The Nature of Education Offered to Students

As a Catholic university, Notre Dame is inspired by the spirit of Christ to create an authentic community dedicated to the truth, the dignity of the human person, the message of Christ, and the education of the whole person. Respecting both the Catholic tradition and the University’s own roots, and as articulated in its mission statement, Notre Dame endeavors to be “an environment of teaching and learning that fosters the development in its students of those disciplined habits of mind, body, and spirit that characterize educated, skilled, and free human beings.”

"The mind will not be cultivated at the expense of the heart. While we prepare useful citizens for society, we shall likewise do our utmost to prepare citizens for heaven."

Blessed Basil Moreau

Fostering intellectual, moral, and spiritual growth

The University of Notre Dame continues to carry out its educational mission in the spirit of Blessed Basil Moreau, founder of the Congregation of Holy Cross, by fostering intellectual, moral, and spiritual growth in its students, both those who are Catholic and those of other faiths. As part of its Catholic mission, Notre Dame strives for inclusion of all members of its community, and works to create an environment of mutual respect.