Saint Johns University

What is the history of Saint Johns University?

Saint John's University traces its founding to 1857, when Benedictine monks established a school in central Minnesota. The institution later settled in Collegeville, where Saint John's Abbey remains central to its identity.

The university developed from a school serving the region into an institution offering undergraduate study and graduate theological education. Its long-standing academic partnership with the College of Saint Benedict gives students at the two independently accredited institutions access to a coordinated curriculum, shared services and many joint activities. That partnership is important when reading about Saint John's: a jointly offered opportunity is not necessarily located on the Collegeville campus.

What are the faculties and departments at Saint Johns University?

Saint John's offers a liberal arts undergraduate education through a coordinated academic program with the College of Saint Benedict. It also houses the Saint John's School of Theology and Seminary, which offers graduate theological study.

Undergraduates can pursue fields across the humanities, natural sciences, social sciences, arts and professional studies. Examples include biology, computer science, economics, education, accounting, nursing and theology. Courses and academic departments may serve students from both institutions, so applicants should check a program's catalog entry for its degree requirements, clinical or fieldwork obligations, and where required courses are taught.

The joint arrangement expands the courses available to Saint John's students, but it does not make the two campuses interchangeable. Some classes require travel between Collegeville and Saint Joseph. Graduate theology applicants should use the School of Theology and Seminary's requirements rather than undergraduate admissions guidance.

What is the location of Saint Johns University?

Saint John's University is in Collegeville, Minnesota, near Saint Joseph and the St. Cloud area. Its campus has a wooded setting; the College of Saint Benedict is on a separate campus in Saint Joseph.

Shared academic programs mean that students may travel between the two campuses for classes and activities. Campus transportation matters especially when planning a schedule with back-to-back commitments. The surrounding area offers access to St. Cloud services and employers, but students should consider transportation for off-campus work or appointments. St. Cloud Regional Airport is nearby, although flight availability may make other airports more practical for some trips.

What is the mission and vision of Saint Johns University?

Saint John's describes its educational purpose in terms of liberal arts learning, the Catholic intellectual tradition and Benedictine values. Its stated priorities include intellectual inquiry, community, service and reflection.

The university's affiliation with Saint John's Abbey is visible in its campus setting and religious programming. Students do not need to assume that every class or activity is religious, but applicants comparing institutions should consider how the Benedictine identity and the close partnership with the College of Saint Benedict shape the academic calendar and campus experience. These are the institution's stated commitments, not measures of how every student experiences them.