Benefits of a Catholic University Education

Franciscan University

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Benefits of a Catholic University Education

Morally Balanced Academics

National research has found that the three most Ethical reasoning and behavior is a strong theme in important characteristics of colleges and universities Catholic education, and it is used to shape the core to incoming students are the availability of a desired curriculum of many Catholic schools. Students not major, the quality of course offerings, and accessibility only learn skills and knowledge, they are taught how to professors. However, after paring down the list of those skills have the potential to affect others lives potential colleges, other factors gain greater priority. In and how they point to the universal Truth, that is, God. addition to being well-equipped academically, students Morally enlightened studies may highlight benets want to attend institutions that will give meaning and for developing areas, environmental consequences, direction to their lives. For this component, many corporate responsibility, and so on. Through this crossdiscipline moral assessment, students learn to think students look to Catholic colleges and universities. For centuries while the world was gripped by illiteracy and ignorance, the Catholic Church was a bulwark of critically and act ethically, whatever that entails for their eld and life outside of academics.

education, study, and scientic discovery. As Blessed Across all academic disciplines of Franciscan University Pope John Paul II wrote: A Catholic University is of Steubenville, professors maintain high academic distinguished by its free search for the whole truth about standards for their students. St. Thomas Aquinas states nature, man and God (Ex Corde Ecclesiae 4). With a that all truth, no matter the source, stems from the Holy rich academic background and this fearless dedication to Spirit. Under this philosophy, Catholic and academic the search for truth, Catholic institutions have emerged values both work toward the same end: the search for all over the world to help spread their commitment truth and knowledge. [The Catholic university] does to education as well as their passionate dedication to this without fear but rather with enthusiasm, dedicating improving the communities around them. By attending itself to every path of knowledge, aware of being a Catholic university, students will not only receive an preceded by him who is the Way, the Truth, and the excellent education in whatever eld they choose, they Life, the Logos (Ex Corde 4). Faculty use this guiding will also form deep ties with the communities they live in principle to impart the truths of their own study and and develop an acute awareness of social justice. expertise to their students. Students are encouraged not

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Among those rights is religious freedom and freedom of conscience. All persons bring their own history and religious traditions. This tapestry of experiences helps to enrich the overall life of the campus family and of each individual on campus. As an institution dedicated to the enrichment of all persons with the Truth and the love inherent in the Truth, Catholic universities like Franciscan encourage honest questioning of all aspects of ones relationship with Godthat relationship that begins with Gods invitation, which we know as the gift of faithtrusting that all honest questioning can only only to learn their course material, but to explore their subjects of interest on both an intellectual and a spiritual level. Critical thinking is a skill highly valued by Catholic institutions because developing new knowledge and strengthening faith often involve sincerely questioning both. lead back to the foundation, the Person of Jesus Christ.

Mission, Social Justice, & Community Service

Inspired by the missionary nature of our Catholic faith, Catholic colleges seek to instill in our students a sense of mission, born of true charity. Students are encouraged to engage in civic activities, develop awareness of local, regional, national, and global issues and current events, and to act on behalf of authentic social justice. Service to others is an integral component of a Catholic education, one which we take seriously at Franciscan University of Steubenville. opportunities households, sponsored and by various Local community service student University organizations, ofces give

Faith and Religious Freedom

Catholic colleges and universities draw their foundation from the Person of Jesus Christ, the Way, the Truth, and the Life,a font that provides a common dedication to the truth, a common vision of the dignity of the human person As a result of this inspiration, the community is animated by a spirit of freedom and charity; it is characterized by mutual respect, sincere dialogue, and protection of the rights of individuals (Ex Corde 21).

students an opportunity to positively shape the world around them throughout the semester. In addition, at

least 10 percent of our student body participate in community service and mission trips annuallytrips that enrich our students through the experience of others cultures and lives even as the others are enriched themselves. These experiences embolden our students to continue this Catholic legacy of charitable service after they graduate. By attending a Catholic college, young men and women have the opportunity to learn about and take part in causes that are bigger than they are, to which they can make a meaningful contribution. They can also form deep relationships with peers who hold similar values of peace, social justice, and community. Catholic education is renowned for its emphasis on holistic learning, shaping both the mind and the spirit. It is the philosophy of Catholic institutions that by educating the whole person, they are creating lifelong learners who will carry the lessons they learn in college into their lives outside

of the classroom. This allows individuals to maintain a meaningful, Christ-centered life no matter what career path they pursue. Franciscan University of Steubenville is a Catholic university in Ohio founded over 60 years ago. Over this time, it has grown from a small college with just 258 students to a major facility offering 42 undergraduate majors and 7 graduate programs, including biology degree programs, nursing degree programs, educational leadership graduate degree programs, and more. In addition to promoting high standards of academics, administrators also ensure that students are able to take advantage of an engaging campus community through athletics, intramural sports, clubs, student government, multiple campus publications, and community service projects. For more information about the benets of Catholic higher education, contact Franciscan University of Steubenville today.

Benefits of a Catholic University Education

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