Skip to main content

Religion Major, Minor

Banner image
Image
Communion elements
Friendly title
Religion
Undergraduate
Degree Options
Delivery Mode
Catalog code / API
REL.MAJ
REL.MIN
Identifier
0c1e6f65-ba9c-46bf-a72c-02bbd1c72c5b
Distinctives
  • Committed Christian faculty: Your professors are invested in both your academic success and your development as a capable Christian scholar. They'll guide you as you grapple with big questions about faith and belief.
  • Study abroad: Off-campus programs to places like Greece, Budapest, Tibet, and Israel will let you explore firsthand the geographical and cultural roots of Christianity and other religions.
  • Gain important skills: In your classes, you'll gain a deep knowledge of Christian thought and theology. But you'll also sharpen critical thinking and communication skills that will enhance any other discipline.
  • A vibrant community: Calvin's community is full of curious learners and provocative thinkers. You'll engage with your peers and professors not only in class, but through theology forums, student organizations, and more.
Introduction

Join a religion program that equips you to engage with the world thoughtfully and actively.

As a religion major or minor, you’ll explore the historical settings of Christianity and other religions both in the classroom and abroad. You’ll gain research and writing experience that will equip you for a career in law, journalism, ministry, and more.

You'll delve into the texts and beliefs of the Christian faith, but you'll also learn more about the ideas that guide followers of other world religions. You’ll learn to engage meaningfully with other people and concepts—all from within a framework of confident Christian faith. When you graduate, you'll be well equipped to thrive in graduate school or your career.

Environmental Health and Conservation Major (BS)

Banner image
Image
environmental_health
Friendly title
Environmental Health and Conservation: One Health Concentration
Undergraduate
Degree Options
Delivery Mode
Catalog code / API
EHC.ONEH.MAJ
EHC.ECO.MAJ
Area of study
Faculty
Identifier
529cc23e-0f06-4c68-b7e7-97d54b1fa39d
Distinctives
  • Two paths: Choose the area of focus that best fits your career goals: Ecology and Management or One Health. Each will prepare you to promote ecological health from a unique perspective.
  • A deeper purpose: We don’t stop at the mechanics of environmental science. Instead, you’ll dig deep into questions involving faith, ethics, conservation, and more.
  • Just the right size: We’re small enough to be a tight-knit community and big enough to receive funding for advanced, specialized equipment. That means you’ll get access to personalized faculty support, smaller classes, and cutting-edge technology.
Introduction

Are you awed by the vibrant life, color, and beauty of the earth? Do you see the hand of God in his creation, and do you have a deep desire to care for it? We do, too.

We are motivated by this simple idea—that the health and well-being of both humans and the environment are deeply interconnected.

At Calvin, you’ll find a passionate group of faculty and students who are already at work with initiatives like Plaster Creek Stewards and the Calvin Environmental Assessment Program. You’ll do meaningful, résumé-building research on topics like stream restoration, invasive plants and species, environmental threats, and more. With all of the rich outdoor environments that Michigan has to offer, you’ll have a place to begin caring for and to call your own.

Pre-Veterinary Medicine

Banner image
Image
Student petting a dog
Friendly title
Pre-Veterinary
Undergraduate
Degree Options
Delivery Mode
Catalog code / API
PRMED
Identifier
c02206dc-ee99-45d7-9f53-2cda9d806ef4
Introduction

Study and provide care for animals of all shapes and sizes.

Our students are accepted to top veterinary schools across the country. At Calvin, you’ll gain the academic knowledge, clinical experience, and personal confidence to succeed in veterinary school and your career.

Take classes in Animal Behavior, Vertebrate Biology, and Comparative Animal and Human Physiology. Then put it all to practice, whether with exotic animals at the John Ball Zoo, with farm animals at Kritter barn, or or with horses at the Equest Center for therapeutic riding.

Whether you pursue anesthesia, animal welfare, wildlife and conservation, or private practice, you’ll enrich lives by caring for the animals in your community.

Pre-Physical Therapy

Banner image
Image
woman exercising
Friendly title
Pre-Physical Therapy
Undergraduate
Degree Options
Delivery Mode
Catalog code / API
PRPHT
Identifier
be25ae84-96c9-4b61-89e4-c5c98f1b05c1
Distinctives
  • Gain practical experience: At Calvin, you’ll gain the observation hours and practical experience needed for success in a competitive field. Through internships and employment opportunities, you’ll build your skills in real-world settings.
  • Prepare for a fulfilling career: Calvin's flexible program allows you to pursue almost any major while still meeting the requirements for graduate school. An expert advisor will help equip you to achieve your academic and career goals. Here is a story about a recent alumnus with a career in physical therapy.
  • Know your professors: Our professors are committed to caring and supporting you every step of the way.
Introduction

Work with patients to get them moving again.

As a physical therapist, you’ll assist individuals with disabilities resulting from injury, disease, or a developmental disorder. To prepare for this career, all our students work with patients under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist. Our Service Learning Center will help you find clinical experience at places like Mary Free Bed, Exalta Health, and more.

As you train, get ready to study hard. At Calvin, our pre-physical therapy track pairs exceptionally well with our kinesiology pre-professional degree. However, we also give you the flexibility to pursue any major, with the guidance of a personal advisor.

Here, you’ll find rigorous academics, hands-on experience, expert guidance, and community -- everything you need to succeed in graduate school and beyond.

Pre-Pharmacy

Banner image
Image
ACP_3332
Friendly title
Pre-Pharmacy
Undergraduate
Degree Options
Delivery Mode
Catalog code / API
PRPHA
Identifier
210c8b63-48f5-459f-8959-e0d1c51a664a
Introduction

Gain the experience and knowledge needed to pursue either a PharmD or PhD degree in pharmacy school. Whichever your focus, you’ll play a vital role in the healthcare process by dispensing medication, monitoring patient health, developing new pharmaceutical agents, and more.

At Calvin, you'll work with a dedicated advisor to tailor an academic plan to your career goals. They’ll work with you to ensure that you graduate with the major, coursework, and internship experience needed to succeed in pharmacy school. Then you’ll put your knowledge to work by volunteering, working at local retail or hospital pharmacies, and conducting summer research.

Applied Film and Media Major

Banner image
Image
A student filming another student
Friendly title
Applied Film and Media Major
Undergraduate
Degree Options
Delivery Mode
Catalog code / API
APPFM.MAJ
Identifier
261ad373-7031-43fe-b33f-c3c37eea5e8c
Introduction

The Applied Film and Media major provides intensive study of film and media production methods and techniques. Applied Film and Media majors are required to complete an additional major or minor in another department or academic discipline.

Criminology Major, Minor

Banner image
Image
Three law students talking at a table
Friendly title
Criminology
Undergraduate
Degree Options
Delivery Mode
Catalog code / API
CRIM.MAJ
CRIM.MIN
Identifier
87303a37-21c3-4354-9b79-2fe302c06150
Distinctives
  • Unique learning opportunities: Calvin’s Prison Initiative provides inmates at the Handlon Correctional Facility (Ionia, MI) with the opportunity to complete a bachelor’s degree. Students from the Grand Rapids campus are able to take an "Inside-Out" class inside the prison with Handlon students and participate in a club on social justice involving students from both campuses.
  • Practical skills: Students will complete an internship at places such as local courts, victim services, police departments, mental health organizations, rehabilitation facilities.
  • Real-world research: Each professor in the department is an active researcher in their field. Students can take advantage of mentorship opportunities through faculty-student research projects.
  • Experts on campus: Calvin is renowned for hosting lectures, workshops, and conferences on important contemporary issues. Events on topics such as race and policing, restorative justice, and nonprofit anti-violence programs provide students with examples of applied criminology.
Introduction

Gain the skills and knowledge to become an agent of justice and renewal.

As a criminology major at Calvin, you'll focus on more than scientific inquiry into crime and the criminal justice system. You'll think analytically about crime, deviance, and harm—learning about their root causes and evaluating efforts to address them.

You'll engage directly with the real-world pursuit of justice through opportunities through Calvin's Prison Initiative, volunteering at rehabilitation facilities, interning at a police department, or working with community-based violence prevention organizations. You’ll have the opportunity to contribute to global conversations about crime by partnering with faculty in research projects and presenting at professional conferences.

Program Requirements

Internships

Take the knowledge you've gained in your Criminology classes and begin to apply it in the real world. Gaining work experience through an internship can help you determine what kind of career might be best for you. When you are entering your junior or senior year in the program you will need to apply for an internship placement. This can be completed as a for-credit internship by enrolling in SOC 380. This is a four-credit course that includes an average of 8-10 hours a week spent working in a local business or organization under the direction of an on-site supervisor. The course includes participation in regular seminar meetings and a project that details your learning throughout your internship experience. You can also find an independent internship to by utilizing resources at the Career Office or directly through an employer internship opportunity that fits within your Criminology career interests. Contact your Criminology advisor for more information on internships. 

Sociology Major, Minor

Content Manager
Banner image
Image
Soc-3
Friendly title
Sociology
Undergraduate
Degree Options
Delivery Mode
Catalog code / API
SOC.MAJ
SOC.MIN
Identifier
0a16a5de-91a4-4eb1-b172-8161aea538fe
Distinctives
  • Practical skills: Sociology students at Calvin get internships at places like local courts, police departments, rehabilitation facilities, counseling centers, and more. 85% of Calvin students have an internship experience before they graduate.
  • Faithful teachers: Your sociology professors are committed Christians whose faith informs their research and teaching in their field. They'll get to know you personally and even work with you to chart out your academic and career goals.
  • Off-campus learning: Calvin sociology students have traveled to Tegucigalpa to learn about justice issues from local workers and Honduran politicians. They've gone to Hollywood to analyze the culture and community of film. At Calvin, you'll have many opportunities to pursue your learning off-campus.
  • Real-world research: Each professor in the sociology department is an active researcher in their field. As a sociology student, you could team up with faculty on one of these projects. Programs like the McGregor Summer Research program can provide many opportunities for research that will bolster your skills and your résumé.
Introduction

Delve into tough questions about how our communities and social relationships shape our lives. Instead of easy answers, you’ll find rich conversations and different approaches to God’s plan for the world.

You’ll examine tension and disorder in society, examining the causes of injustice and suffering. You'll gain a deep understanding of human behavior and relationships, and you’ll equip yourself with the skills to foster renewal and work toward justice in both individual lives and entire communities.

Take your learning outside the classroom through paid research, community internships, off-campus programs, and featured lectures and seminars. You’ll graduate well-equipped for a career in criminology, missions, international development, social work, and more.