Twenty Questions and Answers About
Selecting a Catholic College
1. What is the special value of a Catholic
college education?
A faithful Catholic college provides an open
and healthy environment for serious consid-
eration of ideas without the tyranny of ha-
rassment, political correctness or enforced
relativism. The same cannot be said for many
secular institutions.
At the colleges featured in this Guide,
students will also find a vibrant Catholic cul-
ture on campus that respects Catholic moral
teaching and offers numerous opportunities
for spiritual development. Although every
campus varies, differences from the typical
secularized Catholic campus might include
a more active Catholic campus ministry, re-
spect for Catholic values in areas including
residential life and campus programs, active
pro-life and social justice efforts, community
outreach programs, Catholic study groups,
etc.
2. Can I get a good education at Catholic
colleges and universities that are not
included in this Guide?
This Guide represents the Catholic colleges
that we were able to identify as placing a pre-
mium on their Catholic identity in all aspects
of campus life. They also provide a good edu-
cation. Among those colleges not included in
the Guide are some with strong academic cre-
dentials but that do not have, in our opinion,
the same commitment to Catholic identity.
The opportunity for strengthening spiri-
tual formation during the college years is
enhanced where Catholic teachings are con-
The Newman Guide
stantly reinforced. We believe that the best
combination of spiritual and academic com-
mitment is reflected in the colleges recom-
mended in this Guide.
3. What is Ex corde Ecclesiae?
It is the Apostolic Constitution on Catholic
higher education issued by Pope John Paul II
in 1990. The document, which is available at
TheNewmanGuide.com, identifies what con-
stitutes Catholic identity at Catholic colleges
and universities and specifies General Norms
to achieve a Catholic mission. These Norms
are binding on Catholic colleges as an appli-
cation of Canon Law.
In 1999 the U.S. bishops approved guide-
lines to implement Ex corde Ecclesiae in the
United States; these became effective in 2001.
Compliance by the U.S. Catholic colleges and
universities varies widely. Clearly, a Catho-
lic institution that minimizes or subverts Ex
corde Ecclesiae, which has the force of Canon
Law, has serious problems with its Catholic
identity. All colleges recommended in this
Guide enthusiastically support and abide by
Ex corde Ecclesiae.
4. What is a core curriculum?
A core curriculum is a body of courses that
is required for all students. Generally, these
reflect a traditional liberal arts perspective.
Some colleges’ core curricula encompass the
entire four-year program, while others reflect
only a limited number of courses.
The importance of a core curriculum,
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Twenty Questions and Answers
in our opinion, is to ensure that students are
adequately exposed to the Catholic intellec-
tual tradition through theology, philosophy
and other disciplines. As a rule, the larger the
number of such required courses, the better
the curriculum is likely to be in forming the
student’s thinking as a Catholic.
Sometimes a college may allow some flex-
ibility within the core curriculum, allowing,
for example, a student to choose among vari-
ous theology courses. This may or may not be
desirable depending on the choices available.
In the main, the best situation would seem to
be where students are exposed to as large a
number of strong, orthodox Catholic courses
as possible.
5. How is a core curriculum different from a
Great Books curriculum?
A Great Books curriculum prescribes that stu-
dents be taught the classical works of Western
Civilization, generally through direct reading
of the texts and discussing them and writing
about them. A Great Books program can be
secular in nature, but those identified in this
Guide are not.
Those who promote a Great Books ap-
proach at Catholic colleges see it as an unfet-
tered way to present the Catholic intellectual
tradition, because they take the position that
the great classics are intertwined with Catho-
lic thought.
A Great Books program tends to be rig-
orous and can be an outstanding opportunity
for serious students seeking a broad liberal
arts degree. Such an approach, however, is
not for everyone—for instance, a student who
is seeking specialized courses in a traditional
college major.
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6. I consider myself more a “doer” rather
than a “thinker.” Should I avoid colleges
that place a premium on theology and
philosophy courses?
No, that would be a mistake. Everyone should
be concerned with “First Things”—the natu-
ral and supernatural truths that lie at the root
of all knowledge and activity—and the best
way to do so is to understand what they are
and how to address them. You would short-
change yourself by avoiding these academic
areas. For a fuller discussion of the impor-
tance of philosophy and theology, please read
Professor Kreeft’s essay at the beginning of
this Guide.
7. In identifying a college, should I place
a greater emphasis on a well-rounded
education or on training for a career?
This is a raging debate in education circles.
Historically, colleges were established to teach
people to read the Bible, perhaps even to be-
come clergymen. Another consideration was
that students be taught enough of the classics
to be good, productive citizens.
The focus on education, including higher
education, has shifted. There is a certain en-
thusiasm for courses and majors to be “rel-
evant.” To a large extent, we as a society are
the poorer for it.
We encourage students to direct their ed-
ucational priorities in this order: (1) broaden
your understanding of the Catholic intellec-
tual tradition; (2) develop a greater apprecia-
tion for writers and thinkers who have influ-
enced Western thought, including prominent
Americans; and (3) sharpen your reading,
writing and other intellectual skills to even-
tually take an active role in society.
That’s why a core curriculum is valuable;
it helps direct you toward learning what is es-
sential for you to lead a rewarding life as a
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Catholic in a democratic society. If you don’t
learn these basics in college, you are unlikely
to learn them later in life.
8. How important is accreditation?
Accreditation is very important. Problems can
result down the road if a student graduates
from an unaccredited college. In applying to
graduate school, for example, they may find
that their undergraduate work is not fully ac-
ceptable at the college to which they are ap-
plying.
A few colleges in this Guide are not yet
accredited because they are new and accredi-
tation can take several years. There is a stan-
dard process that an aspiring college must
follow. The good news is that once accredita-
tion is granted, it applies retroactively. We are
impressed by the progress that the not-yet-
accredited colleges in this Guide have made,
and we are confident that the key question is
“when” not “if” they will be fully accredited.
Nevertheless, students should discuss
this matter with the admissions office at each
college and feel comfortable with the accredi-
tation status of the college that is finally se-
lected.
9. Can a Catholic college have a lay board
or lay officials and be committed to
Church teachings?
Absolutely. It is not unusual for dedicated, or-
thodox Catholic laypeople to found or direct
a college.
The key is how closely the college em-
braces Ex corde Ecclesiae. Does it, for instance,
require the theology professors to receive
the mandatum from the local bishop? Is the
college’s commitment to Church teachings
reflected in the spiritual life, the curriculum,
the outside speakers who appear on campus,
the types of groups that flourish on campus,
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Twenty Questions and Answers
etc.? What is the college’s relationship with
the local bishop?
10. What is the mandatum?
According to the U.S. Conference of Catholic
Bishops, “The mandatum is fundamentally an
acknowledgement by church authority that a
Catholic professor of a theological discipline
is teaching within the full communion of the
Catholic Church.”
According to Canon Law, every Catholic
theology professor must receive the mandatum
from his local bishop. Catholic colleges, how-
ever, are not obligated to require the manda-
tum, and most colleges will not reveal which
professors have received it.
Students seeking assurance of the ortho-
doxy of theology professors should consider
colleges that voluntarily require the manda-
tum for employment and tenure. Many col-
leges in this Guide do so.
11. Do requirements such as the mandatum
or prohibiting appearances by pro-
abortion speakers curb academic free-
dom?
No. A college that identifies itself as Catholic
should be expected to reflect Church teach-
ings. A college’s purpose is to seek and teach
truth; at a Catholic college, the Catholic faith
is recognized as truth from God revealed to
us through Scripture, Christ and the Church.
Academic freedom protects faculty from
interference when they seek or teach truth ac-
cording to the methods proper to their aca-
demic discipline. Academic freedom also pro-
tects the truths of Faith from those who have
no recognized theological expertise but who
would publicly undermine Catholic teaching.
In his address to Catholic educators (found in
the Appendix), Pope Benedict notes that the
crisis of Truth is rooted in a crisis of Faith.
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Twenty Questions and Answers
12. How important is it to select a college
with a vibrant spiritual life?
It is critical. While most people assume that
colleges help provide a good education and
prepare young people for careers, it is also
a time for them to strengthen their spiritual
life as they mature into adulthood. The best
way to be so formed is to be in an atmosphere
where the spiritual life, inside and outside
the classroom, is emphasized and nurtured.
A Catholic college that does this is fulfilling
its role.
13. Is there an ideal residence hall
arrangement?
In general, we believe that male and female
students should live in separate residential fa-
cilities and that visitation rules should be ap-
propriately enforced. Residence halls which
provide an atmosphere where chastity is ex-
pected are to be especially commended.
There are some instances where colleges
have males and females in the same dormitory
but restrict each gender to different wings or
even floors. This may reflect a college’s space
or financial limitations. Such an arrangement,
while not ideal, might be workable provided
the college maintains strict and careful super-
vision. These arrangements bear close inspec-
tion by parents and students.
14. Alcohol consumption seems to be a prob-
lem on college campuses, even at good
Catholic colleges. What does this mean
for a parent?
Underage and binge drinking are widespread
problems and seem to reflect a general per-
missiveness within the broader society. It is
imperative that parents discuss the issue can-
didly with their son or daughter. While col-
leges can and do address the issue through
58
lectures and strict policies, it is ultimately the
responsibility of the individual student to do
the right thing.
15. Why are there so few larger universities
in this Guide?
When we evaluated all the U.S. Catholic col-
leges for inclusion in this guide, we looked for
those that actively lived their Catholic iden-
tity. We did not screen for size or locale or
other extraneous criteria. These colleges are
what our research reflected.
Sometimes the larger universities, in an
attempt to build a national secular reputa-
tion as a research university, feel the need to
de-emphasize their Catholicism. Some call it
academic freedom or even just diversity, but
it often unhinges a college from its traditional
moorings.
A large Catholic college can be faithful
to its identity if it so chooses. We are hope-
ful that more will begin to recognize that
academic excellence, freedom of inquiry, na-
tional reputation and Catholic identity are all
compatible.
16. Some of the colleges in this Guide are
small, even very small. Should I be con-
cerned about attending a college with a
small student body?
Certainly not. Small colleges can provide
great individual attention to student needs.
They can help students gain confidence in
classroom discussions, develop good rela-
tionships with faculty members and forge
friendships with other students.
But small colleges are not for everyone.
Some students prefer the opportunity to in-
teract with a wider range of students, par-
ticipate in more activities and take advantage
of broader course offerings. A student needs
to evaluate whether he or she is comfortable
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with the size of the college based on such is-
sues as his or her personality and academic
needs.
17. Is a college more likely to have a stronger
Catholic identity if it has an historical tie
with a religious order?
Alas, it is not. If that were the case, there
would be many more orthodox Catholic col-
leges that we could recommend. The com-
mitment to a Catholic identity on campus
varies from order to order, sometimes within
an order and from institution to institution.
In some instances, the presence of a religious
order has a profoundly positive impact and
in others it is negligible. Colleges need to be
evaluated on an individual basis.
18. College is expensive. What should I know
about financing my education?
A college education is, indeed, expensive.
Fortunately, there is an array of financial aid
that exists at each private college, including
those in this Guide. In some cases, almost all
students receive some assistance.
It is essential that you speak frankly with
the admissions and financial aid officials and
investigate what help might be possible. We
have been struck by the number of substan-
tial scholarships that are available at these
colleges, sometimes reserved exclusively for
Catholic students whose records indicate
great promise.
19. Should I be concerned that a college that
interests me is not widely known?
Not really. Some students believe that grad-
uating from a prestigious institution opens
certain career doors. And, in some cases, it
does. But for most students, such impact will
be minimal.
The Newman Guide
Twenty Questions and Answers
What is important is whether your Cath-
olic faith can be strengthened or at least main-
tained. Other considerations are whether you
will get a good Catholic education, whether
you will enjoy your undergraduate experi-
ence and whether the college provides you
with an opportunity to make some lifetime
friends. What more can you ask for?
20. I have found a few colleges in this Guide
that greatly interest me. What do I do
next?
You should visit the online site for the Guide at
TheNewmanGuide.com for more information
about the colleges, including contact informa-
tion. Next, thoroughly investigate the college’s
website. If you have questions, e-mail them to
the appropriate college representative. Read
the campus newspapers (many are online) to
learn more about what’s happening on cam-
pus—what are the issues, what are the prob-
lems, what do students seem to care about?
When you feel you have enough infor-
mation to winnow down your list, visit each
campus that has made the cut. The campus
visit is essential. Talk to students there, wan-
der around the campus, explore the town,
attend Mass and campus events and speak
forthrightly with college representatives. May
God bless your search!
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