About St. Mary's University

Mission Statement

St. Mary’s University, as a Catholic Marianist University, fosters the formation of people in faith and educates leaders for the common good through community, integrated liberal arts and professional education, and academic excellence.

Our mission statement is a reflection of the Characteristics of Marianist Universities. There are five elements that characterize the Marianist approach to education: educate for formation in faith, provide an integral quality education, educate in the family spirit, educate for service, justice and peace, and educate for adaptation and change. The three Marianist universities have published a book called Characteristics of Marianist Universities to fully describe the Marianist approach to education at the university level.

Who We Are

St. Mary’s University, founded in 1852 by Marianist brothers and priests, is the first institution of higher learning in San Antonio and the oldest Catholic university in Texas and the Southwest. Personal attention and powerful academic programs have made St. Mary’s a nationally recognized liberal arts institution.

The University provides a Catholic education experience that evokes academic excellence while integrating liberal studies, professional preparation and ethical commitment. St. Mary’s full-time faculty members, 93 percent of whom hold doctoral or terminal degrees in their fields, are committed to student success in and out of the classroom. St. Mary’s offers more than 75 programs, including two doctoral and two law programs. With a diverse student population of about 3,800 of all faiths and backgrounds, the student/faculty ratio of 12-to-1 permits small classes and promotes active learning.

The Marianists who came to San Antonio in 1852 responded to the call of their superiors to establish an educational institution to regenerate the people of the city. Through their work and the work of those who followed them, St. Mary’s University has maintained its reputation as “a noble institution destined to be a great education center of the Southwest.”

In Compliance with Title IX, St. Mary’s University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the education programs or activities it operates. Question regarding Title IX may be referred to the St. Mary’s University Title IX Officer or to the Office of Civil Rights.

Academic Accreditation

St. Mary’s University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award B.A., B.B.A., B.S., L.L.M., M.A., M.B.A., M.Jur., M.P.A., M.S., J.D., and Ph.D. Degree-granting institutions also may offer credentials such as certificates and diplomas at approved degree levels. Questions about the accreditation of St. Mary’s University may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling 404-679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website.

Specialized Accreditation

Business Administration

Greehey School of Business: AACSB International – Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.

Master of Business Administration (MBA)AACSB – International Association of Management Education

Counseling

Clinical Mental Health Counseling (M.A.): CACREP – Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs

Marriage and Family Therapy (M.A.): COAMFTE – Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education

Counselor Education and Supervision (Ph.D.): CACREP – Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs

Marriage and Family Therapy (Ph.D.): COAMFTE – Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education

Education

Catholic School Leadership (M.A.): Approved by The Texas State Board for Educator Certification

Education (M.A.): Approved by The Texas State Board for Educator Certification

Educational Leadership (M.A.): Approved by The Texas State Board for Educator Certification

Reading (M.A.): Approved by The Texas State Board for Educator Certification

Teacher Education Program: Approved by the Texas State Board for Educator Certification

Engineering

The Bachelor of Science degree program in Computer Engineering is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, http://www.abet.org

The Bachelor of Science degree program in Electrical Engineering is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, http://www.abet.org

The Bachelor of Science degree program in Industrial Engineering is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, http://www.abet.org

The Bachelor of Science degree program in Mechanical Engineering is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, http://www.abet.org

Law

Juris Doctorate (J.D.): Approved by The American Bar Association

Music

B.A. Degree: Accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music NASM, https://nasm.arts-accredit.org

B.A. Degree with Teacher Certification: Accredited by the National Association of Music NASM, https://nasm.arts-accredit.org

Institutional Memberships

The American Association of Higher Education
The American Association of University Women
The American Council on Education
The American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education
The American Bar Association
The American Schools of Oriental Research
The Association of American Colleges and Universities
The Association of American Law Schools
The Association of Governing Boards of Colleges and Universities
The Association of Texas Colleges and Universities
The Association of Texas Graduate Schools
The Conference of Southern Graduate Schools
The Council of Colleges of Arts and Sciences
The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities
The International Association of Counseling Services
The Independent Colleges and Universities of Texas
The National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities
The National Catholic Educational Association
The Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities
The National Collegiate Honors Council
The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
The Texas Humanities Alliance
Council of Undergraduate Research