on campus. I am fortunate to have taken these classes and met such wonderful faculty in the process.
Do a senior thesis, even if you fail it’s a great experience that can help shape your academic career. The critical thinking and research involved teaches you to be more creative and prepares you for the next step in life. Go to RST Tea Time, it’s the place for the inside scoop on all the newest courses and great conversation with students and professors. Always make time to make sure you are living a balanced and interesting life. Surround yourself with people who have goals and help make you a better and a more interesting person. Make the most of the opportunities that come your way. Do not be afraid to ask questions and always remember you are smarter than you think. Trust yourself and the staff around you--they have your best interest at heart.
2018
Rufa Pazyuk
Religious Studies and Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior
I double majored in Religious Studies and NPB while attending UCD. I am currently an advisor for the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at UCD. I worked as a peer advisor during undergrad and continued on the path as an advisor after graduating. Take courses you find enjoyable and courses you want to learn more about (even if they are not counting towards GEs/major--you’re only an undergrad once)! RST courses were some of my favorite courses during undergrad. Find a practical major, something that holds a promising career afterwards, but also make sure it aligns with your interests.
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2017
Emily Fine
Religious Studies and International Relations
I was a double major in Religious Studies and International Relations. I currently have a job as a visitation monitor and attending graduate school at University of San Diego Kroc School of Peace Studies. I’m pursuing a master of science in conflict management and resolution. Going to office hours is so important; it helps you get involved with getting involved with faculty-led research.
Eileen Yohannes
Religious Studies
I am a 2017 graduate of the UCD Religious Studies Department, currently living in Jerusalem, Israel! I am pursuing a full year of Immersion Arabic at the Hebrew University and am planning on going for my MA degree in International Law and Conflict Resolution, also in Jerusalem. Without Davis, and the RST faculty, I would have never stumbled upon my passion for the Middle East, its people, and its incredible cultural variety. The faculty at Davis gave me the courage and connections to follow my dream of living in Jerusalem. The field of RST is vibrant and integral to the ME conflict and I hope to work in the governmental sector after my advanced studies.
Andriana Malhi
Religious Studies and Psychology
My name is Andriana Malhi. I am currently in Phoenix, Arizona. I will begin earning my doctorate in clinical psychology this fall.
UC Davis has given me the tools to excel and stay competitive in a doctorate-level classroom. The quarter system at Davis especially has taught be good lessons in time-management. I left Davis with lifelong friends that check up on me every week.
2016
Atrin Toussi
Religious Studies and Neurobiology, Physiology, and Behavior
I owe who I am today more to the religious studies major at UC Davis than to any other experience. Having also majored in the sciences, I know it’s useful to understand the ‘hows’ of life. But only religious studies carves a space to understand life’s various ‘whys.’ And in teaching [me] the depth of human existence, religious studies has prepared me for now starting my career in medicine. Accepted to UC Davis Medical school-starting August 2016.
2015
Marianne Glaser
Religious Studies and Human Development
I work at the Osher Marin Jewish Community Center as the Program Coordinator in the Jewish Life department. I didn't plan to major in Religious Studies. I took some RST classes to satisfy my GE's. Before I knew it, l had already taken enough classes for an RST minor but there were still so many more I was interested in taking. I guess I ended up in the department purely because I found the subject matter so compelling. UC Davis was a good fit for me, academically and socially. I would remind incoming freshmen that there is no point in stressing too much over your major. An overwhelming majority of jobs just care that you have a degree, and it does not necessarily matter that much what it is in.
Brendan Sullivan
Religious Studies and Applied Mathematics
Since I graduated in early 2015, I first immediately went into industry as an automation engineer at Janssen Pharmaceuticals (Johnson & Jonson). After a little under a year, I decided to pursue a graduate program in Math. I am currently enrolled in the graduate department for pure mathematics at UC Santa Cruz. After that, I plan to work as a Data Scientist. I majored in religious studies because my grandpa was a former seminary student, and my dad was an altar boy. I figured it was tradition in some sense. Also it was a great way to distinguish me from other job applicants. I had an overall very positive experience, and the RST department only made it better. They really care about the students, and engage our passions and ambition. It didn't feel competitive or isolating. I would advise at the very least, minoring in some kind of humanities, even for STEM majors. Double majoring is also very doable, and not really that difficult at all, especially in polarizing fields as humanities and STEM.
Deyu Wang
Religious Studies and Genetics and Genomics
I am currently involved in a nonprofit organization associated with Americorps as a mentor and tutor to K-12 schools with high dropout rates. The material interested me and helped me decide a major in religious studies and since there are all kinds of people with different religions in America, I thought it'd be useful to major in religious studies. I had a wonderful time at UC Davis, regardless of the stress, pains, and aches that every college student goes through over exams and grades. Almost everyone was friendly and open to opinions and thoughts, the faculty really helped the students out with scheduling and managing extracurricular activities, and overall, I thought UC Davis was one of the more ideal colleges in the U.S. Talk to the professors and staff! They are amazing, helpful, and completely approachable!
2014
Rachel Elefant
Religious Studies and History
I just got back about a month ago from teaching English in Guangzhou, China for over a year and half, where I also got the privilege to travel to several South East Asian countries. Currently, I'm living at home in the Bay Area working at Peet's Coffee. My next step is to move to South American (most likely Chile) to, again, hopefully teach English, but also learn Spanish. I decided to study Religious Studies because religion greatly informs and influences our world and the people who live here. It impacts our social, cultural, political, and ethical lives whether you, yourself, are religious or not. I think learning about different religions can really help someone to understand more about the world and the citizens. And I think this is super important especially as we become a more globally minded planet. I also never met a religious studies major who didn't absolutely love what they were studying. It's a fascinating major. I loved my experience at UCD. I don't regret one single moment. It's a great university with a beautiful campus and beautiful people. I love that it's the kind of place where, when people see someone looking at a map, they go up to them to see if they need help. I still have a few friends living in Davis and I go back as often as I can. I just went up to Davis this last weekend. It's one of the first places I went after coming back home. My advice would be to get to know professors. Go to RST Tea. It's a great way to meet the professors, but also hang out with other RST students. Go to your professor’s office hours. It's such a small major so its super easy to learn about and get close to professors as well as the other students in the major. It also really helps when you are picking out your classes because you will know which professors you really enjoy. By my third year at Davis, I knew every religious studies student in my classes. It makes your time in class more enjoyable and easier when you know everyone. It's more like hanging out and having awesome discussions with friends and less like a class.
Kaleena Bergfors
Religious Studies
Upon graduation I traveled in South America for three months, volunteering at a community school in rural Ecuador. My time abroad helped to define my career path, and I now work in fundraising and outreach in Northern California. I majored in RST because from a young age I have always been interested in religion. It started with ancient mythology of Greece and Egypt, and evolved into a broad interest in understanding different worldviews as I got older. Religion is everywhere and frames how we view and act within the world. The ability to have an understanding and compassion helps in a global age where we encounter people with different beliefs on a daily basis. As a transfer student, my time as an undergraduate at UC Davis seemed all too brief. Despite being a large campus, I found a community of passionate students within the department. I enjoyed my time so much that I never left - I still live and work in Northern California. The best advice that I can give any incoming RST major is to go to office hours. The major is small and class sizes typically are 60 students or less (barring the 1-series), which provides an amazing opportunity to get involved in the discussion and build a relationship with your professors. In every class that I took, the professor learned the names of the students (yes, even in one of those 60-student courses!). If you have intellectual curiosity about particular subjects, office hours are an excellent opportunity to learn more, engage in compelling dialog and even get suggestions for further reading. It is interactions like these which will make for engaging and interesting letters of recommendation.
Alumni Profiles
2014
Kaleena Bergfors, BA: Religious Studies
Elea Friedman, BA: Religious Studies
Franciso Ortega, BA: Religious Studies
Samuel Rothmann, BA: Religious Studies
Mitchell Winter, BA: Religious Studies
2013
Teghpreet Ahluwalia Kaur, BA: Religious Studies and Psychology - Realtor
Katie Beer, BA: Religious Studies and History - Matriculating Graduate Student
Sean Dixon, BA: Religious Studies - Graduate Student
2012
Paige Minichiello, MA; BA: Religious Studies; MA: Education, UC Davis - Second Grade School Teacher