The Catholic University of America

The Catholic University of America is a private Catholic research university located in Washington, D.C. Founded by the U.S. bishops and chartered by Pope Leo XIII, it serves as the national university of the Catholic Church in the United States. The university offers undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs across disciplines including theology, philosophy, law, engineering, nursing, architecture, social work, and the liberal arts and sciences. Classified as a research university, it integrates faith and reason in its academic mission. Students drawn to The Catholic University of America often seek a Catholic intellectual tradition within a comprehensive university setting in the nation’s capital.

The Catholic University of America was founded in 1887 in Washington, D.C., after approval by Pope Leo XIII and incorporation in the District of Columbia. Conceived by the U.S. bishops as a national graduate and research institution, The Catholic University of America officially opened for classes in 1889, initially offering advanced studies in theology, philosophy, and related fields. Under the leadership of its first rector, John J. Keane, the university developed as a center for Catholic scholarship in the United States. Undergraduate programs were introduced in 1904, broadening its academic scope. During the twentieth century, The Catholic University of America expanded its professional schools, including law, engineering, architecture, nursing, and social work. In 2025, it received R1 research classification, reflecting its continued growth as a research institution while maintaining its identity as the national university of the Catholic Church.