What is the Jesuit Difference?

One of the hallmarks of a Loyola education is its deep-rooted Jesuit heritage. Founded by Jesuits in 1852, Loyola College in Maryland has remained committed to the ideals embodied by the priests and brothers of the Society of Jesus throughout its rich history. Loyola was also the first Jesuit college in the United States to bear the name of St. Ignatius Loyola, the founder of the Society of Jesus.

Jesuit ideals include an emphasis on academic excellence, the importance of the liberal arts and the education of the whole person.
 

The Loyola Mission

Loyola College in Maryland is a Jesuit Catholic university committed to the educational and spiritual traditions of the Society of Jesus and to the ideals of liberal education and the development of the whole person. Accordingly, the College will inspire students to learn, lead and serve in a diverse and changing world.

At Loyola, this means that the curriculum is rigorous and faculty expectations are high. All undergraduates complete the core curriculum which includes courses in English, philosophy, theology, ethics, history, fine arts, foreign language, mathematics, natural science and social sciences. Students are challenged to understand the ethical dimensions of personal and professional life and to examine their own values, attitudes, and beliefs. The College also offers a Catholic Studies program for students interested in expanding their knowledge of the Roman Catholic faith.

In addition to academic coursework, the Jesuit mission is supported through a variety of programs and events sponsored by various College departments, including the Center for Community Service and Justice and Campus Ministry.
 

Find Out What Faculty Have to Say About the Jesuit Experience:

• Some Reflections on the Jesuit, Catholic Identity of Loyola College in Maryland 
  Dr. Angela Russell Christman, Associate Professor of Theology
• One Evangelical's Thoughts on Joining the Faculty of a Jesuit College 
  Dr. Kevin Hula, Associate Professor of Political Science
• The Principles of Jesuit Education 
  Rev. Joseph Rossi, S.J., Associate Professor of Theology
• Living Words: A Reflection on Teaching at Loyola 
  Dr. Juniper Ellis, Associate Professor of English
 

Additional Resources:

• History of Loyola College
• Center for the Humanities
• Service-Learning
• College Vision and Values Statement
• An Examination of the Jesuit Mission at Loyola
• Jesuit Conference Summary and Impact on Loyola (pdf)
• A Global Jesuit Perspective
 

Loyola welcomes students, faculty and staff from all backgrounds.