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Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³» is unique among universities in the United States — even among Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³» universities. And it’s not just because we're located in Washington, D.C. — a city of global significance and a place of extraordinary educational opportunity.
Our university was founded by the Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³» bishops of the United States, with a charter from then Pope Leo XIII, to be the national university of the Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³» Church in America. For more than 130 years, we have lived out our mission to discover and impart the truth through excellence in teaching and research. Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³» University scientists, engineers, nurses, philosophers, theologians, historians, architects, social workers, musicians, artists, and scholars in all fields embrace both reason and faith as they apply the inexhaustible resources of the Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³» intellectual tradition to help solve the problems of contemporary life and enrich the culture around us.
Read more about how Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³» University's Strategic Plan outlines specific goals and objectives we have committed to in order to build upon our tradition of excellence and chart our course for the future.
Innovative programs and a beautiful, green campus are just the beginning of Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³» University's national leadership, as reflected in an array of rankings, recognitions, and other honors.
“The teaching of the University should be faithfully Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³», conformed in all things to the creed of the Church and the decisions of the Holy See.” This was the first principle set down by the founders of Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³» as the foundation of all our work and guide for all future action.
Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³» is unique as the national university of the Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³» Church and as the only higher education institution founded by the U.S. bishops. Established in 1887 as a papally chartered graduate and research center, the University began offering undergraduate education in 1904.
Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³» is committed to a diverse community based upon the teachings of the Church and our common belief that we are one human family, united in our humanity and enriched by our diversity.
Innovative programs and a beautiful, green campus are just the beginning of Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³» University's national leadership, as reflected in an array of rankings, recognitions, and other honors.
As the only national university of the Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³» Church in America we seek to combine a strong Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³» Identity with a rich intellectual experience steeped in the Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³» intellectual tradition.
Our University constantly takes on new initiatives to improve students' and staff's campus experience and expand our academic and extracurricular offerings.