St. Mary's University is an independent Catholic university in Calgary, Alberta, offering degrees in Liberal Arts, Sciences and Education.
St. Mary's University is located at 14500 Bannister Road SE, Calgary, Alberta, and is situated where the Bow River meets the Elbow River. Its mission is to be open to all and grounded in the Catholic Intellectual Tradition, educating the whole person to inspire and empower tomorrow's engaged, global citizens. The university describes its vision as becoming the preeminent Catholic University in Canada, known as a centre of academic excellence.
The original St. Mary's College Act received Royal Assent on September 18, 1986. In 1991, the Board of Governors decided to create an independent Catholic liberal arts college after the University of Calgary decided not to proceed with affiliation. On June 16, 2004, St. Mary's College officially became St. Mary's University College and was authorized to grant its own Bachelor of Arts degrees. In 2014, the institution was approved to change its name to St. Mary's University.
St. Mary's University describes itself as an innovative teaching and research university that provides degrees in Liberal Arts, Sciences and Education. It offers transferable university courses in 35 academic disciplines. The average class size is 25 students. Its strategic plan for 2024-2029 includes the goal of developing a greater emphasis on research.
The campus covers 35 acres. Listed facilities include campus parking, bike racks, the Daily Cafe, vending machines, the Library, the Gerry and Anna Maier Special Collections Reading Room, and a Fitness Centre with lockers, showers, personal training and group exercise. In 2021, the university hosted the CCAA Cross Country Running National Championships on its campus.
St. Mary's University offers several admission routes: High School Standing, Special Admission, Post-Secondary Standing, Mature Standing, and Home Educated Students.