Religion courses are provided at BYU so that students may progress in their religious understanding and convictions simultaneously with their educational progress in secular fields. Education in the major provides students with depth in a particular academic discipline. It introduces them to the type of thinking, language, and skills that prepare them for a career or further study in postgraduate or professional programs.
General education is intended to provide students with intellectual breadth.
It has always been the view of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints that education is not complete without proper integration of secular and religious knowledge and values. Secular understanding and skill are important attainments in life and will better serve the individual when accompanied by religious convictions, attitudes, and standards of behavior. Ideally, students should take one religion class each semester of enrollment. Fourteen hours of religion credit taken at BYU are needed to graduate-a core of 8 hours plus 6 hours of electives. Students may choose from an array of other courses offered by the Department of Ancient Scripture and the Department of Church History and Doctrine to fill the other 6 hours of religion credit needed.