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Religious Education

Credit Requirements

General Requirements

To graduate from BYU, all undergraduate students must complete 14 total religion credits. These credits include:

1. 4 cornerstone courses or approved equivalents (8 credits).

2. 3 additional religion electives (6 credits).

These religion credit requirements may be completed at any CES institution of Higher Education (BYU, BYU-Idaho, BYU-Hawaii, or Ensign College) as well as BYU-Pathway and transferred to BYU as course equivalent credit.

Required Course Credit Hours Approved Substitution
REL C 200 - The Eternal Family 2.0 NONE
REL C 225 - Foundations of the Restoration 2.0 NONE
REL A 250 - Jesus Christ and His Everlasting Gospel 2.0 Rel A 211: New Testament (Gospels); or Rel A 310R: New Testament Studies (Jerusalem Center)
REL A 275 - Teachings and Doctrine of the Book of Mormon 2.0 Rel A 121: Book of Mormon I and Rel A 122: Book of Mormon II (This satisfies 4.0 hours of Religion Credit)
ELECTIVES 6.0

Fulfilling Religion Requirements

Students are expected to take religion classes at the school where they are enrolled. However, prior to enrolling at BYU, students may enroll in one Institute class per semester/term for “CES transfer credit” (requirements for these credits are listed at the bottom of this document). Additionally, during semesters/terms when not taking classes at BYU, students may enroll in an institute class for “CES transfer credit.” Up to 4 total Institute credits may transfer toward the religion requirement. Institute credits completed while you are enrolled in classes at BYU will NOT count toward religion requirements (Exception: the London Centre, Washington Seminar, and similar programs approved by the dean of Religious Education). Any Institute credits beyond the 4-credit limit will not transfer and must be retaken at BYU if needed.

If students transfer academic credits (excluding AP, IB, and other exam credits) from non-CES institutions of higher education, their total religion credit requirement may be reduced based on the table below. However, they must still complete all 4 cornerstone courses.

Transfer Credits from non-CES Institutions Religion Requirement
1-29 14 credits
30-59 12 credits
60+ 8 credits

Pacing of Religion Credits

A vital part of education in CES is the integration of spiritual and academic learning. As such, religion courses are meant to be taken throughout a college experience—not all at once. Therefore, students may count no more than 6 religion credits per academic year (Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer combined) toward the 14-credit requirement. Students attending the BYU Jerusalem Center may count up to 8 credits in that academic year.

CES transfer credit requirements:

• Taught by a qualified Institute teacher

• The Institute course must also be offered at BYU (custom Institute classes do not qualify)

• Inform the Institute instructor at the beginning of the term that you want CES transfer credit

• Complete all attendance and additional assignment requirements

Last updated: February 27, 2026

General Requirements

  • Most undergraduate students need 14 total religion credits, which include:

    · 4 Cornerstone courses (8 credits)

    · At least 6 elective credits

    Transfer students from non-CES schools may qualify for a reduced total (see below)
  • Yes. All students, including transfer students, must complete the 4 Cornerstone courses
  • No. You may count no more than 6 religion credits per academic year (Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer combined).

    Exception: Students attending the BYU Jerusalem Center may count up to 8 religion credits in that academic year.

Transfer Student Scenarios

  • You will need:

    · All 4 Cornerstone courses

    · 6 elective credits Total: 14 religion credits
  • You will need:

    · All 4 Cornerstone courses

    · 4 elective credits Total: 12 religion credits
  • You will need:

    · All 4 Cornerstone courses

    · 4 elective credits Total: 12 religion credits
  • You will need:

    · All 4 Cornerstone courses

    Total: 8 religion credits. No additional electives required
  • No. The reduction is based only on transferable college credits, not exam credits.
  • No. Religion credits from CES schools transfer directly as equivalents, but they do not reduce the total requirement. You still need 14 total credits unless you qualify for a credit reduction under the non-CES transfer policy.

Institute Credit Questions

  • Yes — but only under certain conditions. If you are not enrolled at BYU, you may:

    · Take one Institute class per semester/term

    · Transfer up to 4 total Institute credits toward your religion requirement

  • No. Institute credits taken during semesters/terms while also enrolled at BYU do not count toward graduation requirements.

    Exception: Approved programs such as London Centre or Washington Seminar.
  • Only 4 total Institute credits may transfer. Any additional credits will not count and would need to be retaken at BYU if needed for graduation.
  • All of the following must apply:

    · Taught by a qualified Institute instructor

    · The course must also be offered at BYU

    · You must inform the instructor at the beginning of the term that you want CES transfer credit

    · You must complete all required assignments and attendance

    Custom Institute workshops or special-topic courses do not transfer.

Pacing & Planning Questions

  • Only 6 credits will count toward your 14-credit requirement (8 if attending the Jerusalem Center). Additional credits will not apply to the requirement.
  • The 6-credit-per-academic-year limit still applies, regardless of graduation timeline so map out your class schedules accordingly.
  • You would not be able to fulfill your religion requirement in two years or less because of the pacing policy of 6 credits/year.

Common Special Situations

  • Yes, if they transfer as approved equivalents and meet current policy standards.
  • Religion courses from non-CES institutions do not fulfill BYU religion requirements. You must complete BYU Cornerstones and required credits under the transfer policy.
  • Your religion requirement does not change. It is a university graduation requirement, not a major requirement.
  • No. Mission service does not replace required religion coursework.
  • You should check MyMAP / your degree progress report for specific details. If you have questions about the requirements you see in MyMAP, please speak with your academic advisor or Religious Education.
  • Yes. The pacing requirement of 6 or fewer credits per academic year still applies, however. Even though a student has up to 12 months to complete Independent Study coursework and assessments, the credits will count in the academic year in which the course is completed.

Quick Reference Summary

Situation Total Religion Credits Required
Non-transfer student 14 credits
Transfer (1-29) 14 credits
Transfer (30-59) 12 credits
Transfer (60+) 8 credits
Max Institute transfer 4 credits
Max per academic year 6 credits (8 for Jerusalem Center students)