Ask Life’s Most Vital Questions
Explore religion, theology and beliefs that shape our world. Through discussion, faculty mentorship and experiential learning, you’ll examine diverse traditions, explore questions of meaning and justice, and build skills for careers in education, law, ministry and beyond.
Why earn your Religious Studies and Theology degree at St. Edward's?
Religious Studies and Theology invites you to explore life's enduring questions in a welcoming, discussion-based community shaped by St. Edward's Holy Cross tradition. You'll examine faith, religion and principles through multiple perspectives while developing a deeper understanding of the beliefs, cultures and values that shape our world.
Engage with Leading Voices
Join nationally recognized scholars, faith leaders and experts through the university's annual lecture series. These engaging conversations explore interreligious dialogue, Catholic thought and contemporary issues, encouraging you to consider diverse perspectives and deepen your understanding of religion in today's world.
Learn Through Service
Put your learning into practice through meaningful service experiences in Austin and beyond. Whether volunteering through your courses or in co-curricular activities like Service Break Experiences, you'll build lasting relationships while gaining a deeper understanding of your community and the issues that matter most.
Grow as a Leader
Through participation in Theta Alpha Kappa (the national honor society for religious studies and theology), mentored research, and internships, you will build meaningful connections, network professionally and develop your leadership skills. You will also strengthen your faith and grow personally through retreats, peer ministry, and interfaith programs.
Put Faith into Action
Explore how faith and values can inspire meaningful change in the world around you. Through internships, volunteer opportunities and partnerships with organizations focused on social justice, you'll examine real-world issues while learning how compassion, advocacy and service can make a lasting impact. For example, be a Holy Cross Ambassador through the Holy Cross Institute and share the charism that inspired Bl. Basile Moreau.
Life as a Religious Studies and Theology major at St. Edward's University
Challenging questions are best explored together. As a Religious Studies and Theology major, you'll join a welcoming community where thoughtful discussion, reflection and diverse perspectives are part of everyday learning. Whether you're serving the community, attending guest lectures, sharing your original research with others, or engaging in conversations that continue long after class ends, you'll build meaningful relationships with classmates and faculty while gaining new perspectives on faith, values, and culture. Along the way, you'll gain a deeper understanding of yourself, others and the world around you.
A Highly Successful Religious Studies and Theology Program
A Religious Studies and Theology degree from St. Edward's prepares you to think critically, engage thoughtfully with diverse perspectives and lead with compassion in an increasingly interconnected world. Through community engagement, faculty mentorship, experiential learning and opportunities to explore faith, values and culture, you'll graduate ready to make a meaningful impact in your career, your community and beyond.
Frequently Asked Questions about a Religious Studies and Theology Degree from St. Edward's University
Upon completing the Religious Studies and Theology program, you’ll be ready to:
- Conduct thorough research
- Critically think and interpret complex texts
- Construct a reasoned argument
- Understand different perspectives
Find what you need to apply and important deadlines. When you are ready, there are three ways for you to apply to St. Edward’s:
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Degree Plan
Major Requirements:
The Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies and Theology requires 30 hours of major courses. The curriculum introduces students to key facets of the study of religion and theology and our signature courses emphasize clarifying one’s values, experiential learning, and career readiness.
A few examples of courses students in this major take:
- Global Religions – Understand how religion impacts beliefs and cultural practices by studying the religions of those right here in Austin and around the globe.
- History of Christian Theology – From the end of the first century to the fifth century, study the development of Christian Theology and dive into the controversies over the nature of God, the divinity of Christ and the structure of the Church and its teachings.
Yes. Students can concentrate in either Religious Studies or Catholic Studies as part of the major.
St. Edward’s Religious Studies and Theology majors go on to a variety of careers. Here’s a sample:
- Judicial Law Clerk for Supreme Court of Texas
- Literacy Tutor for AmeriCorps
- Director of Campus Ministry at St. Mary’s College
- Ambassador for Poverty Relief with Noonday Collection
- Director of Social Justice Ministries at St. Austin Catholic Parish
- Filmmaker for The Congregation of Holy Cross
- Director of the Beecken Center for the School of Theology at Sewanee, The University of the South
- Peace Corps Volunteers, Dominican Volunteers, Jesuit Volunteer Corps
Yes, you can minor in Religious and Theological Studies, Catholic Studies, or Jewish Studies.
Majors and minors take RELS 4350, our Signature Internship Course. Students work with their professor to determine the internship activity most fitting for them. Internships have included, for example, teaching assistantships, serving as peer ministers with Campus Ministry, working for a nonprofit organization, and undertaking a specialized practicum.
Yes. RELS majors are well prepared to go on to graduate studies in Religious Studies, Theology, Catholic Studies and Jewish Studies. Our alumni attend, for example, Harvard Divinity School, The University of Notre Dame, Yale Divinity School, The University of Chicago, Boston College, and Duke Divinity School–many receiving full tuition scholarships. RELS alumni also attend law school, medical school, and other graduate degree programs (like Museum Studies, Social Work, and Business School).
At St. Edward’s, our faculty are outstanding scholars, thought leaders, teachers and mentors who bring energy and enthusiasm to our vibrant learning community. They take pride in getting to know you, helping you achieve your goals and celebrating your successes.
View a list of our faculty members and their contact information on the Department of Philosophy, Religious Studies, and Theology webpage.
Preparing for Your Future in Religious Studies and Theology
A future in Religious Studies and Theology is built on a deeper understanding of people, cultures and the beliefs that shape our world. Whether you're pursuing a career in education, nonprofit leadership, ministry, law, counseling, public service or another field, a Religious Studies and Theology degree from St. Edward's University prepares you with the critical thinking, communication and ethical reasoning skills employers value. You'll graduate ready to launch your career or continue your education in graduate and professional school or seminary with confidence.
Making an Impact
Calista Robledo ’22 combined her interests in theology, writing and ministry at St. Edward’s, where she served in Campus Ministry and earned national recognition from the Theta Alpha Kappa honor society. She went on to pursue a Master of Divinity at Boston College, bringing together her passions for theology, creativity and service.