The University

The Catholic University of America is located in the northeast quadrant of Washington D.C., approximately three miles from the U.S. Capitol. Founded in 1887 as a research-oriented institution, Catholic University is comprised of twelve schools and currently has an enrollment of about seven thousand students, about half of which are graduate students. Catholic University is among the founding schools of the Association of American Universities and is one of the original sponsors of Oak Ridge Associated Universities, a nonprofit research management corporation of forty-nine universities fostering research in energy, health, and the environment.

Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008 Required Disclosure: All prospective students, applicants, employees, and current students of the Catholic University of America should visit the Office of the General Counsel website at http://counsel.cua.edu/ConsumerInformation.cfm to become familiar with specified information regarding Title IV and Title IX.

Senior Vice Provost for Academic Administration and Dean of Graduate Studies

Dr. J. Steven Brown is the Senior Vice Provost for Academic Administration and Dean of Graduate Studies. 

The Office of the Senior Vice Provost for Academic Administration and Dean of Graduate Studies is located in McMahon Hall, Room 116.

The Schools

There are twelve schools at Catholic University, all of which offer graduate degrees:

The School of Architecture and Planning offers graduate programs that lead to the degrees Master of Architecture (professional degree), Master of Architectural Studies (post-professional degree) Master of City and Regional Planning (post-professional degree) and Master of Science in Sustainable Design (post-professional degree).

The School of Arts and Sciences offers graduate programs that lead to the degrees Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Master of Arts, Master of Fine Arts, Master of Science, Master of Science in Library and Information Science, Master of Science in Information Technology with a concentration in Health Information Technology, and Doctor of Philosophy. The departments of the school offering graduate degrees are anthropology, biology, chemistry (chemical education), education, English, Greek and Latin, history, integrated economic development management, international political economics, library and information science, modern languages (Spanish), physics, politics, psychology, Semitic and Egyptian languages and literatures, and sociology. Interdisciplinary programs are available in early Christian studies, medieval and Byzantine studies, biotechnology, and nuclear environmental protection.

The Busch School of Business offers graduate programs that lead to master's degrees in business, eccleslal administration and accounting. Each one teaches career-oriented skills with an emphasis on respect for the dignity of the human person, and the positive role of business and economics as forces for good in communities, institutions and society.

The School of Canon Law offers graduate programs that lead to the pontifical degrees of Licentiate in Canon Law and Doctor of Canon Law. A dual degree program is also conducted in conjunction with the Columbus School of Law.

The School of Engineering offers graduate programs that lead to the degrees Master of Biomedical Engineering, Master of Civil Engineering, Master of Electrical Engineering, Master of Mechanical Engineering, Master of Science in Computer Science, Master of Science in Engineering, Doctor of Engineering and Doctor of Philosophy.

The Columbus School of Law offers the LL.M. and the Juris Doctor degree, with a broad curriculum that prepares graduates for a range of professional career opportunities. The school also has joint degree programs with the schools of arts and sciences, library and information science, philosophy, social service, and canon law. Concentrated certificate programs are available in communications law, securities law, law and public policy, and international law. Through a number of clinical programs, students gain professional service and skills experience.

The Benjamin T. Rome School of Music, Drama, and Art offers graduate programs leading to the degrees Master of Arts, Master of Fine Arts, Master of Music, Master of Music in Sacred Music, Master of Arts, Doctor of Philosophy, Doctor of Musical Arts in Sacred Music and Doctor of Musical Arts. A joint degree program in music librarianship (Master of Arts in Musicology and the Master of Science in Library Science) is also available, as is a concentration in Latin American music within most graduate degree programs.

The Conway School of Nursing offers graduate programs that lead to the degrees Master of Science in Nursing, Doctor of Philosophy and Doctor of Nursing Practice degrees. The program leading to the Master of Science degree offers students the opportunity to acquire knowledge and skills in advanced practice roles with concentrations in adult/geriatric, family, and pediatric health. Doctoral study in nursing enables the student to integrate clinical acumen with research knowledge and skills.

The School of Philosophy offers graduate programs leading to the degree Master of Arts, Doctor of Philosophy and to the pontifical degrees of Bachelor, Licentiate and Doctor of Philosophy.

The Metropolitan School of Professional Studies offers a Master of Arts degree in Human Resource Management and a Master of Science degree in Management by extending the resources and expertise of the University to the Washington area community. Individual programs are designed with a maximum of flexibility to meet the special needs of adult students, while classes are offered evenings and weekends to accommodate nontraditional schedules. The college also works with business and professional groups to meet the professional updating and certification needs of their members. Online master's degrees are also available.

The National Catholic School of Social Service offers programs that lead to the degrees Master of Social Work and Doctor of Philosophy. The Master of Social Work Program prepares students for advanced entry into the social work profession with theoretical knowledge, practice skills, research utilization and professional values. M.S.W. candidates concentrate in clinical social work with individual adults; with children and adolescents; in family practice; or in social policy, planning and administration. The program leading to the Doctor of Philosophy degree prepares candidates for research and theory development roles in clinical practice, policy development and social justice, or teaching.

The School of Theology and Religious Studies offers graduate academic and ministerial programs that lead to the degrees Master of Arts, Master of Divinity, Master of Religious Education, Doctor of Ministry and Doctor of Philosophy and to the pontifical degrees of Bachelor, Licentiate, and Doctor of Sacred Theology. Academic areas of study include Biblical Studies, Church History, Hispanic/Latino Studies, Historical Theology, Liturgical Studies/Sacramental Theology, Moral Theology/Ethics, Pastoral Studies, Religion and Culture, Religious Education/Catechetics, Spirituality, and Systematic Theology. Joint degree programs are available in Catholic education leadership, history of religions and religious studies and library science. Theological College, under the direction of the Sulpician Fathers, provides for diocesan seminarians the spiritual formation and the opportunity for personal integration that are necessary for ordination to the priesthood in the Roman Catholic Church. The School of Theology and Religious Studies also provides the academic formation for a number of other seminaries in the Washington, DC area.

Accreditations and Memberships

The Catholic University of America is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, 3624 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104. The Middle States Commission on Higher Education is an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the United States Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.

Specialized Accreditations

Institutional Memberships

Specialized Memberships

The Degrees

Find a list of graduate degrees offered by Catholic University

Request more information on a specific degree program