The University of Virginia’s Mormon Studies program began in 2013 with the establishment of the Richard Lyman Bushman Endowed Professorship in Mormon Studies. The Professorship is charged with promoting scholarly research and facilitating public understanding of those churches which trace their origins to Joseph Smith. Each year approximately 100 students from across the university enroll in courses and lectures about the origins and development of Mormonism, its beliefs and practices, as well as its history and cultural significance.
The study of Mormonism is principally located within the University’s Department of Religion. Founded in 1967, the Department is the largest stand-alone religion department in the United States and plays a leading role in the national and international study of religion. Rooted in the humanities and liberal arts, its faculty offer a comprehensive curriculum that spans traditions, geographies, and methodologies, including historical, philosophical, philological, ethnographic, and literary approaches.
The University of Virginia is a mid-sized public university in central Virginia, known for its founding by Thomas Jefferson and its strong emphasis on the liberal arts and sciences. Since U.S. News began its rankings, UVA has never placed less than second in the listing of public universities. In the 20-year history of the combined ranking of private and public schools, it consistently ranks in the top 10 percent of all 262 national universities.