Overview
A Catholic, Residential, Liberal Arts College, St. Mary's College Prepares Women to Make a Difference in the World
Saint Mary's College is a Catholic, residential, women's college firmly rooted in the liberal arts tradition. The college, a pioneer in the education of women, is a supportive academic community where women can develop their unique talents and prepare for leadership roles around the world.
St. Mary's was founded by the Sisters of the Holy Cross in 1844, and has continued to promote lives of intellectual vigor and attainment, while simultaneously imparting a sense of aesthetic appreciation to maturing minds and hearts. With the college's religious sensibility comes the traditional Catholic commitment to social responsibility and community service.
On a mostly residential campus where 80 percent of students live, all members of the St. Mary's community, from teachers and students to staff and administrators, are called upon to remain faithful to the institution's mission in their roles as "college citizens."
With mindfulness and compassion, St. Mary's students are challenged to find their roles, first at school and then beyond. When they graduate, they will be prepared to meet the complex needs and confront the continuing challenges of a rapidly shrinking, economically interdependent world.
The Heart, Soul, Mind, and Spirit Are All Engaged in the Balanced Education and Edification at St. Mary's
St. Mary's faculty challenges and encourages students to develop into confident, well-balanced leaders who are not merely educated, but enlightened, for success in their careers and fulfillment in their lives. St. Mary's College dedicated faculty members believe in teaching first, bringing a challenging curriculum to six nationally accredited programs and over 30 majors. The nursing, social work, communicative disorders, and business majors are particularly popular and have brought the school a great deal of recognition for their world-class quality. The college is ranked #1 in the U.S. News & World Report annual survey of Midwest Comprehensive Colleges (Bachelor's category).
St. Mary's academic excellence is due in large part to the close relationships fostered between faculty and students in small classes with an average of 16 students. A student-faculty ratio of 10:1 means personalized attention, which brings a rich array of real-world experiences via internships, study abroad programs, and hands-on learning. A balance of study, research, service, and camaraderie provides a strong spiritual foundation and a focus on social responsibility.
In the college's dual degree program in engineering, students complete a Bachelor of Arts or Science degree at St. Mary's, while earning a degree in chemical engineering, computer science, environmental geosciences, or electrical or mechanical engineering from the University of Notre Dame. This Notre Dame connection goes beyond academic partnerships to encompass all manner of cooperative ventures, from scientific to recreational.
Pre-professional studies assist students preparing for medical or dental school, law school, and various allied health programs, while the ROTC offers women a route to a fulfilling career in the armed services. Primary or secondary education certification is also available in more than a dozen subject areas.
Another special offering is the accelerated option program in nursing, especially designed for baccalaureate degree holders in other majors who graduated from an accredited college or university. Completion of the program confers a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in nursing.
Enriching Study Abroad and Summer Programs Expand Students' Horizons to Include the Entire Globe
Students who immerse themselves in new cultures actually push themselves to move beyond their usual "comfort zones." With a broadened global perspective, students will enrich their future careers while expanding their horizons. St. Mary's has been offering well structured, fulfilling study abroad programs for over 30 years.
There are semester- and year-long study opportunities in many different countries. The exciting programs vary in duration and choice of country, with year- and semester-long options currently available in Austria, Australia, France, Ireland, Italy, Spain, and South Africa. In addition, there are semester-break programs in Haiti, Jamaica, Mexico, Poland, and the Czech Republic. Finally, enriching summer programs include business internships in the European Union, European summer study, and additional offerings in Ecuador, Greece, Honduras, and South Korea.
Athletic Programs Round Out the Balanced Curriculum at St. Mary's, Focusing on Both Teams and Personal Fitness
Saint Mary's students are achievers, both in class and on the field. The college's athletic program offers a good balance to a student's comprehensive educational experience. Many students and teams earn Dean's List and NCAA Division III Coaches' Academic Honors year after year, demonstrating that the mentoring by coaches and staff has contributed to their success as individuals and team members.
Beyond the varsity athletic programs, students participate in a wide range of club sports and intramural activities, and the availability of first-rate fitness equipment encourages all students to make physical fitness a college goal. With attention to the heart, mind, soul, and spirit, students at St. Mary's graduate with a fitness that extends from body to brain, and will energize them to put their education to work in a constructive way that can benefit themselves, their families, their communities, and the greater world.
