70%
of Americans indicate their workplace as the top location for the most frequent interaction with people who do not share their religion.*
*Public Religion Research Institute
Minor in Interfaith Leadership
Interfaith leadership at St. Thomas will prepare you to lead in career and community amid a world growing more religiously diverse. With an eye to professional preparation, you will study contemporary and historical encounters between, among and within various religious, spiritual and secular traditions, worldviews and ways of life.
Why Study Interfaith Leadership at St. Thomas?
Today's leaders must be aware of potential tensions and opportunities involving religious and worldview diversity, and have the ability to drive construction solutions with thoughtful action. With a minor in interfaith leadership, you will examine how religions and worldviews interact, discern your leadership strengths, acquire basic (inter)religious literacy and engage with lived religion in the world today.
Deepen Your Perspective
Minor Requirements
After an introduction to basic theological literacy and examining how various religious worldviews and ideologies influence justice and peace, you'll venture beyond the classroom to develop your leadship skills and gain first-hand experience with local religious diversity.
- THEO 100: Foundations (4 credits)
- THEO 227: Contexts: Justice & Peace (4 credits)
- THEO 228: Comparative: Interreligious Encounter (4 credits)
- THEO 228: Comparative: Topics (4 credits) or directed internship or research
Degree Awarded
- Minor in Interfaith Leadership
Practical Application
Tailor your minor in interfaith leadership to complement your vocational, academic and professional aspirations. You can choose to fulfill the final minor requirements by completing an internship with a community partner or a faculty-mentored research project on a topic related to interreligious studies or interfaith leadership.
Minor Requirements
Minor Requirements
After an introduction to basic theological literacy and examining how various religious worldviews and ideologies influence justice and peace, you'll venture beyond the classroom to develop your leadship skills and gain first-hand experience with local religious diversity.
- THEO 100: Foundations (4 credits)
- THEO 227: Contexts: Justice & Peace (4 credits)
- THEO 228: Comparative: Interreligious Encounter (4 credits)
- THEO 228: Comparative: Topics (4 credits) or directed internship or research
Degree Awarded
Degree Awarded
- Minor in Interfaith Leadership
Practical Application
Practical Application
Tailor your minor in interfaith leadership to complement your vocational, academic and professional aspirations. You can choose to fulfill the final minor requirements by completing an internship with a community partner or a faculty-mentored research project on a topic related to interreligious studies or interfaith leadership.
Engaged for the Common Good
Our faculty and students put studies into practice and take learning beyond the classroom.
Dominique Stewart ‘21
Dominique has embraced opportunities to study interreligious relations and practice interfaith leadership at St. Thomas. He served as an interfaith leader for the Jay Phillips Center, and received two Interreligious Research Fellowships to further his exploration, and he published a paper in the Journal of Interreligious Studies, a respected journal where established scholars publish their work. Stanford University even named him a 2018-19 University Innovation Fellow.
Dr. Fuad Naeem
Dr. Fuad Naeem, Director of the Encountering Islam Initiative at St. Thomas, teaches courses on Islam and Islamic theology, the Qur'an and the life of the Prophet. His scholarly interests include Islamic intellectual traditions in philosophy, theology and mysticism, Muslim encounters with religious others, the Qur'an and its exegesis, Islam and modernity, in addition to geographically, Islam in South Asia.
Career Paths
You'll be able to employ your interfaith leadership skills in a variety of different careers after graduation.
- Healthcare
- Education
- Business and team management
- International relations
- Media relations and journalism
- Public, civic and community leadership
- Law
- Social services
Gain the Skills Employers Seek
The need for religiously literate leaders is growing across all professions.
Real Experience
Your applied internship or research experience will show future employers you can lead, serve and communicate with diverse teams.
A Growing Need
Global religious populations are projected to grow at a rate 23 times higher than religiously unaffiliated populations.*
*Religious Freedom and Business Foundation
Leading for the Common Good
Our faculty offer a breadth of expertise, experience and perspective to guide your journey.
Father Steven McMichael
Fr. McMichael teaches courses related to Muslim-Christian dialogue and relations. He researches the resurrection of Jesus and image of God in medieval theology, as well as fifteenth-century Easter sermons.
Dr. Ted Ulrich
Dr. Ulrich teaches courses in comparative theology and world religions with an expertise in Hinduism, Buddhism and Christian theology. He has led study abroad programs to India and Hawaii.
Dr. Hans Gustafson
Dr. Gustafson teaches courses on interreligious studies, the study of religion, theology and interfaith engagement. He is the director of the Jay Phillips Center for Interreligious Studies at St. Thomas.
Learning in Action
You'll benefit from opportunities to get hands-on, practical experience outside of the classroom.
Tailor your minor to match your professional goals with an interfaith internship or faculty-mentored research project.
Get paid to do research with an Interreligious Research Fellowship with the Jay Phillips Center.
Take your learning global by studying away in India, Hawaii or Norway, to name a few.
Hone Your Leadership Potential
St. Thomas offers several interfaith programs, so you'll have plenty of opportunities to practice your leadership skills on campus.
This program fosters mutual understanding and cooperation between Christians and Muslims by providing educational opportunities for the community to learn about Islam, and for theologians in both faiths to engage in theological dialogue.
The Jay Phillips Center for Interreligious Studies promotes the academic study of interreligious relations and is dedicated to cultivating interfaith leadership that promotes basic (inter)religious literacy through lived encounter with people, communities, ideas and histories by providing opportunities to wrestle constructively with the world's increasing religious diversity and complexity.
Comprised of students, faculty and staff, the Interfaith Council is united in making St. Thomas a welcoming community for people of all faiths by promoting respect and understanding our differences.
Campus Ministry depends upon the leadership and service of students to get involved in activities and events. Our pastoral team supports each individual with Catholic priests and other professional spiritual leaders on campus, including a Jewish rabbi, a Protestant minister and a Muslim faith leader.
Take the Next Step
There is more to learn about St. Thomas; including our ranking as a Best Value School by U.S. News & World Report, the many classroom and extracurricular activities that will be part of your student experience and so much more. Schedule a visit to see our beautiful campus or start your application today.