A Franciscan Tradition at Alvernia University

Mission and Ministry

A Franciscan Tradition at Alvernia University

  • Reverence for the dignity of each individual.
  • Service to others in the local and global community.
  • Education of the whole person — mind, body, heart and spirit.
  • Gospel-centered values.

Alvernia’s Franciscan heritage includes a rigorous intellectual tradition that recognizes and values the importance of diversity of thought, faiths and cultures. We challenge our students to shape the world and transform it as working professionals, concerned citizens and caring community members, consistent with the principles and teachings of Saint Francis of Assisi.

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Our Catholic Heritage

At Alvernia, we express our heritage by sharing a Christian vision and goals, reflecting on the world as seen through the light of faith, and commitment to service for the common good. Our students experience intellectual and spiritual growth that shapes who they are for the remainder of their lives. It is our goal to provide opportunities for our students to wrestle with the challenges of coming into adulthood knowing that there can be harmonious unity between faith and reason. Campus Ministry offers a rich liturgical life for all our students, who are encouraged to participate in Mass on Sunday and during the week. They are also encouraged to worship and pray at one of the chapels available on campus.
 

Core Franciscan Values

Our core values form the foundation for decision-making, for program development, and for our relationships with each other in the pursuit of our personal, communal, and educational goals. They make an education at Alvernia distinctive. As members of the Alvernia community, each of us, no matter our role, willingly proclaims common ownership of these core values.
 

Service
  • We believe that service to others is central to the Franciscan mission and reflects the elemental values of humility and simplicity.
  • We value the unique contributions and gifts that each person brings to service in our internal communities.
  • We believe that social responsibility and devotion to service, particularly to the materially and spiritually disadvantaged, are cornerstones of the Alvernia mission. 
Humility
  • We recognize that what we have comes from God and, therefore, we exercise care and good spirit in revering and honoring each other.
  • We value simplicity that acknowledges need, asks for, and willingly accepts help.
  • We believe that what good we do is accomplished by God working in us, and we are not concerned with the appropriation of power or status.
Peacemaking
  • We believe that peacemaking is the striving for harmonious relations and the development of an environment that is calm and serene, free from strife and contention.
  • We believe that peacemaking in society should make it easy for all to obtain their material needs and to grow in their spiritual life.
  • We believe in a peaceful community of learning that resolves conflicts with fairness and justice.
Contemplation
  • We believe that each created being, by nature, is called to worship, and we value a prayerful and reverential attitude toward God, one another, and all creation.
  • We believe that we all are called to be contemplative, "to see with God's eyes."
  • We reverence all life, and we treat all creation with care and respect.
Collegiality
  • We believe that collegiality is founded on living the principles of service to others, humility, charity, and joy.
  • We believe that the spirit of collegiality is demonstrated in leadership that serves others and in a true community of shared vision, purpose, and decision-making.
  • We believe that the talents of each member of the community are necessary to create a nurturing and peaceful environment for personal growth and development.

Majors

The Programs of Study list is provided by the Alvernia University Undergraduate Admissions Office and is updated regularly. Therefore, it is subject to change.

Fast Track To A Graduate Degree

Make the most of your time by earning bachelor’s and master’s/doctoral degrees in five or six years.

Pre-Professional Programs

Additional Offerings

Minors

Alvernia offers a wide range of minors, which are optional programs of study that complement or supplement students' majors. They typically require 18-21 credits. Learn more about our offerings below.

 

 

 

SEARCH: General Education Program

SEARCH, Alvernia's distinctive general education program, emphasizes an integrative approach to knowledge and skill development rooted in the Catholic and liberal arts traditions. SEARCH is structured around four transformative General Educational Student Learning Outcomes (or GESLO) known as the 4 C's.

 

Honors Program

Participating in Alvernia’s Honors Program can make a big impression when applying for your first job or grad school by demonstrating superior academic abilities, commitment and motivation to take on challenging work, and desirable leadership skills.

Career Support

Alvernia's Office of Career Development supports students and alumni in job searches and career planning. Its services include individual career advising; résumé, cover letter, and LinkedIn profile reviews; interview preparation and practice; access to career information as well as internship and job opportunities; career fairs and networking connections; and graduate school application support.