Students have options with less popular majors
So what exactly does a graduate of Central Michigan University do with a degree in religion?
It is programs like philosophy and religion, creative writing and anthropology that are paths less traveled compared on a campus dominated by students who study subjects like business and health fitness.
But even the general knowledge gained from these programs still makes students marketable post graduation, said Guy Newland.
"Half of the employers who come to CMU want students with specific majors," the chairman of philosophy and religion said. "The other half want people with good, broad skills - for those people, religion is just as good as anything else."
Newland said the religion major provides marketable skills in thinking, reading and writing, and that studying it provides students with a better global perspective.
He added that there are several sensitivities about teaching religion in public schools, but that no one is taking it for granted at the university level.
"Religion is something that is extremely important all over the world," he said. "It is a cultural phenomenon."
The career outlooks for those who study anthropology is similar.
"A lot of our majors have the idea that (anthropology) will put them in a more competitive position for jobs that have similar skills," said Charles Hastings, a temporary faculty member in anthropology. "We do have some that get a strong foundation of anthropology from CMU and use it in preparation for grad school or other jobs."
Job possibilities specifically related to the field include museum careers, archaeology and forensic specialists, he said.
Other majors are very common, but also very competitive.
Tens of thousands of students graduate annually across the country with BFAs and MFAs in art, but many also will find difficulty in getting a job that relates specifically to their field.
"It's highly competitive, so you'd better be ready for it," said David Stairs, professor and art department chairman.
Students who do land a job in art may go into design, advertising, digital art, museums or teaching.
The department has graduated several successful artists, Stairs said.
Heather Domine is a CMU alumnus and currently a director of the Cleveland Museum of Art, and alumnus Mike Kaczmerick is an award-winning animator.
Despite its competiveness, Stairs sees art as a worthwhile degree to pursue.
"Every aspect of our lives is touched by it in some manner," he said.
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