Institute of Religion

To help students become capable and trusted disciples of Jesus Christ, religion classes are an integral part of education at Ensign College. Students are strongly encouraged to take a religion class each semester they are enrolled. President M. Russell Ballard said, “If you are attending a church school, consistently include a class each semester in religious education” (Ensign or Liahona May 2015). 

Graduation Requirements for Certificates and Degrees

There is no degree, major, or minor, offered from the Ensign College Institute of Religion.  To earn any certificate or degree offered by Ensign College, the Religion Course requirements listed below must be met.

Certificate Requirements:

  • Certificate programs with 25 credits or less may not require any religion courses. See certificate requirements for details.
  • Certificate programs with 26 – 29 credits will require one religion course.
  • Certificate programs with 30 or more credits will require two religion courses.

AAS and AS Degree Requirements:

  • Two of the four cornerstone courses plus any two additional courses. 8 total credits required.

BAS Degree Requirements:

  • A minimum of 14 credits are required, comprised of the following:
    • Four cornerstone courses, 8 total credits.
    • Three additional religion courses, 6 total credits.

 

The four cornerstone courses are:

REL 200 – The Eternal Family
REL 225 – Foundations of the Restoration
REL 250 – Jesus Christ & His Everlasting Gospel
REL 275 – Teachings and Doctrine of the Book of Mormon
 
Additional religion courses can be found in the list of course descriptions.

 

Second Religion Class in the Same Semester

Students are strongly encouraged to take one religion class each semester they are enrolled. More than two religion credits in the same 7-week period or 4 religion credits in the same semester will require administrative approval by submitting the Permission to Enroll in a course form.

Transfer of Religion Credit from Other Church Schools or Institutes of Religion

Religion credit earned at Church Educational System (CES) Institutes of Religion and other CES Schools will transfer to Ensign College as an equivalent religion course or elective credit so long as the course is taken for “CES Transfer” credit and such credit is noted on an official Institute/University transcript. Students who are attending Ensign College on-campus are strongly encouraged to register for religion courses offered through Ensign College.

Transfer of Academic Credits from Non-Church Schools

 

Students that transfer to Ensign College that have no religion credits must meet the religion requirements for graduation.  The number of academic credits being transferred, and the desired degree, help determine how many religion credits are required.  The matrix below, along with your Student Success Advisor, can help provide further guidance.

Students Seeking BAS Degrees

Total Hours
Transferred to Ensign

Total Ensign Religion Hours to Take While Enrolled at Ensign

 Cornerstone Courses Required for Graduation*

0-14

14

 

  REL 200: The Eternal Family

  REL 225: Foundations of the
  Restoration

  REL 250: Jesus Christ and the
  Everlasting Gospel

  REL 275: Teachings and
  Doctrine of the Book of
  Mormon

  or approved substitutions

15-29

12

30-44

10

45-59

8

60-74

6**

75-89

4**

90 or more

2**

* All students graduating from Ensign College, BYU, BYU–Idaho, BYU–Hawaii and institutes of religion must complete ALL Cornerstone requirements. Credit for these courses may be transferred from BYU–Idaho, BYU–Hawaii, and institutes of religion as per current policy.

**More religion credit may be needed if Cornerstone requirements have not been completed. 

Students Seeking AAS or AS Degrees

Total Hours
Transferred to Ensign

Total Ensign Religion Hours to
Take While Enrolled at Ensign

0-14

8*

15-29

6*

30 or more

4*

 

 

 

 

 

 

*Must include at least two Cornerstone Courses