The Catholic University of America is a national research university based in the center of Washington, D.C. With over 400 international students on campus and over 80 countries represented by the student population, the university has a vibrant and diverse community of international scholars. Founded to be the national university for the Catholic Church in America, with a charter from Pope Leo XIII, the university鈥檚 faculty embraces Catholic intellectual tradition through an applied practice of faith and reason. The university cultivates an approach to excellence in education which seeks to enrich both the lives of its students and the wider world around them.
With more than 280 specialist undergraduate and postgraduate programs on offer, this prestigious major research university offers a breadth of learning opportunities across 12 schools and over 100 disciplines. Catholic University is one of America鈥檚 most senior research universities and offers prospective students an innovative and expansive selection of courses across the arts, science, architecture, business, engineering, education, health care, and social work.
Located in the heart of the United States鈥 capital city, Washington D.C., Catholic University offers not only an extraordinary educational opportunity but the chance for international students to experience the sights and sounds of a city of global significance.
Construction of a new state-of-the-art facility, that will be the home of the Conway School of Nursing and double the size of the university's current nursing facility, will feature multi-functional clinical learning and instructional support areas, including simulation labs for acute care and clinical examination training.
The building will feature anatomy, physiology, and microbiology labs, specialized classrooms, a large auditorium, study areas, administrative offices, and common areas.
The building鈥檚 exterior architecture will match the collegiate, gothic style of the other structures on the university鈥檚 campus. The project is due to be complete by the start of 2024.
Dr. Peter K. Kilpatrick was appointed president of The Catholic University of America in March 2022 and took office on July 1, 2022.
Dr. Kilpatrick鈥榮 vision is to grow the number of students to 10,000鈥攗ndergraduate and graduate鈥攚ithin the next ten years by building on efforts to make a Catholic University education more accessible, noting that there are more scholarship students than at any point in the institution鈥檚 history and the campus is 鈥渕ore diverse than ever.鈥
鈥淥ur nation and the world needs the students that we deliver: bright, enthusiastic, committed and who know themselves and how to love others,鈥 said Dr. Kilpatrick.
This nearly 35,000 square foot building provides expanded dining space, brand new cooking equipment, and food made to order. The Garvey Dining Hall offers a wide variety of dining selections, from salad bar, rotisserie chicken, pizza, classic and veggie burgers to Indian cuisines and special recipes. Pure Eat, a special food counter caters for guests with food allergies and sensitivities. And the facility accommodates a customizable menu utilizing new equipment - such as the hard stone pizza oven and Mongolian grill.
US$56,996 Undergraduate Fees are for indicative purposes, for details
US$44,139 Postgraduate Fees are for indicative purposes, for details
US$20,500 Living costs
US$11,410 To live on campus
International students studying at the Catholic University of America are eligible for Catholic University merit scholarships.
Further information on scholarship opportunities can be found via the university
International students may also be able to explore and apply for a range of scholarships, grants or other funding from external organisations, ranging from private companies and charities to the government of their home country.
While international students are not eligible for federal financial aid, it鈥檚 possible for international students to apply for educational loans from private lenders. Students should note that many commercial education loans for international education require a U.S. citizen or permanent resident to co-sign.
For international students鈥 admission, the university values no factor more than a student's ability to read, write, speak, and understand the English language. As such, the university requires all prospective students whose first language is not English to undertake either: the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) exam, a Duolingo English test, or a Pearson PTE test.
Acceptable test scores for entry routes to the university are as follows:
Undergraduate Score: 80 Internet (with at least 20 out of 30 in each category).
Graduate Score: 80 Internet (with at least 20 out of 30 in each category).
Undergraduate Score: 6.5 (individual test module scores are also reviewed in addition to the culminative score to ensure student proficiency)
Graduate Score: Varies program to program, but in general a score of 6.5 is sufficient.
Score of 105 or above
Score of 58 or above
In addition to English proficiency tests, the university requires official records of previous educational study. Transcripts of previous academic awards should contain information regarding to courses taken, grades obtained, and proof of graduation. All transcripts should be translated to English and have an official stamp or seal from the issuing institution.
In addition to the requisite academic documents, once admitted, students should provide copies of their current passports, I-20 or DS-2019, as well as evidence of the financial means to cover the costs of studying at Catholic University.
Students who pursue a degree at the university will also need to apply for Student Visa F-1 following their acceptance. All information on the application for attaining visa documentation and the requisite funding evidence can be found via the .
The Catholic University of America models itself as a not just a college, but as a graduate institution. The university prides itself on not only delivering a standardized college experience, but a complete scholarly experience. Students are offered the unique opportunity to conduct scholarly and scientific research within their chosen fields of study while working closely with an expert faculty.
The Catholic University of America has an impressive teaching faculty, with 377 full-time staff and 416 part-time staff on hand to personally guide students throughout their academic and spiritual education. 83.8 percent of the full-time staff are in possession of doctoral or terminal degrees. The Princeton Review (TPR) reports a small average class size of 10-19 students, while awarding professors with an impressive 94/99 in their 鈥榓ccessibility rating鈥.
The university has been recognized as a prestigious , a group of under 400 US institutions noted for their academic strengths. These include the quality of teaching, student engagement, sense of community and successful postgraduate outcomes.
The Catholic University of America offers both graduate and professional degrees across its 12 schools.
The Catholic University of America鈥檚 schools include:
Catholic University is home to 50 major educational buildings and boasts an extensive specialist library, with over 1.4 million volumes. In addition to state-of-the-art educational facilities, the university provides students with access to an extensive range of social, spiritual, and fitness facilities.
A prestigious athletic tradition at Catholic University enriches the student experience and the university offers many opportunities to compete in as one of United States鈥 premier Division III athletic institutions. There are a number of programs within the university for sport and activity, including weekly fitness classes, personal trainers and a variety of club sports, intramural sports and esports. Club sports include cheer, dance, ice-hockey, lacrosse, rugby, sailing and ultimate frisbee.
On campus, the dining services oversee a variety of restaurants, cafes, and coffee shops to suit a variety of culinary and nutritional needs. The campus also has its own specialist bookstore, which hosts a variety of programs throughout the year, functioning as a meeting place for students and staff alike. A dedicated post office on campus also enables students to keep up with international correspondences and receive deliveries.
The Campus Ministry provides spiritual guidance for students, opportunities for worship, and a number of events and retreats. The Cardinal Adventures program provides a series of active indoor and outdoor excursions, offering opportunities to explore the expansive American landscape. Monthly adventures include activities such as horseback riding, skiing, rock climbing and paddle boarding.
The Center for Cultural Engagement works with campus departments and student organizations to sponsor cultural events throughout the year, which assist international students as they integrate themselves into the local community. Events include a Thanksgiving potluck and international week, as well as various speakers throughout the year.
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