California State University, Chico today announced Religious Studies as its newest Bachelor’s of Arts Online Degree Completion Program.

The 34-unit degree program will begin courses in fall 2018 and features an entirely Web-based curriculum, though many of the courses also provide live, synchronous video streaming of course lectures. Students must be admitted to the University to participate in the program.

“We are extremely proud of this new BA program as the only online Religious Studies degree program in the state of California and one of only five globally,” said Robert Knight, dean of the College of Humanities and Fine Arts. “Development of the program comes at a time when public understanding of religion and its connections with multiple cultures and inter-cultural understanding is perhaps more important than it has ever been.”

Online courses offered as part of the degree include Roots of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam and Religion, Politics, and Conflict.

Offered through Regional and Continuing Education, CSU, Chico’s Distance and Online Education also offers bachelor’s degree programs in social science, liberal studies, and sociology, and a master’s program in nursing. More than 300 students have been admitted to online degree programs at CSU, Chico for the current term.

The University’s Distance and Online Education offerings have long received accolades. Most recently, its online learning degree program for social science was named the best value in the nation by the website AffordableColleges.com, which listed the most affordable online learning programs in the nation in more than 10 categories.

Additionally, the same website ranked both CSU, Chico’s liberal studies and sociology online programs at No. 21 in the nation in terms of value.

The application period to apply to fall 2018 online degree programs is Oct. 1 through Nov. 30, 2017. This is the same application period as for on-campus degree programs. The online Cal State Apply application form is only open during this time.

Detailed information, including admission information and deadlines, application instructions, and registration procedures can be found on the Distance and Online Education website.

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About California State University, Chico

California State University, Chico is the second-oldest campus in the 23-member CSU system, the nation’s largest public university system. Founded in 1887, Chico State enrolls approximately 17,500 students and offers more than 230 graduate and undergraduate programs through its seven colleges and five schools. The campus is consistently ranked as one of the best regional public universities in the Western United States and is the only CSU campus to have earned a favorable rating in all five categories of the US Department of Education’s College Scorecard, which rates universities on affordability and value. Its mission includes a broad commitment to environmental sustainability, public service and community engagement throughout the 12-county North State region, where the campus is located. The University became a federal Hispanic-Serving Institution in 2015.