About the
University of St. Thomas
Crescamus in Christo, Let us grow in Christ
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Our Purpose
Rooted in Faith and Reason
We are the University of St. Thomas, the Catholic university in the heart of Houston. We are committed to the Catholic intellectual tradition and the dialogue between faith and reason. By pursuing excellence in teaching, scholarship, and service, we embody and instill in our students the core values of our founders, the Basilian Fathers: goodness, discipline and knowledge. We foster engagement in a diverse, collaborative community.
The University of St. Thomas is a comprehensive university, grounded in the liberal arts. Committed to the unity of all knowledge, we offer programs in the traditional liberal arts, professional, and skill-based disciplines. Graduates of the University of St. Thomas think critically, communicate effectively, succeed professionally, and lead ethically.
Our Campus
Visit UST
The University of St. Thomas (UST) is Houston’s Catholic University, committed to the religious, ethical and intellectual traditions of Catholic higher education. For more than 75 years, we’ve been graduating students like you into successful careers in medicine, education, business, public administration and more – throughout Houston and across the globe.
We are a 33-acre campus on 18 blocks in the Montrose area of Houston. Showcasing a mix of historic homes, like Link-Lee Mansion and Hughes House, and modern architecture, like the Chapel of St. Basil and the Center for Science and Health Professions, UST integrates well within the arts district of Houston.
Our Administration
President & Leadership
Dr. Sinda K. Vanderpool, President
Dr. Sinda K. Vanderpool became the 10th President of the University of St. Thomas in 2025, bringing more than 20 years of leadership in Catholic and Christian higher education. She previously served as President and Vice-Chancellor of St. Mary’s University in Calgary and spent 18 years at Baylor University advancing student success, most recently as Associate Vice Provost.
A scholar of French literature, Dr. Vanderpool earned her Ph.D. from Princeton University and her B.A. from Davidson College. She has been recognized with the URSA Leadership Award and is active in national higher education organizations. At UST, she is leading efforts to strengthen the Catholic mission, expand academic excellence, and broaden access and opportunity for students.
Office of the President
Leadership & Administration
Faculty & Academics
Staff & Operations
Learning at UST
Academic Life
Academic programs at the University of St. Thomas are grounded in the liberal arts and informed by the Catholic intellectual tradition, developing students critical thinking while also providing professional skills. Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award baccalaureate, masters and doctoral degrees, UST students come from 40 different states and 51 different countries.
Students engage in coursework that stretches their critical thinking skills while challenging them to encounter real-world situations with ethics and the human person in mind. Examples of our Academic life include:
- Core Curriculum: Understand the foundational courses that shape every undergraduate degree.
- Centers & Institutes: Explore academic centers and institutes that inspire dialogue, hone in on specialized areas of study and welcome those who desire to go deeper into an educational experience.
- Study Abroad: Learn about opportunities to pursue academic study beyond Houston.
- Academic Calendar & Exam Schedules: Review important academic dates and examination schedules.
- Registrar: Access academic records, enrollment information, and official documentation.
Catholic Identity
Newman Guide Recommended
UST is accreditated by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. UST is faithful to the Magisterium, and in accordance with Ex Corde Ecclesiae. The University is also recognized by the Cardinal Newman Society as a Newman Recommended University, which speaks to UST’s commitment to a strong Catholic identity.
UST also holds accreditations from the Association of Theological Schools, the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs, the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and the American Chemical Society.
Honored by leading
Awards & Distinctions
The University of St. Thomas is nationally recognized for academic excellence, mission-driven education, and student success by leading accreditation and ranking organizations.
Life at UST
Our Community
Located in Houston, the University of St. Thomas offers students access to a dynamic city alongside a close-knit academic community. The University fosters intellectual growth, professional preparation, and a shared commitment to the integration of faith and reason. UST is a private, Catholic liberal arts institution founded in 1947 by the Basilian Fathers. Located in the Montrose/Museum District, we offer more than 40 undergraduate majors, a 15:1 student-faculty ratio, and a diverse, 3,395-student enrollment (fall 2024). Designated Hispanic-Serving, Asian-Serving, and Miniority-Serving Institution, UST prides itself on living out the mission of the universal Catholic Church through its student body.