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Mission
Nazareth University fosters integrated learning through action and reflection, educating whole persons who are guided by empathy, committed to equity, and prepared to lead innovation for our time.
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Curriculum
Nazareth University offers more than 89 majors, including education; math and sciences; business and management; visual arts, music, theatre, foreign languages, and other humanities; and a wide array of health and human service programs. Nazareth’s goal is to prepare students not only for one job, but for their life’s work through diverse, high-quality courses, experiential learning, and civic engagement.
Liberal arts courses are about a third of a college student’s investment in time and money, and Nazareth’s approach is to make that part as valuable and rewarding as the classes in your major. The University’s uncommon core curriculum gives you the tools, experience, guidance, and support to be the architect of your education, your career, and your future. This approach also makes Nazareth a good fit for students who are still exploring which major they’ll select, providing a foundation of engaging classes and experiential learning while students also get guidance from professors and academic advisors to find their path.
All students choose courses across a liberal arts menu to build knowledge, pursue interests, and develop the skills most sought by employers - problem solving, critical thinking, and exceptional communication. Along the way, students learn how to analyze engaging questions in different disciplines and then explore a question of their choosing through three courses they select in their integrational studies. Nazareth’s core curriculum requires experiential learning in the form of credit-based internships, co-curricular service, fieldwork, research, or leadership roles. The hands-on experiences reinforce coursework, connect students with potential career contacts and employers, and/or help students better understand themselves, the broader world, and current issues. Professors help students integrate the full experience, so that graduates leave Nazareth with the knowledge, adaptable skills, and comfort with the complexity necessary to be successful in today’s constantly changing world. More about the core: naz.edu/core
To obtain a baccalaureate degree, students must earn at least 120 credits and fulfill the general curriculum and major requirements.
100% of Nazareth University Students complete some sort of experiential learning opportunity (e.g., internship, student teaching, clinical work, fieldwork, practicum, or service learning), integrating and applying academic skills to real-world experiences.
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Recognition
Nazareth University is a top performer in the U.S. News & World Report 2025 Best College rankings, moving up 10 spots from last year to No. 44 in the Best Regional Universities North.
Princeton Review’s “Best 390 Colleges for 2025”
Nazareth is proud to be on the list for the 17th consecutive year as one of the country’s best institutions for undergraduate education according to The Princeton Review. Nazareth is featured in The Princeton Review’s annual guide The Best 390 Colleges: 2025 Edition.
2024-25 College of Distinction
Nazareth is among a select group of top colleges and universities across the country hand-picked to earn a 2024-2025 Best Colleges of Distinction designation for its commitment to exceptional undergraduate education. Nazareth also has earned recognition in each of these 2024-25 Colleges of Distinction areas: Top Business Colleges of Distinction, Top Education College of Distinction, Top Nursing Colleges of Distinction, Career Development College of Distinction, Equity and Inclusion College of Distinction, Military Support College of Distinction.
2024 Washington Monthly College Guide
Nazareth is No. 188 among nearly 600 Best Master’s Universities by the 2024 Washington Monthly College Guide and Rankings based on contributions to social mobility, research, and public service. Nazareth also made the list for the 2024 Best Bang for the Buck Rankings: Northeast - an exclusive list of schools ranked according to how well they help non-wealthy students attain marketable degrees at affordable prices.
Money’s Best Colleges 2024
2024 America’s Best Colleges - Money Magazine 2024, based on graduation rates, cost of attendance, alumni salaries, and more.
Ranked nationally on the 2025 Best Colleges in the U.S. - Wall Street Journal/College Pulse
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Commitment to the Future
Preparing students for a world of rapid change, and for careers yet to be defined, is the focus at Nazareth. College graduates must have relevant knowledge, exceptional critical thinking skills, a global mindset, and work experience. Our core curriculum is gives students the tools, experience, guidance, and support to be the architects of their education, career and future. Nazareth promotes global dexterity through coursework, foreign-language houses, events, a diverse campus community, and dozens of opportunities to travel, study, intern, and experience life overseas.
At Nazareth, liberal education is as valuable and rewarding as the in-major experience, and provides graduates with an advantage after graduation. As a result, the Nazareth curriculum is integrated, experiential, and focuses on what is most important to students, rather than on a pre-determined set of courses.
This is critical because today’s workplaces and world are constantly changing. Being successful requires a broad knowledge base, adaptable skills, and comfort with complexity.
A Nazareth University education prepares students not just for one job, but for their life’s work.
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Respect and Diversity
Notice of Non-Discrimination
The University does not permit discrimination or harassment in its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, religion, disability, medical condition, genetic information or predisposing characteristic, military or veteran status, political affiliation or belief, arrest or conviction record, marital status or any other characteristic protected by institutional policy or state, local or federal law. The University does not discriminate on the basis of sex or gender in its educational, extracurricular, athletic or other programs or in the context of employment.
The University, as an educational community, will respond promptly and equitably to reports of sex discrimination and harassment, sexual harassment, sexual violence, stalking, intimate partner violence, and sex- or gender-based harassment that does not involve conduct of a sexual nature in order to eliminate the harassment, prevent its recurrence, and address its effects on any individual or the community.
Inquiries concerning the application of this policy prescribed by Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, may be directed to Human Resources at Nazareth University, 4245 East Avenue, Rochester, NY 14618, 585-389-2060. The University’s Title IX Coordinator (Division of Community and Belonging) coordinates the responsibilities under Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972 and may be contacted at 4245 East Avenue, Rochester, NY 14618, 585-389-2877. For more information, see the websites of the Title IX Office and the Student Accessibility Services Office.
Statement of Diversity and Inclusion
Preamble
Nazareth University embraces a society that is both diverse and inclusive, and values both respect for the person and freedom of speech. Respect for the dignity of all people is an essential part of the University’s tradition, mission, and vision for the future as we advance a socially just and equitable community. The University promotes civility and denounces acts of hatred, violence, and/or intolerance.
Statement
We define diversity as a continuum of individual, group, and social differences, both visible and invisible. This definition compels us to confront inherent privilege, power, and marginalization as well as celebrate the inherent strengths & abilities diverse individuals and groups have brought to society and our institution. Diversity at Nazareth is concerned with, but not limited to: race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, religious and spiritual belief, ability, national origin, veteran status, age, and those individuals with cultural characteristics that have been historically underrepresented and underserved.
Nazareth University is dedicated to inclusion, the active pursuit of conscious and sustained practices and processes that value and respect differences. This commitment to diversity and inclusion informs our curriculum, teaching, learning, scholarship, creative activities, co-curricular activities, residential life, community involvement, and support of these endeavors by the Nazareth Community.
This commitment includes:
- engaging in a continual process of appreciation, education, critical self-reflection and dialogue regarding privilege, power, marginalization, as well as the recognition of how diverse groups have successfully navigated society across historical and current contexts,
- promoting greater access and inclusion through systemic and structural change,
- ensuring that all students, faculty, and staff reach their fullest potential individually and collectively,
- and facilitating an authentic sense of belonging for all students, faculty, and staff as members of our community.
This endeavor is essential in meeting the goal of preparing our students and ourselves for meaningful lives in a diverse and global society.
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Graduation Rate Report (Cohort Survival Survey)*
The most recent IPEDS Graduation Rate Report completed in Spring 2025 indicated that out of 544 full-time, first-time freshmen entering Nazareth in the fall of 2018 (adjusted for allowable exclusions), 396 or 73% graduated from Nazareth University - 345 by 2022; 47 by 2023; 4 by 2024; and 119 students or 22% transferred out. Of the 138 entering transfers in Fall 2018, 111 or 80% graduated from Nazareth University.
* Further information concerning graduation and completion rates is available in the Office of Institutional Research.
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NYS Teacher Certification Exams, Annual Institution Report (2022-2023)*
Total number of students taking tests: 117/Total number passing 112
Pass rate equals 96%
* In accordance with Title II of the Higher Education Act, Nazareth University has a report available on our teacher preparation programs which includes information on the pass rate of program graduates on required New York State certification examinations. If you would like more information, please contact the certification office at 585-389-2592.
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Additional Resources
This catalog should be read in conjunction with other important resources and documents, which provide valuable information regarding student services, student obligations, course offerings and key deadlines. These include Student Accessibility Services, Academic Calendar, and the Student Handbook.
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