Ave Maria University 2024 Viewbook by Ave Maria University

VIEWBOOK

— ST. AUGUSTINE

Joy in the Truth? WHAT IS

According to Pope St. John Paul II, “God made us for joy.” At Ave Maria University, you’ll see the enthusiasm that overflows as students discover the intersection between truth and beauty. You’ll hear the laughter echoing around campus as they embrace the abundance of God’s plan. We know joy is found in Christ, and we strive to encounter Him in our classes, residence halls, athletics, and most notably, in the sacraments.

We’re educating the next generation of saints: people prepared to use their exceptional formation and God-given passion to transform the world around them.

Ready to join us?

Authentic Catholic Education

ACADEMICS

At Ave Maria University, our academic programs are designed to foster a love of learning and a deep appreciation for the pursuit of truth. Our approach to academics is guided by Pope St. John Paul II’s Ex Corde Ecclesiae — an apostolic constitution on Catholic higher education and its importance to our society. We encourage our students to seek joy in this pursuit of Truth.

Whether you’re studying biology, psychology, or finance, the truths of the faith are interwoven throughout. This enables students to understand their chosen discipline and the world around them through the Catholic faith. You will graduate fully prepared to be a witness to Christ in your field and beyond.

Uniting Faith and Reason

CORE CURRICULUM

Part of a Catholic University’s task is to promote dialogue between faith and reason, so that it can be seen more profoundly how faith and reason bear harmonious witness to the unity of all truth.

— Pope St. John Paul II, Ex Corde Ecclesiae no. 17

Our core curriculum is a foundation designed to help you gain a broad base of knowledge across a variety of subjects, while enhancing your chosen major. While each discipline is distinct, AMU students learn the truth about God and His creation more completely through the interplay of all the liberal arts.

Classes required in our core curriculum:

Sacred Scripture

Sacred Doctrine

Moral Theology

Metaphysics

Nature and Person

Ethics

American Civilization

Western Civilization and Culture

2 semesters

Natural Science with Lab

Foreign Language

Mathematics

Rhetoric and Poetics

2 semesters

In your core classes, you’ll discover truth, beauty, and goodness through the integrated lens of our Catholic liberal arts tradition.

Whether it was defending an argument in my ethics class or researching marketing and management tactics, every class challenged my creativity and knowledge. AMU’s academics focus on forming the whole person. I would not be where I am today if it weren’t for Ave Maria.

—Michael ('22), Marketing

Deepen Your Knowledge of the Truth

EXPLORE OUR MAJORS AND MINORS

HONORS Program

The Honors Program at Ave Maria offers students the very best of collegiate life. In their pursuit of academic excellence, our honors students learn to engage subjects critically through the lens of faith, working closely with professors and mentors.

Nurses have a unique entry into vulnerable and insecure moments in people’s lives — moments many people don’t get to see. We are Catholic nurses; we are Ave Maria nurses. It is our duty to transmit Christ’s love to our patients.

— Laura ('22), Nursing

As a benefit of the program, honors students get early registration for classes and housing and can access an exclusive lounge for studying and hanging out. These students receive honors in the core curriculum and graduate with a richer understanding of the Catholic liberal arts tradition.

MASTER’S Programs

Our three master’s programs at AMU (theology, business administration, and Catholic educational leadership) prepare students for success while challenging them to open their minds and hearts to Jesus Christ. As a graduate student at AMU, you’ll benefit from small class sizes, competitive meritbased scholarships, and a vibrant Catholic culture.

Whether you’re seeking to dive deeper into Divine Wisdom through our M.A., gain practical business knowledge through our online MBA, or lead the next generation of young Catholic leaders through the M.Ed., Ave Maria has a graduate program to form your whole person through the faith.

DOCTORATE Program in Theology

Develop a unified vision of theological wisdom according to the magisterial teachings of the Church through our Ph.D. program in theology. Through the study of biblical, moral, and systematic theology, our doctoral students become conversant in Catholic tradition and lay the groundwork for teaching roles in Catholic or non-Catholic institutions of higher education.

Did You Know?

AMU is one of only two Newman Guide universities with a Ph.D. program in theology.

Dedicated to Your Growth

MEET OUR FACULTY

of our professors have terminal degrees — the highest academic degree that can be awarded in their field.

At AMU, your professors will know you by name.

Our small class sizes and intentional hands-on learning encourage meaningful connections with worldclass experts in your desired field.

Our professors have a passion for the education and Christ-centered formation of their students. They don’t just care about your intellect — they care for your soul and who God is calling you to be.

The faculty reveal the heart of any university. At Ave Maria, the recruitment of professors who excel in their disciplines while enthusiastically embracing their Catholic faith is among the most important ways our mission is safeguarded. With a missiondriven faculty committed to excellence and truth, students are never forced to choose between a life of devout faith and professional excellence.

What makes the students and alumni of AMU truly unique — and highly coveted by employers and graduate schools — is that the faculty and curriculum are both ordered to forming them in faith while also preparing them to be Catholic leaders in their chosen profession. It is this commitment to both Christian and professional excellence that breeds the joy so evident on campus.

Faculty Spotlights

Dr. DiAnn Ecret

avemaria.edu/faculty

Dr. Mark Miravalle

Dr. James Patterson

Dr. Saverio Perugini

Dr. Agnes Berki

— Dr. Roger Nutt Provost

Strengthen Your Faith

VIBRANT CATHOLIC CULTURE

Faith is the center of life at Ave Maria — you’ll see it all over campus! Whether it is students gathering for daily Mass, making the sign of the cross as they walk past our chapels, or participating in a nightly Rosary, faith is an integral part of everyday life at AMU.

Our students can adore the Blessed Sacrament in our perpetual adoration chapel or take part in Mary’s Marines, a program designed to encourage faculty, staff, and students to spend one hour of each day in adoration.

Students have 14 options for Sunday Mass and nine options for daily Mass, including the Extraordinary Form. Our campus ministry hosts several Marian Rosary processions throughout the year and invites students to entrust themselves to our Blessed Mother’s care through a yearly Marian consecration.

With nine daily Masses, daily confession, and a community that’s passionately Catholic, students don’t just keep their faith; they thrive in it.

only three Newman Guide schools to have perpetual adoration on campus.

Prayer and Service

CAMPUS MINISTRY

Our campus ministry supports our students in their journey to become the next generation of joyful saints.

Campus ministry offers a comprehensive schedule of Masses, confessions, spiritual direction, Eucharistic Adoration, and other sacramental means for our students to grow closer to Christ daily.

Campus ministry also offers opportunities to grow spiritually in community:

Regularly Scheduled

Theology on Tap Talks

Weekend Spiritual Retreats

Eucharistic Praise and Worship

Bible Studies, Men’s Groups, and Women’s Groups

Nightly Rosary Walks

Daily Noon Angelus in the Heart of Campus

Our campus priests are always available for ongoing mentorship and growth. Whether it’s spiritual direction or a blessing on your birthday, AMU’s campus ministry team is here to help you prioritize a relationship with Christ that fuels your friendships, academics, and sanctity.

Encounter the life and legacy of St. Mother Teresa and inspire others to follow in her footsteps.

The Mother Teresa Project (MTP) is the only college program of its kind in the world. Through four key pillars — local community service, mission trips, the Mother Teresa Museum, and the Mother Teresa Scholar program — students encounter the spirituality of St. Mother Teresa and the Missionaries of Charity in a more meaningful way.

Mother Teresa Project

MTP provides a curriculum for students so they can put the words of Mother Teresa into practice: Spread love wherever you go. Let no one come to you without leaving better and happier.

Answer Mother’s call and “find your own Calcutta” through the MTP at AMU.

The Mother Teresa Museum is the only one of its kind outside of Calcutta, India.

Lifelong Friendships Rooted in the Faith

YOUR AMU FAMILY

At Ave Maria, it doesn’t take long for strangers to become friends and friends to become family.

At Ave Maria, everyone knows everybody, and we’re proud to be a place where new students are welcomed and included, rather than lost in the crowd. We see something special happens when people are drawn together by a love for the faith and pursuit of truth.

Whether it’s a roommate becoming a lifelong friend, a professor becoming a mentor, or a study partner becoming the love of your life, there’s something special about the connections you make at AMU. Rooted in a common pursuit of holiness, the bonds created on campus form a familial community — a place where you can be the person God is calling you to be now

We thank God every day for the gifts He gave our family at AMU. It was at Ave Maria that we received tremendous grace in the sacraments and adoration as we entered our vocation.

— Isabel and Kevin ('13)

Did You Know?

students find their spouse at AMU.

Swimming

Golisano

Pickleball

THOMAS

PRINCE BUILDING

BOB THOMAS STUDENT UNION

Find Your Community

FAITH HOUSEHOLDS

Household life at AMU is a vital part of campus culture. Other universities have sororities and fraternities; we have faithcentered households! These groups are a great way to get involved on campus while forming lifelong friendships. Households are single-gender groups of five or more students who come together for intentional Catholic community. These groups commit to weekly community prayer, Mass, and fidelity to specific virtues through the intercession of their household patrons.

A new household has been created almost every year since AMU began, now numbering 19:

WOMEN 10

Daughters of God Fiat Voluntas Tua Rosa Mystica

Sisterhood of Mary Magdalene

Stella Maris

Talitha Koum

Theotokos Totus Tuus Verso il Cielo

Vessels of Mercy

MEN 9

Alethes Arete

Ardens Virtus Esse Bonus Vir Filii in Filio Fishers of Men

Immaculata Vincet

Knights of Sebaste Lions of Judah Praecursores Verbi

I have never been a part of a more joyful, loving, faith-filled group of women. I have greatly enjoyed getting to know every girl and seeing how they bring their God-given gifts to make our household so amazing.

— Marybeth ('22), Communications and Business Administration

Discover Your Passion

STUDENT LIFE

With 30+ student-led clubs and weekly campus events, you’ll never be bored at AMU!

Some of our most popular events and clubs on campus:

EVENTS

Dorm Wars Oktoberfest

CLUBS

Your Campus Home

Living on campus fosters a sense of community, and living in the dorms means friendship is all around you — you live here, you learn here, and you practice your faith with your AMU family.

female and all male residence halls

Each dorm building is entrusted to the care of a Residence Director (RD): a full-time live-in AMU staff member dedicated to assisting their residents.

All our dorms have private, ensuite bathrooms, as well as community kitchens, common rooms, coinless laundry machines, and a chapel that houses the Blessed Sacrament 24/7.

Just as the classroom strengthens your mind, your residence hall will strengthen your heart.

Start Your Pilgrim Journey

SPRING BREAK LIKE YOU’VE NEVER EXPERIENCED IT

Every single day is a little adventure with

Jesus.

— Brooke ('24), Education

In our international pilgrimages, students experience sacred spaces that invite encounters with Christ and His Church.

Strengthen your relationship with Christ in Ireland, France, Medjugorje, or on the Camino. Journey to Apparition Hill and pray at the feet of Our Lady; follow the steps of St. Patrick and St. Brigid through Lough Derg; visit the incorrupt body of St. Thérèse; travel the Way of St. James.

Begin your own journey of faith in the footsteps of the Church Triumphant by going on pilgrimage with AMU!

Study Abroad in Italy EXPAND

YOUR HORIZONS

Imagine being within walking distance of the Vatican, the Roman Forum, and Colosseum.

AMU’s Rome Program will immerse you in Italian culture and the history of the Church. You’ll walk in the footsteps of the saints, praying among magnificent relics in the company of generations of Catholics. You’ll have the opportunity to take a pilgrimage to the medieval hill town of Assisi, birthplace of Saints Francis and Clare, and will explore Renaissance art and architecture in Florence and Orvieto, and much more.

At the end of the program, you will return home with a greater appreciation for Rome’s immeasurable influence on our Catholic faith.

Join Our Lady’s Team

GYRENE ATHLETICS

Faith is the center of our life here, and our athletic programs are no exception. The Athletic Department at Ave Maria University prepares you to be an outstanding athlete and a powerful witness of the love, perseverance, and zeal of Christ. Our athletes are more than athletes — they’re disciples.

AMU participates in the highly competitive Sun Conference of the NAIA, 240 colleges and universities that compete in a manner most similar to Division II of the NCAA. As such, student-athletes receive partial athletic scholarships that can be combined with other institutional and government aid.

At Ave Maria, we have 27 NAIA varsity athletic programs, six additional club sports, and nine intramural sports that have regularily scheduled league-play.

WOMENS Varsity 14

MENS Varsity 13

CLUB 5

Cheerleading

Equestrian

Shotgun Shooting Disciplines

Women’s Rugby

Women’s Ultimate Frisbee

INTRAMURAL 8

Coed Kickball

Coed Soccer

Coed Volleyball

Men’s Basketball

Men’s Flag Football

Pickleball

Women’s Basketball

Women’s Flag Football

At AMU, athletics are a training ground for life. To be a Gyrene requires dedication, motivation, and a willing mind, body, and spirit. Our athletics staff is ready to help you strengthen your skills as you strengthen your faith.

The term “gyrene” dates back to WWI as a nickname given to G.I. Marines in the U.S. Marine Corps.

Our founder, Tom Monaghan, served as a Marine; we honor his and all our veterans’ sacrifices through our mascot.

Did You Know?

Coaches Who Care

MEET THE ATHLETIC STAFF

Our staff features nationally recognized names with experience coaching NCAA Division I programs and international teams — we even have two Olympians on staff!

Your coaches at AMU care about your soul, not just your skills. You’ll consistently be called to virtue on and off the field, and encouraged to pursue excellence in everything you do. AMU coaches don’t compete for glory — they coach to glorify God and honor our Mother Mary — and they’ll inspire you to do the same.

Being a Gyrene is no easy task, but if you’re willing to put in the work, you can play the sport you love in a community where you will become not only a better athlete, but a better disciple of Christ.

Ave Maria has blessed me abundantly — athletically and spiritually. My coaches care about me as a person before anything else. I will always dedicate everything I have on and off the court to represent Our Lady and this school as best as I can!

—

Patrick (‘24), Men’s Basketball

Heroic sanctity isn’t easy, and neither is the life of a collegiate student-athlete.

— Elizabeth Feger (‘12), Associate Athletic Director

I love AMU athletics because of our high care factor. We care about winning, we care about our students graduating, but most importantly, we care about their souls.

—

Jamon Copeland, Head Men’s Basketball Coach

The Next Generation of Catholic Leaders

SUCCESS AFTER GRADUATION

Ave Maria students graduate equipped with a comprehensive education, essential job skills, and an unwavering commitment to the faith — all the tools they need to venture into the world to make a profound impact everywhere they go.

Our Career Services department guides you in cultivating your skills and presenting yourself to future employers. From resume and cover letter workshops to career fairs, you’ll receive the support, tools, and resources to succeed in your field.

The next generation of young, Catholic leaders are coming from Ave Maria University — and you could be one of them!

In the 2023-2024 academic year, AMU students participated in biology, chemistry, biochemistry and physics directed research 60+ times in areas ranging from Alzheimer’s disease, malaria, structural biochemistry, skin care, novel materials, robotics and particle physics.

Since 2021, there have been 22 scientific peerreviewed publications with AMU students and their chemistry and physics professors.

AMU gave me an excellent formation. It encouraged me and my classmates to see ourselves as effective witnesses through our career paths. I don’t think I would be able to do this work in the same way if I hadn’t gone to AMU.

— Julia (‘13), Ph.D., Clinical Psychologist, Lux Counseling and Consulting

My education at Ave Maria set me up for success. Every piece of AMU was formative for my personal and professional development — it made me stand out as a candidate. I credit my AMU experience for where I am today.

— Stephen (‘19), Global & Large Enterprise Partnership Manager at Gartner

As a hiring manager at a Catholic organization, I can say AMU grads make dream colleagues. Their commitment to excellence, strong strategic-thinking skills, and fantastic communication is only rivaled by their ability to problem solve, adapt, and have fun in the process!

— Marisa Beyers (‘12), General Manager at Ascension Press

You Can Afford a Catholic Education

SCHOLARSHIP AND AID

OPPORTUNITIES

At Ave Maria, we are dedicated to helping each of our students receive an excellent education without excessive financial debt. As an institution, AMU is designed to offer you a high-quality Catholic education at a manageable cost. We’ll be with you every step of the way, helping navigate your journey to Ave Maria.

A variety of scholarships and aid are available:

Merit-Based Scholarships

Government Assistance and Loans

Student Worker Programs

Athletic Scholarships

Sibling and Legacy Scholarships

98% of AMU students are on scholarship — you can afford a Catholic private education.

START YOUR JOURNEY AT OUR UNIVERSITY

At AMU, you will be challenged academically, grow in your faith, and make lifelong friendships in a community that supports you on your journey.

What you’ll experience at Ave Maria is truly unique. There’s a joy that radiates throughout our students, staff, faculty, and campus — a joy in the Truth.

Are you ready to take the next step?

Visit

Experience AMU firsthand. Ave Maria is 30 miles from the beach, with access to four airports.