Religious Studies
Career + Professional
Religious Studies Associations
The Academy of Parish Clergy is an interfaith, voluntary, and self-governing association of ordained persons occupying clerical roles, ordinarily in a congregational, judicatory or chaplaincy setting, who seek GROWTH TOWARDS EXCELLENCE IN MINISTRY THROUGH SHARING THE PRACTICE.
At its core, the AAR is a learned society and professional association dedicated to promoting the academic study of religion in all its dimensions. Acting on the conviction that a better understanding of religion is essential to just about all aspects of community life, the AAR plays an important role in establishing the intellectual space where scholars and their students can conduct such study. Moreover, the AAR is engaged in finding new ways to help ensure that the results of such research are communicated publicly.
Association of Professional Chaplains
A national association devoted to interfaith pastoral care. They offer meetings, an annual conference, publications, and spiritual support for chaplains in a variety of religious and secular situations.
North American Association for the Study of Religion
The North American Association for the Study of Religion (NAASR) was initially formed in 1985 by E. Thomas Lawson, Luther H. Martin, and Donald Wiebe, to encourage the historical, comparative, structural, theoretical and cognitive approaches to the study of religion among North American scholars; to represent North American scholars of religion at the international level; and to sustain communication between North American scholars and their international colleagues engaged in the study of religion.
The Society for Biblical Literature
Found in 1880, the SBL is one of the oldest learned societies in the U.S. Its purpose is to stimulate the critical investigation of biblical literature through published form and public forum. The organization supports the study of ancient languages, textual criticism, history, and archaeology through conferences, publications, and grant work.
U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom
USCIRF is an independent, bipartisan U.S. federal government commission. USCIRF Commissioners are appointed by the President and the leadership of both political parties in the Senate and the House of Representatives. USCIRF's principal responsibilities are to review the facts and circumstances of violations of religious freedom internationally and to make policy recommendations to the President, the Secretary of State and Congress.
Cindy Gillham
Associate Library ProfessorReference Services
McNichols Campus Library
gillhaca@udmercy.edu
313-993-1810