Understanding what it means to be a Catholic university helps explain why a Regis education feels different. Founded in 1877 by the Society of Jesus, Regis is built on a tradition that holds truth, reason, faith and service to others as inseparable pursuits. Catholic identity and values are not a footnote here. They are the reason the curriculum is designed the way it is, the reason faculty invest in you as a whole person and the reason community and service are central to everything you will do.
Jesuit identity and values are defined by openness, dialogue and genuine respect for people of every background and belief. At Regis, both Catholics and non-Catholics are welcomed as full members of the community and can fully benefit from the university’s mission. You are encouraged to bring your whole self, engage seriously with life’s big questions and commit to a life of purpose and service to others. Whatever your story or your beliefs, you will find a community here that is ready to welcome you.
The Jesuit Catholic traditions at Regis are the foundation of an education that develops ethical reasoning, reflective discernment, servant leadership and a genuine commitment to making a difference in the world. Explore how these values shape academics and learning at Regis to see what a purpose-driven education can mean for your future.
Regis is shaped by two complementary traditions: the Catholic belief that faith and reason are deeply connected, and the Jesuit commitment to forming the whole person through excellence and service. Together, they give every degree and every campus experience a purpose that goes well beyond professional preparation.
The Catholic tradition brings to Regis a rich intellectual heritage that has shaped universities, hospitals, scientific inquiry and social reform for centuries. At its core, Catholic identity and values hold that the pursuit of truth is a moral endeavor, that knowledge carries responsibility and that education must ultimately serve the common good. This conviction animates the Regis mission and gives every academic discipline a deeper purpose: to form graduates who think carefully, act ethically and contribute meaningfully to a more just and humane world.
Jesuit identity and values bring a distinctive educational philosophy to Regis, one that insists a great education does more than fill a mind with knowledge. It forms the whole person, intellectually, ethically, spiritually and socially, and prepares graduates to engage the world with both competence and conscience. Through an emphasis on reflection, ethical reasoning and purposeful action, the Jesuit approach challenges students to connect what they learn to how they live, and to ask not just what they can do with their education but what they should do with it.
While Regis University is a Catholic university rooted in Jesuit identity and values, many of the principles at the heart of a Regis education are deeply human values that resonate across faith traditions and backgrounds, including service, ethical reasoning, care for others and a commitment to justice. Students who do not identify as Catholic often find that a values-centered community like Regis offers a stronger sense of belonging and shared purpose than many nondenominational schools, precisely because the community is united by something deeper than location alone.
*First Destination Survey, 2025
All Regis students complete core requirements in religious studies, philosophy, ethics and justice, while adult undergraduates also complete a Leading Lives That Matter course. A wide range of elective Catholic courses and a Catholic Studies minor are available for students who want to explore their faith in greater depth.
Service learning at Regis connects your academic study to real community needs, giving you the opportunity to apply what you learn in the classroom to meaningful, hands-on engagement with the world around you.
Regis offers scholarships and tuition benefits rooted in its Catholic mission, including the Ignatian Scholarship for Religious Leadership, discounts for Catholic clergy and religious workers and partnership scholarships for students from Catholic and Jesuit high schools, including Arrupe Jesuit High School.
Elizabeth Wolfe, B.S. Psychology '24Jesuit education is really focused on the students and just how we're doing as people, which is really nice. You really see it in the teachers. I've never had teachers even like in high school or growing up that were so caring as they are here. They really are here for you and they really just make me feel at home and welcome regardless where I am in life ... I just always really appreciate that because that's something I can take into the community after you graduate.
Catholic identity at Regis is reflected in how people treat one another. It shows up in the care faculty take with students, the respect that defines classroom conversations, the commitment to service woven into degree programs and the sense of shared purpose that makes Regis feel like a genuine community. From the chapel at the heart of campus to the service learning experiences embedded in your course work, the values at the core of Catholic identity, including dignity, compassion, justice and the common good, are present in the everyday rhythms of life at Regis, whether or not you share the faith that gave rise to them.
University Ministry at Regis offers worship, community and conversation for Catholic, Christian, interfaith and nonreligious students, from those with a deep faith practice to those simply exploring what they believe and who they are becoming.
Regis actively creates spaces and programs for dialogue across faiths and worldviews, bringing together students of different backgrounds and beliefs to build understanding and respect. Students can also connect through University Ministry, the Muslim Student Association and an interfaith prayer room.
Retreats and spiritual direction are available for students who want dedicated time and space for reflection, discernment and personal growth, with all participation entirely voluntary and open to students of any background or belief.
At Regis, reflection and service are not extracurricular add-ons but core parts of how students learn, grow and discover the connection between what they study, what they value and what they want to do with their lives.
Catholic social teaching holds that every person has inherent dignity and that communities have a shared responsibility to protect it. At Regis, that conviction is not left in the classroom. It shows up in service learning partnerships, advocacy work, community engagement and a curriculum that consistently challenges students to connect what they study to the needs of the world around them. Faith, at Regis, is not separate from action. It is the reason for it.
Belonging at Regis is not something you have to earn or a standard you have to meet. Every student, regardless of background, identity or belief, is a full and valued member of a community built on dignity, respect and a genuine commitment to the well-being of each person.
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Whether you are deeply rooted in the Catholic faith, spiritually curious or simply open to exploring the bigger questions, Regis offers a range of ways to engage with Catholic life. From Mass and sacraments to retreats, service opportunities and community gatherings, every option is designed to support reflection, connection and personal growth at whatever level of involvement feels right for you. Nothing is required, and everyone is welcome.
Visit the University Ministry page for current Mass times, the full liturgy schedule and information about confession and adoration throughout the year.
The Office of Mission supports the spiritual and personal formation of the entire campus community, offering programs and resources rooted in Ignatian spirituality that are open to students, faculty and staff of all backgrounds and beliefs. Through the Ignatian Spirituality Program, spiritual direction is available for anyone seeking to deepen their sense of purpose, cultivate a practice of reflection or explore what it means to live a more intentional life.
Regis University Ministry offers a rich calendar of retreats and immersions throughout the academic year, ranging from single-day reflections and overnight retreats to week-long immersion experiences that connect spirituality with service and social justice. Open to students of all faiths and backgrounds, these experiences are designed to help you step away from the pace of campus life, connect with others and explore the deeper questions of meaning, purpose and vocation. Visit the University Ministry page to explore upcoming retreats and find an experience that fits where you are in your journey.
Regis students logged more than 60,000 service hours in a single academic year, a reflection of a campus culture where justice and service are woven into daily life rather than treated as extracurricular activities. From service learning embedded in degree programs and community partnerships serving Denver's most vulnerable populations to spring break immersions at Dolores Mission Parish and Homeboy Industries in East Los Angeles and student delegations at the Ignatian Family Teach-In for Justice in Washington, D.C., Regis offers a wide range of ways to connect learning to real-world action. Explore Service Opportunities or visit University Ministry to find an experience that matches your interests and passions.
Peer Ministers are student leaders who live in the residence halls and serve as a bridge between University Ministry and the broader student community, fostering inclusive and reflective environments through compassionate listening, faith-based programming and a steady, caring presence. Peer Ministers support students in exploring spirituality and personal meaning in a way that is welcoming to all, regardless of background or belief. Whether you are seeking guidance, looking for space to reflect or simply need someone to talk to, your Peer Minister is there to walk alongside you through your personal and spiritual journey.
To become a Peer Minister, students fill out the application from the Housing and Residential Engagement office or University Ministry. The process typically includes submitting an application, providing references and participating in interviews.
The Office of Mission is the heart of Regis's Jesuit Catholic identity, offering resources, programs and conversations that connect the University's values to everyday campus life. Whether you are curious about what it means to study at a Jesuit Catholic university or looking for ways to deepen your connection to the mission, the Office of Mission is a great place to start.