Religious Studies
Associate in Arts Degree Religious Studies · Orange Coast College · 2026-2027 Catalog
The Religious Studies program at Orange Coast College is designed to provide students with a broad introduction to the academic study of religion. Students transferring to Religious Studies programs at four-year colleges will have a strong background for upper division work in the major. Non-majors will find most Religious Studies fulfill area requirements for AA and transfer degrees.
Program Outcome
Program Learning Outcomes
- Students will be able to analyze dimensions of various religions utilizing methodologies appropriate to the academic study of religion.
Requirements
Review Graduation Requirements and General Education.
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| RLST A100 | Introduction to Religious Studies | 3 |
| RLST A110 | World Religion | 3 |
| RLST A115/PHIL A115 | Philosophy of Religion | 3 |
| Restricted Electives - Select nine units from the following: | 9 | |
| ENGL A141/ENGL A141H | The Bible As Literature | |
| PHIL A120 | Ethics | |
| RLST A135 | Religion, Spirituality and Society | |
| RLST A150 | Philosophy of the East | |
| RLST A151 | Early and Western Religions | |
| Program Major Units | 18 | |
| OCC AA General Education Breadth: 24 units | 21 | |
| Selected Transferable electives to satisfy 60-unit Degree Requirement | 21.0 | |
| Total Minimum Degree Units - OCC AA GE | 60 | |
- Some program major units may also meet GE requirements.
- Cal-GETC pattern (up to 34 units) may be substituted.
- Multicultural Requirement may be met with a General Education or Major course.
Program Sequence
Program Sequence
These sequences at Orange Coast College are general course curriculum maps for students to finish all major and general education requirements for two-year completion of degrees, and/or fulfillment of transfer requirements. The course sequence may include course prerequisites and other placement requirements. Students are advised to meet with an Orange Coast College Counselor to review course selections and sequences to ensure that completion of this program will meet a student's transfer and career goals.
Year 1
| Semester 1 | Units |
|---|---|
| RLST A100 | Introduction to Religious Studies |
| RLST A110 | World Religion |
| OCC AA GE AREA 1A - CHOOSE ONE | 3-4 |
| OCC AA GE AREA 4 - CHOOSE ONE | 3 |
| Units |
| Semester 2 |
|---|
| RLST A115or PHIL A115 |
| AA RESTRICTED ELECTIVE - CHOOSE ONE (See Requirements) 1 |
| OCC AA GE AREA 1B - CHOOSE ONE |
| OCC AA GE AREA 2 - CHOOSE ONE |
| AA Global/Multicultural Requirement - CHOOSE ONE 2 |
| Summer |
|---|
| ELECTIVE (DEGREE APPLICABLE) 3 |
Year 2
| Semester 1 |
|---|
| AA RESTRICTED ELECTIVE - CHOOSE ONE (See Requirements) 1 |
| OCC AA GE AREA 7E THEORY - CHOOSE ONE 4 |
| OCC AA GE AREA 5 - CHOOSE ONE |
| ELECTIVE (DEGREE APPLICABLE) 3 |
| Semester 2 |
|---|
| AA RESTRICTED ELECTIVE - CHOOSE ONE (See Requirements) 1 |
| OCC AA GE AREA 6 - CHOOSE ONE 6 |
| OCC AA GE AREA 7E ACTIVITY - CHOOSE ONE 4 |
| ELECTIVE (DEGREE APPLICABLE) 8 |
- Major Restricted Electives - at least a minimum of nine (9) units are required.
- OCC AA Global/ Multicultural required if not already taken in other GE areas, refer to AA Graduation Requirement webpage; if requirement is fulfilled by PHIL A120, take degree applicable elective units
- VARIES TO REACH MINIMUM 60 DEGREE APPLICABLE UNITS
- OCC AA GE AREA 7E requires a minimum of 3 units to include one course from 7E- Theory/non-activty and one course from 7E- Activity