As a UD secondary Catholic religion education major, you'll learn the knowledge and skills necessary to help students discover and deepen their faith. The program leads to an Archdiocese of Cincinnati certificate to teach religion in grades 7-12.
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Students who choose to concentrate their studies in secondary Catholic religious education have a passion to teach students about religion and a willingness to have in-depth conversations with adolescents about what the Catholic faith means.
Majors in this program are mentored by a team of subject-matter experts across the university from the Department of Teacher Education, the Center for Catholic Education and the Department of Religious Studies.
Classroom observation and field experience begin during year one, and continue during years two and three. You'll receive 800 field hours in local schools, which is double the State of Ohio's requirement. During year four, you'll participate in student teaching. This full-time teaching experience includes supervision and evaluation to assist you in your continued growth and development as an educator.
Ready to take the next step? Explore admission options or schedule an academic visit to learn more about secondary Catholic religion education at UD.
This is a sample plan of study for students starting at UD in the 2025-26 academic year. This is a recommended course sequence, but your schedule may vary depending on previously earned college credits, course availability, advisor recommendations, and your personal goals and interests. Please contact your holistic advisor if you have any questions.
At the University of Dayton, our flexible undergraduate curriculum, known as the Common Academic Program (CAP), encourages you to integrate knowledge — and put it to use.
Wondering how college credits you've already earned (e.g., transfer credit, CCP, AP/IB/CLEP exams) will apply to your undergraduate degree? Use our online Transfer Credit Evaluation tool to find out.
Visit the Academic Catalog for official major requirements, prerequisite(s), course descriptions and more.
At the University of Dayton, applying is free and test scores are optional. When you apply, you'll automatically be considered for a merit scholarship.
Learn about our admission process, then apply using UD's application or the Common App.
Rooted in our Catholic, Marianist traditions, the University of Dayton is dedicated to being transparent and ensuring student success. And with high graduation and success rates, UD is an excellent value.
To help you cover your costs, a variety of scholarships, grants, loans and part-time student work are available. The University also accepts transfer credits and credit by exam for undergraduates, giving you more flexibility to add a double major or participate in a transformational experience like study abroad or co-op.
Get more than your foot in the door — get ready for success. At our School of Education and Health Sciences, you will have the opportunity to combine classroom and practical learning opportunities like observation and student teaching in a way that allows you to further sharpen your skills. It's a key reason why employers love hiring our students — they can hit the ground running.
At UD, you're never alone. Your holistic advisor will guide you through your college journey, and resources across campus are available to help you succeed academically, build community, gain real-world experience and prepare for your career.
Now you know what we're about: community, personal attention, hands-on learning, integrity and global thinking. Take the next step and connect with us today.