Do I Need to be Religious to Study Religion at Texas A&M?

“I loved my RELS minor because it gave me an outlet to use the part of my brain my science-heavy major didn’t give space for. The tools I learned from those classes I take with me to the clinic as I interact with patients from all different backgrounds and belief systems.”

– Meagan McGaugh, University Studies Biomedical Sciences major, Neuroscience and Religious Studies minors, Texas A&M Class of 2020; Doctorate of Physical Therapy Student, University of Texas Medical Branch, Class of ‘23

Religious Studies includes and welcomes both religious and non-religious students and scholars.

Religious Studies as an academic field is filled with people, some religious and some not, who share a fascination with the many ways humans engage with religious ideas and practices.

Studying religion at a public university is different from receiving training at a seminary or in a religious vocational setting. In a public university setting, you are learning about religions, rather than learning to teach or practice a particular faith tradition. Some religious studies majors and minors do pursue religious vocations. Others take their training and apply it in a range of other settings, from healthcare to law.