About the field of Religious Studies: Advanced degrees in religion offer students an opportunity to gain in-depth knowledge of an area of religious studies that interests them. A variety of options are available given that some programs study many religions, while other programs focus very specifically on a particular religion or set of beliefs. Advanced degrees in religion can be offered by seminaries in preparation for pastoral or teaching roles, but other institutions also offer advanced degrees in religion for those that wish to pursue other careers and feel that a comprehensive knowledge of religious studies would be helpful. Religious studies can be approached from a viewpoint of looking at the historical or the modern. Related fields may include church administration , ethics , family counseling , history , ministry , missiology , peace studies , religious education , and theology .