Navigating The Catholic University of America: A Student Portal Guide

The Catholic University of America offers a wide array of resources and services designed to support students throughout their academic journey. This guide provides an overview of key portals, offices, and programs available to students, aiming to enhance their overall educational experience and assist them in navigating university life.

Academic Resources and Support

Cardinal Students: Your Central Hub

Cardinal Students serves as the primary online portal for academic-related tasks. Through Cardinal Students, students can register for courses each semester, typically around the middle of the fall and spring semesters. It is essential to have no outstanding obligations to the university to be eligible for registration. Additionally, students can access their grades for all semesters through this portal. For those needing a hard copy of their grade report, an unofficial transcript can be printed directly from Cardinal Students, or an official transcript can be requested.

Law School Resources

Admitted students to Catholic Law become part of a supportive community. To prepare for law school, all incoming students are expected to take the Lawyering Fundamentals online course during the summer months, prior to Orientation. The course includes simulated classes with assigned readings and interactive modules, along with practice on case briefing, outlining, essay writing, and other helpful success strategies. All assignments will be completed in an online classroom. The course is not a credit-bearing course to be factored into your GPA, but you are expected to score 65% or higher to successfully complete/pass the course. First-year full-time day students take 15 credits of required courses in each Fall and Spring semesters. Classes typically meet Monday through Thursday between 9:00am and 5:00pm. Part-time students take a minimum of 10 credits in each Fall and Spring semesters. After your class schedule is confirmed, you can purchase your books through the University Bookstore or from any other source you choose.

Academic Integrity

Academic honesty forms one of the foundations of the educational mission and Catholic commitment of this University. The University's Academic Integrity Policy sets forth the standards of honesty that student members of our academic community are expected to follow. The faculty is also bound to adhere to the strictest standards of academic honesty.

Library Resources

The University Libraries play a crucial role in providing access to cultural and scientific heritage through resources and services, actively cooperating with faculty and students in the teaching, learning, and research process. The John K. Mullen of Denver Memorial Library houses Special Collections, including Rare Books, Museum, University Archives, and Manuscript Collections. The Manuscript Collection, also known as the American Catholic History Collection, documents the heritage and history of the American Catholic people. The specialized Semitics/ICOR Library supports research in the languages of the ancient Near East and the languages, literatures, and history of the Christian Near East. Catholic University is part of the Washington Research Library Consortium (WRLC) with eight other university libraries. Personal consultations with librarians are encouraged for in-depth research assistance.

Read also: Catholic School Educators

Study Aids

Study aids (also referred to as supplements) are commercially produced resources designed to assist you in your law school learning. You can use study aids as explanatory material to get background and context on a legal topic, or to clarify confusion. The Law Library subscribes to a variety of series from three publishers West Academic, Aspen Publisher, and Lexis Digital Library. The Law Library has created the Online Study Aid Finder. This resource contains all the study aids the library subscribes to organized by legal topic. All Aspen and West Academic study aids have text-to-speech capability.

Student Life and Well-being

Counseling Center

The Counseling Center assists students with defining and accomplishing personal and academic goals. It is a multidisciplinary, campus-based mental health organization dedicated to addressing the diverse needs of CUA students. The Counseling Center is located on the first floor of O'Boyle Hall, in room 127. To arrange an appointment, students can call or visit the Counseling Center. The first appointment, called an intake appointment, involves filling out several short forms. The intake counselor gathers information to determine which counselors at the Center are best suited to work with the student or whether their needs would be better met by a clinician or agency outside of the university. If individual therapy within the Counseling Center is recommended, an administrative support staff member will contact the student to schedule the first counseling appointment with their assigned counselor. Students may choose to engage in a limited number of individual sessions each school year, based on their concerns or goals. Counseling is most helpful when students are willing to change and willing to be open and honest about their feelings. The Counseling Center also provides after-hours emergency consultation services during the academic year. The confidentiality laws contained in The District of Columbia Mental Health Act of 1978 are strictly enforced at the Counseling Center.

Office of Disability Support Services (DSS)

The Office of Disability Support Services (DSS) provides services designed to support and encourage the integration of students with documented disabilities or conditions into the mainstream of the university community. DSS supports students with diagnosed disabilities or conditions including but not limited to: ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Blind or Low Vision, Chronic Health conditions, Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Learning Disabilities, Psychological Disabilities (such as generalized anxiety disorder and depression), and Traumatic Brain Injury. DSS can also support students with possible temporary accommodations for conditions that have short-term impacts on daily activities. Each semester, registered DSS students will be provided with a new accommodation letter for their classroom and testing needs. Students with testing accommodations will request that they take a quiz/exam/midterm/final with the DSS office.

Campus Ministry

Campus Ministry offers the Catholic University community numerous opportunities to encounter Jesus Christ and to grow in Christian faith. All Campus Ministry events are open to students of different faiths. Campus Ministry can connect students to their respective faith communities in the DC metropolitan area. The Campus Ministry Staff and Residence Ministers are available for students who are searching and need support in their spiritual lives.

Office of Campus Activities (OCA)

The Office of Campus Activities (OCA) helps students get the most out of their graduate school experience by creating opportunities to get involved. OCA sponsors the DC Nite Out program. On one Thursday every month, they provide a limited number of FREE tickets to an off-campus event as part of the Catholic U Nite Live program. There are more than 100 student organizations available at Catholic University. The Nest is your online location for everything about student involvement.

Athletics and Recreation

The Athletics Department provides a comprehensive athletic program with opportunities for participation at the intercollegiate, club, intramural and recreational levels. The Catholic Cardinals compete in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III, Landmark Conference, New England Men's and Women's Athletic Conference (football only), and Mid-Atlantic Rowing Conference for Men's and Women's Rowing. The Eugene I. Kane Student Health and Fitness Center is located in the heart of campus housing. The center provides opportunities for everyone, regardless of fitness level or athletic ability, to improve their overall health and well being. The center features a 25-yard pool, basketball and volleyball courts, a state of the art weight-training room, a dance studio, saunas, and an indoor running area. Club sports at Catholic University provide students the opportunity to dedicate their time to practices and competition through their team. The intramural sport program provides an opportunity for all students to enjoy themselves through team sports. Cardinal Adventures are small group outdoor excursions for those who love being active, the great outdoors or simply want to try something new.

Financial Matters

Cardinal Pay

Students can generate statements-on-demand, make payments, and enroll in direct deposit for student account refunds using Cardinal Pay, the universityâs billing and payment platform. Monthly payment plan options are also available in Cardinal Pay. The University is unable to discuss or disclose account information to any person other than the student unless the student has established that individual(s) as an Authorized User in Cardinal Pay.

Scholarships and Financial Aid

The Catholic University of America offers a wide variety of scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study appointments to new and continuing students at the graduate level. Federal funds are, by statute, awarded solely on the basis of financial need as determined by a federally approved needs analysis system.

Career Development

Center for Academic and Career Success (CACS)

A professional Center for Academic and Career Success (CACS) counselor is available to critique your resume and cover letter, help map out a job search strategy with you, and discuss all your career-related concerns. Schedule a "mock" interview with a Career Services counselor. The Center for Academic and Career Success also provides career interest assessments (the Strong Interest Inventory/SII and the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator/MBTI) that can assist you. Representatives from various organizations come to campus to discuss their organization/company in-depth, what they look for when hiring potential employees, and available job opportunities. Graduate students are invited and encouraged to attend our annual Fall and Spring Career Fairs. Handshake-Catholic University's new online system that lists jobs and internships for students and alumni, as well as graduate work-study opportunities. Interstride - A technology platform that assists students with finding job opportunities, immigration hurdles, community integration, and overall university engagement. or abroad.

Important Identification

Cardinal Card

The Cardinal Card is the official identification card at The Catholic University of America. It is a multi-purpose identification card that provides a variety of services to cardholders. In addition to being used to make purchases on campus, it provides access to academic buildings, residence halls, the DuFour Center, and the Kane Fitness Center. All registered students are provided a Cardinal Card.

Technology Access

CUA-SECURE and eduroam

CUA-SECURE is the University's authorized wireless network. eduroam (education roaming) is a secure, world-wide roaming access service for the international research and education community. It allows students, researchers and staff from participating institutions to obtain Internet connectivity across campus and when visiting other participating institutions, including Catholic University.

Additional Resources

Office of International Services (OIS)

The Office of International Services (OIS) holds an orientation for international and exchange students. This orientation is required for all "F" and "J" visa holders and other international students holding other visas are welcome to attend.

Office of Military and Veteran Student Services (OMVSS)

The Office of Military and Veteran Student Services (OMVSS) seeks to make the Catholic University of America the premier destination for military-affiliated students in higher education.

Graduate Student Association

The Graduate Student Association of The Catholic University of America is dedicated to the academic, cultural, and professional development of all graduate students enrolled at Catholic University.

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