Student Services

During business hours, the Institute offers a student lounge and a reading room that can be accessed on the classroom level (ground level) of McGivney Hall.

The lounge offers a convenient place for meals and comradery among classmates. The reading room provides a space for quiet studying between classes.

Student identification cards, known as “Cardinal Cards,” are available through the Catholic University ID Card Office, which is next to the Information Desk in the Pryzbyla Center. These cards allow John Paul II Institute students to gain access to the John K. Mullen Memorial Library and check out books. They can also be used to access to the DuFour Athletic Center and the Kane Fitness Center (see information below on campus fitness resources).

To receive a card, students must submit a photo as part of the application process. Visit McGivney Hall office 312 with questions.

If a student needs a card replacement, the student must go to the ID Card Office next to the Information Desk in the Pryzbyla Center.

Dining services are available at the Dining Commons on The Catholic University of America campus where there are multiple cafeteria options. Additionally, there is a convenience store located on the first floor of the Pryzbyla Center, which also houses Murphy’s Grill. The cafeteria at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception is open for breakfast and lunch.

Just one block south of McGivney Hall, there are multiple fast-food and restaurant options along Monroe Street.

Parking permits are available to Institute students for the lot at the Saint John Paul II National Shrine at 3900 Harewood Road, NE. These parking permits are made available to full-time students first and may be obtained free of charge from McGivney Hall, Room 312. The permits allow for parking at the Shrine Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and during some evening and weekend events sponsored by the Institute.

Students may also choose to purchase a parking permit to park on campus at CUA. Students interested in parking on-campus should email [email protected] or visit the Office of Transportation and Parking Services located in Pryzbyla Center 242.

A contract postal station is operated by CUA—identified as Cardinal Station—on the ground floor of McMahon Hall. Hours for Shipping Services are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday (202-319-5225). The Brookland Post Office is also available at 3401 12th Street NE, Washington, D.C. 20017.

By directive of the Board of Education of the District of Columbia, medical insurance is required of all full-time domestic students and of all full-time and part-time international students. Proof of insurance must be submitted to the administrative office at the beginning of the fall semester each year.

Institute students are eligible to enroll in the student health plan offered by The Catholic University of America; they may also be covered by another plan of their own choosing.

A limited number of memberships to the DuFour Athletic Center at The Catholic University of America are made available to Institute students free of charge on a first-come, first-served basis. The DuFour Center includes a swimming pool, weight room, and basketball courts. Beginning at Orientation, interested students may visit McGivney Hall, Office 312 to inquire. Passes will be issued to students until the limit for the current academic year is reached.

The Kane Student Health and Fitness Center provides training space with treadmill machines, spin bikes, and weights. Institute students are eligible for free group fitness classes offered as well as personal training at the Kane Fitness Center by using their CUA email address upon registration and showing their student ID card.

Institute graduates enter a variety of careers involving education and the pastoral care of families. They serve in theological education, research, publication, and teaching positions at seminaries, colleges, and Catholic secondary schools. Others assume leadership positions in parishes and dioceses, as directors of religious education, family life offices, and pro-life offices. Institute graduates also have taken positions in health care, public interest and affairs organizations, and government.

The Institute endeavors to help its students and graduates to find professional options by posting information about job opportunities. In addition, the Institute stays in contact with Institute alumni who may know of positions in their areas of employment. The faculty of the Institute maintains a special interest in the professional development of students attending the Institute, and faculty members are available to provide career guidance. Students are encouraged to seek faculty guidance to develop a well-defined sense of their interests, abilities, and vocation. The jobs taken by Institute graduates reflect not only the diverse interests and backgrounds of those studying at the Institute but also the variety of opportunities open to Institute alumni.

Dedicated to the development of students, the Institute assists students and alumni in their employment search. To this end, the Institute compiles job openings that would be fitting for our graduates.

M.T.S. Career Advising

To assist students in the M.T.S. program preparing for post-graduation employment, the Institute periodically sponsors an event featuring presentations by selected Institute alumni.  In light of the education offered at the Institute, the presenters discuss their professional experiences in their respective fields, interview preparation, and advice for upcoming graduates who may be interested in similar work.

Institute students are issued a CUA email address (ending in @cua.edu) which provides access to email, file storage, and collaboration tools. For questions regarding these services, visit Leahy Hall 117 or the Tech Services website.

Printer and word processing accessibility is available for students in Mullen Library and Leahy Hall 117.

Utilizing the issued CUA email credentials, Institute students can download Microsoft Office software for use on a personal device for free.  This resource, as well as reduced educational pricing on personal technology hardware, can be found on the Technology Services website.