Small Class Sizes With an average class size of 20, students have the opportunity to get to know their professors and work one-on-one with them.
Most of Our Faculty Have a Ph.D. or Equivalent Degree Since 92% of our faculty have a Ph.D. or equivalent terminal degree, our students are getting taught by the best there is!
Tutoring and Student Support AMU offers student support as well as advising and tutoring services for several subjects, available multiple times throughout the week. Additionally, advisors and tutors are available by appointment to meet with students outside of regular hours.
35 Majors and 33 Minors Ave Maria University offers a wide range of majors (35) and minors (31) across a variety of subjects. Students can graduate with multiple majors and/or minors.
Liberal Arts Curriculum Every AMU student completes a core liberal arts curriculum. These core classes cultivate a love for wisdom and the transcendentals—truth, goodness, and beauty.
Ph.D. Program in Catholic Theology AMU is one of only three Newman Guide universities with a Ph.D. program in theology. Our doctoral students get an excellent theological formation faithful to the Magisterium of the Catholic Church.
Honors Program Our Honors Program offers eligible students the opportunity to take advanced courses, an option to partake in special housing on the honors floor, a financial scholarship (to those that qualify), and more!
Study Abroad Twice a year, Ave Maria University students are afforded the opportunity to spend a semester in Rome. During their time in the Eternal City, students take courses that directly relate to their curriculum.
Canizaro Library The Canizaro Library is a state-of-the-art facility that holds over 215,000 volumes. We offer over 100 online academic journals, computer workstations equipped with student Wi-Fi, ample study space, language learning materials, and much more.
Special Book Collections The Department of Rare Books and Special Collections at Ave Maria University houses a wealth of historical Catholic artifacts. Along with 8,000 volumes of Catholic Americana, our collections have historical documents, fine bindings, and artwork, all of which is available for academic use.
Alumni Excel After Graduation AMU alumni take many paths after graduation! Some pursue graduate or professional schools (Notre Dame, University of Michigan, etc.), while others join the workforce at prestigious companies such as State Farm, ADP, JP Morgan, AEI, Vesco, CatholicVote, and so many more.
98% of AMU Students are on Scholarship AMU offers scholarships donated by generous benefactors. Almost every full-time undergraduate student (98%) receives some form of financial aid.
Shakespeare in Performance Ave Maria University is home to Shakespeare in Performance, a successful professional-level theater program where students bring Shakespeare’s plays to life.
Exceptional Average Incoming GPA Our average incoming GPA is 3.7.
90% Catholic Faculty A majority of our faculty members (90%) are Catholic, and non-Catholic faculty members are also supportive of the University’s mission.
Oath of Fidelity All theology faculty take the Oath of Fidelity to the Magisterium of the Catholic Church.
All Theology Faculty Have the Ecclesiastical Mandatum from the Local Bishop All theology faculty have the ecclesiastical mandatum, meaning they are recognized by the local bishop to teach Catholic theology in accord with Scripture, Tradition, and the teaching authority of the Catholic Church.
AMU is Featured in the Newman Guide from the Cardinal Newman Society Being able to earn a degree while also being authentically Catholic is something our community is very proud of. “Ave Maria’s Catholic, Marian identity impacts nearly every aspect of the campus life and academics.” – Cardinal Newman Society
University Culture Is Passionately Catholic At Ave Maria University, we envelop students, faculty, and staff in a truly Catholic atmosphere. Everything we do, from studies to service to free time, is meant to glorify God.
University Spirit and Mission are Rooted in Ex Corde Ecclesiae Our Lady’s University was established with a mission to sponsor a liberal arts education as articulated in Pope St. John II’s apostolic constitution Ex Corde Ecclesiae.
Nine Daily Masses and Daily Confession There are seven daily Masses offered on our campus, and there is confession available at various times throughout the day.
Mother Teresa Museum Ave Maria University is home to one of only two Mother Teresa museums in the world, hosting original relics and artifacts from Mother’s life, donated by the Missionaries of Charity. The museum is open to the public Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays.
24/7 On-Campus Adoration Ave Maria University is one of only three Newman Guide schools to offer 24/7 perpetual adoration on campus.
Daily Rosary Walks Around Campus Every day at 9 p.m., large groups of students gather in front of St. Maria Goretti Hall to go on a Rosary walk around campus.
Faith Households AMU is home to multiple faith households of either male or female students, where members are dedicated to mutually supporting one another in prayer, study, and recreation.
Catholic Identity At Ave Maria University, we are proud of our Catholic identity. We are committed to learning, teaching, and serving according to the faith.
Marian Mondays Every Monday night, students and faculty meet in the St. Sebastian (dorm) lobby for a night of desserts, games, and learning about our Blessed Mother Mary.
Retreats Ave Maria University offers spiritual retreats in the fall and spring semesters, allowing students to discover/nurture their relationship with Christ. Retreats are a wonderful way to disconnect from the world and focus on your faith, while having fun and growing in friendship with your fellow classmates.
AMU Is One of Only Five Newman Guide Schools to Offer Varsity Football Ave Maria University is committed to integrating the Catholic faith into all of its sports programs.
New Facilities Four new athletic facilities were completed in 2023, including a new field house, athletic locker rooms, a new weight room, covered outdoor basketball courts, and much more, giving our students (both athletes and non-athletes) the opportunity for a tremendous athletic experience.
27 Varsity Sports Most of our teams compete in the competitive Sun Conference of the NAIA. All of our athletes get some form of the athletic scholarship that they can add to their overall AMU financial aid package. Six of the 27 sports also have junior varsity teams so that even more students can continue their athletic careers into college.
Intramural Sports In addition to our varsity sports, Ave Maria University offers several sports at the intramural levels. We offer seasons of intramural volleyball, basketball, flag football, softball, soccer, kickball, pickleball, and more! There are tremendous opportunities for fellowship, competition, and fun.
Club Sports Ave Maria also sponsors six club sports. These are student run and overseen by an AMU administrator; they compete against club teams from other colleges and universities.
AMU Athletics Promote a Catholic Spirit All our sports programs place a faith in Christ at the center of their work. You don’t need to compromise your pursuit of athletic excellence. We know that our Christian faith makes our teams and athletic culture stronger.
Widely Renowned Coaches Our staff features nationally recognized names with experience coaching NCAA Division I programs and international teams. Some of our coaches have been Super Bowl champions and have even competed in the Olympics.
Marching Band The marching band is rooted in discipline and Gyrene spirit, and the members earn academic credit. They perform at the home football and basketball games, parades in Ave Maria and Naples, and several high-profile events throughout the academic year.
Home of the Gyrenes The term “gyrene” dates back to World War I as a nickname given to G.I. Marines in the United States Marine Corps. Our founder, Tom Monaghan, served in the Marine Corps, and we honor the fighting spirit of our armed forces in all that we do.
23 NAIA Varsity Sports Our athletes go up against Division I teams, gain national recognition, and compete in the Sun Conference.
Nearly 90% of Undergraduate Students Live on Campus With so many of our undergraduate students living in the residence halls (90%), it’s no wonder there’s such a warm sense of community on campus.
Athletics Scholarship Opportunities Our varsity programs provide unique opportunities for scholarships in a variety of sports including (but not limited to) men’s rugby, women’s beach volleyball, and men’s and women’s swimming.
Campus Located in Sunny Southwest Florida Located in beautiful Southwest Florida, our campus is only 25-30 minutes from the edge of Naples and 45 minutes from the beach. The average high temperature from September to May is 80°.
Athletics Service Requirement All AMU athletes complete 10 hours of community service per season. The coaches organize outings to soup kitchens, food pantries, etc., for students to attend with their teams.
Joyful Campus Culture The culture at Ave Maria University is unlike any other. When on campus, you can see the sense of joy and love our students, faculty, and staff have for one another and the school.
Many Students Have a Job on Campus More than 250 students have a job on campus, which allows them to develop technical and soft skills while studying full time. Whether to make money or to gain experience, AMU has several internships and student worker positions for you.
57% of Students are Active in Community Service More than half of our students (57%) are active in service outreach. These opportunities include mission trips (domestic and international), as well as several local opportunities to serve in soup kitchens, food pantries, local schools, and more.
30+ Clubs and Organizations Ave Maria University has over 30 nonathletic clubs and organizations; from surfing club to drama club to swing dance, every student has the opportunity to find and join an activity they love. There are clubs for academics, arts and culture, faith and service, and even outdoor recreation.
National and International Representation Ave Maria University is proud to welcome students from 46 states and 16 foreign countries.
AMU's Pro-Life Club Ave for Life is the largest of all student-led clubs and organizations on campus.
Theology on Tap Ave Maria University hosts many speakers throughout the semester, including Matt Fradd, Jason Evert, Chris Stefanick, Scott Hahn, Edward Sri, Immaculée Ilibagiza, and the family members of modern-day saints.
Campus Architecture Ave Maria University was designed in the Frank Lloyd Wright architectural style. Students can appreciate the unique architecture in the breathtaking Ave Maria Parish Church, the Canizaro Library, and all other campus buildings.
Women’s and Men’s Groups AMU hosts recurring men’s and women’s group meetings. The purpose of these groups is to help male and female students grow in authentic masculinity and femininity as a community. Every gathering features a key speaker and free food.
Lively Town Center Across the Street From Campus Across the street from campus is the vibrant Ave Maria Town Center. There are multiple restaurants and shops, as well as a farmer’s market on Saturdays—all of which revolve around the majestic Ave Maria Parish Church.
365 Days of Outdoor Living Ave Maria University is adjacent to some of the most diverse ecosystems on the planet, including the Everglades, Big Cypress Swamp, and the Florida Keys.
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