Thomas Aquinas College, California Thomas Aquinas College Fides Quaerens Intellectum T homas Aquinas College An Introduction
At Thomas Aquinas College, there are no majors or minors, no textbooks or classroom lectures. So how do we learn? Through careful reading and rigorous discussion of the Great Books, our students engage firsthand with the greatest scientific and mathematical discoveries, the most moving poetry and prose, the deepest political and spiritual insights, and the most profound works of philosophy and theology. Choosing Thomas Aquinas College means choosing an educational program like no other.
A Liberating Education Throughout the course of their studies at Thomas Aquinas College, students read, analyze, and grapple with the greatest works of Western civilization, both ancient and modern. Every student directly encounters thinkers such as Plato, Einstein, Shakespeare, Aristotle, Galileo, St. Augustine, Freud, Austen, Locke, and St. Thomas Aquinas in a single, integrated curriculum. While these authors have thought deeply about the great questions, some of them are partly — or even seriously — in error. Many of them offer contradictory answers to the most fundamental questions. A student left alone to decipher these persuasive works could end up doubting the possibility of discovering the truth at all. But illumined by the wisdom of the Church, our students have a sure guide along the path to truth. Faith Seeking Understanding Christ tells us that He is “The Way, the Truth, and the Life,” and assures us that the truth will set us free; for only in light of the truth can we judge what is good, and direct our desires and activities accordingly. For this reason Thomas Aquinas College holds that a Catholic college fulfills its essential purpose when it helps to order the minds and hearts of its students to truth. The College’s program of traditional liberal education is designed to help students develop the habits of reasoning and judgment by which they may clearly direct their path toward knowledge of things both human and divine. In particular, we look to St. Thomas Aquinas, the Universal Doctor of the Church, whose extensive writings testify to the natural harmony between faith and reason. “ Saint Thomas Aquinas is an authentic model for all who seek the truth. In his thinking, the demands of reason and the power of faith found the most elevated synthesis ever attained by human thought.” Pope St. John Paul II
A Lecture-Free Pursuit of Truth In place of classroom lectures, students at Thomas Aquinas College meet in small seminars of 14-18 students, where they seek answers to the questions raised by the authors of the Great Books. Everything from the smallest details of nature (such as the geometric structure of a beehive) to the most profound and universal considerations (e.g., the influence of virtue on human happiness) is matter for discussion. And discussion, because it is an activity, engages the student’s mind far more than do lectures. At best one might remember certain ideas from a lecture, whereas in a seminar discussion ideas are proposed, challenged, and defended until, through productive argumentation, the students discern the meaning of a given text and its veracity or error. The truth is found by way of the conversation. Over their four years, students develop the intellectual habits of inquiry, argument, and translation — in critically reading and analyzing texts, in mathematical demonstration, and in laboratory investigation. And having thought — and fought — their way through the foundational questions, they make the truth their own. “ Part of learning about the world is learning how others see it. Your individual perspective is often not as full as it could be. The person sitting next to you might have an interesting insight, but you will never know unless you ask them.” Anna Rivera (’24) Kendall Park, New Jersey
Guided in Discussion At Thomas Aquinas College, members of the teaching faculty, known here as tutors, do not profess, lecture, or impart their own learning. Rather, they guide classroom conversations so that students can come to knowledge for themselves. Focused solely on leading students and learning along with them, the tutors take a personal interest in seeing their students advance in intellectual and moral virtue. “The real teachers ... are the authors of the Great Books” The tutors have advanced degrees in a wide range of disciplines — biology, literature, philosophy, and theology, among others. More importantly, they are themselves competent in all of the liberal arts and are able to teach across the disciplines. The real teachers in the classroom are the authors of the Great Books, before whom both student and tutor stand in a partnership of learning. The ideas contained in the Great Books are inexhaustible; a person hungry for wisdom can go back to them again and again, each time gaining new insights. “ Tutors guide a section on the right path toward a sharper understanding of the texts, but in the end both the tutors and the students are learning from the authors of the Great Books themselves. The shared experience of the curriculum allows for a depth of conversation and a community of learning, which is unlike any other.” John Esser (’23) Chino Hills, California
A Catholic Life By reading and discussing both Sacred Scripture and the works of some of the Church’s greatest theologians — St. Augustine, St. Thomas Aquinas, St. John Henry Newman, Pope St. John Paul II — students deepen their understanding and love for the central mysteries of the Catholic faith. With the graces of the sacraments, the truths that students learn in the classroom take root in their souls. Thomas Aquinas College strives to foster a community which aspires to holiness in all things. Full-time chaplains reside on campus, offering Mass and Eucharistic Adoration daily. They also hear confessions before and after each Mass, and they are available for spiritual direction throughout the week. These devotions and others, though not mandatory, are nevertheless very well attended by the students. Beyond the Chapel walls, students seek to answer the universal call to holiness in their everyday lives, whether they are in the classroom, on the athletic field, in the residence halls, or serving the broader community. On campus, there are food drives, blood drives, and charitable fundraisers each year. Students regularly go off campus to teach catechism classes, assist in community-service events, and attend yearly pro-life marches. In addition, each year Thomas Aquinas College hosts representatives of religious orders and dioceses to offer reflections, lead retreats, and encourage vocations. This yearning to serve both Church and society continues after graduation. Since Thomas Aquinas College’s inception, a steady 10 percent of alumni have pursued vocations to the priesthood or the religious life. Likewise, many alumni marry and raise strong Catholic families which serve as beacons of hope to their communities. “ Thomas Aquinas College’s abundant opportunities for spiritual growth truly unite the campus community by directing our daily lives toward God, both in the classroom and out of it.” Richard Goforth (’26) Boerne, Texas
California At the California campus, students live in one of six single-sex residential halls. Described by Th e Princeton Review as “dorms like palaces,” the residence halls are designed with beauty, contemplation, and community in mind. Each off ers lounges, study areas, free laundry facilities, and exercise rooms, as well as a courtyard, which serves both as a social venue and an outdoor study space. Th e majestic Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity Chapel sits at the head of the academic quadrangle. With its dome, signifying the College’s fi delity to Rome, and its bell tower, evocative of the Spanish missions, the Chapel draws upon the Church’s rich tradition of sacred architecture to refl ect the beauty, grandeur, and permanence of the Catholic faith. One Program... Thomas Aquinas College gives students the opportunity to choose between two locations to pursue its one, unique program of Catholic liberal education — California or New England.
“ One of the things that has most enriched my time here is that everyone in my class studies the same things simultaneously. Even though I don’t have classes with all of my classmates, I can still have meaningful and deep conversations with anyone about what we are reading.” Claire Thomas (’24) Portland, Texas Th e California campus is located in the foothills of the Topatopa mountain range, within a short drive of Ventura’s beaches; the Gett y Center, Griffi th Observatory, and Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles; historic Santa Barbara; the scenic Ojai Valley; and the Rose Bowl and art museums of Pasadena. As the students live, learn, and pray together, they carry on the great discussions that are the lifeblood of the College’s academic program and its vibrant community.
...Two Coasts
New England From its very beginnings, the founders of Th omas Aquinas College intended to form a close-knit community of learners, intentionally limiting the total number of students on campus. Aft er reaching full enrollment in California some years ago, the College has had to turn away increasing numbers of applicants each year. With the addition of the New England campus in 2019, Th omas Aquinas College is now able to accommodate all who desire to participate in its unique program of Catholic liberal education. Nestled in the Connecticut River Valley 90 miles west of Boston, the New England campus off ers students a classic collegiate sett ing. Th e expansive grounds, fi rst established as a Protestant seminary for girls in 1879, boasts four magnifi cent seasons, red-brick colonial buildings, and a location rich in American history. At the New England campus, students live in single-sex residential halls which feature lounges, free laundry facilities, and shared kitchen spaces. Th e newly restored gymnasium includes a swimming pool, basketball courts, and a dance studio, as well as workout facilities and equipment. Students at the New England campus enjoy easy access to the Connecticut River for kayaking and canoeing, plus close proximity to Mt. Monadnock, famously featured in the writings of Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Th oreau. Th e campus is also within driving distance of the Boston Symphony Orchestra at Tanglewood Music Center and, of course, historic Boston and all of its sights. While each campus has its own distinct features, both have the same mission of Catholic liberal education, employing the same curriculum and pedagogy, and sharing the same noble pursuit, expressed by the College’s mott o, Fides Quaerens Intellectum, Faith Seeking Understanding. In order to receive the full extent of religious-liberty protections under Massachusett s law, the College may admit only Catholic students to the New England campus. Religious devotions, however, are voluntary. Th e California campus remains open to students of all faiths.
What can you do with a liberal education? Students at Th omas Aquinas College cultivate habits of reasoning which allow them to make critical judgments in any discipline. Th rough daily practice of the Discussion Method, they learn to articulate their thoughts coherently, to listen well, and to work collaboratively with their peers. Th ese habits, strengthened across the academic disciplines, are sought aft er by employers, as they enable graduates to earn their way into leadership roles in all walks of life. Graduates of Th omas Aquinas College are engaged in diverse occupations and vocations, entering fi elds such as education, law, medicine and nursing, architecture, engineering, soft - ware development, music, business, and the priesthood and religious life. While the College equips its students to be productive members of society, the ultimate goal of liberal education is more fundamental and enduring: the perfection of each student’s intelligence through the study of nature, man, and God. In an intellectual and moral atmosphere informed by the Catholic faith, students develop a holistic understanding of the reality at the core of human experience — a reality which, regardless of time or place, remains unchanged.
“ The College’s academic program is excellent preparation for architecture because of its analytical approach to geometry and logic, as well as its willingness to study and understand the past as a way of building for the future.” Anthony Grumbine, AIA (’00) Principal, Harrison Design “ The diverse and in-depth education I received at Thomas Aquinas College was extremely valuable, fi rst and foremost, for my soul; but it also proved to be more benefi cial for my vocation as a physician than all the ‘hard sciences’ combined, perfectly blending the practical with the philosophical, and allowing me to see Christ in all whom I treat.” Caroline Johnson, M.D. (’97) Transplant Nephrologist Baylor Scott & White Health “ I have spent the last three years helping to lead the conversation about what is going on in AI [artifi cial intelligence], especially on ethics and bigger-picture ideas. We need people like my fellow TAC graduates, who are well formed in philosophy, math, logic, and music, and all of the courses in the broad education at the College. They are absolutely fundamental.” Jane Nemcova (’98) Chief Operating Offi cer of Veuu, Inc. “ The College off ers one of the fi nest educations in all of academia, and from it I acquired six traits essential for the practice of law: integrity, good listening, problem-solving, good judgment, eff ective advocacy, and resilience.” Andrew Emrich (’93) Holland & Hart LLP Partner “ The format of the TAC education deeply infl uenced my ability to play multiple roles as a husband, father, service-member, and Catholic, and to balance those roles in a stressful environment. That way I can maintain a healthy balance in what can otherwise become a completely engrossing lifestyle.” Major Louis Conklin (’11) F-15E Pilot, United States Air Force
Beyond the Classroom While the classroom is the heart of the College, much of what defines Thomas Aquinas College happens outside the classroom. Lively intramural sports thrive on both campuses — volleyball, basketball, soccer, and football, to name a few. Many students also enjoy running, hiking, and camping, whether in the Los Padres National Forest surrounding the California campus or the Connecticut River Valley in New England. Students have numerous opportunities to share their musical talents in choirs and small orchestral groups which perform for formal and “ It is beautiful to see the students rejoicing in one another’s different talents as shown in the various extracurricular activities. The sports and other events really help us grow closer to God and to one another.” Isaac Osborne (’24) Huntington Beach, California
informal events on campus. From sacred choirs, to classical concerts, to open-mic nights, there is truly something for everyone. Dancing is a pastime enjoyed by many at Thomas Aquinas College. Each year, four formal dances are held, and there are informal dances throughout the year, as well. Students can learn anything from swing to salsa, waltz to foxtrot, during their four years at the College. Those with a flair for the dramatic take part in student-produced plays and performances each year. Past productions have ranged from Gilbert & Sullivan musicals to Greek tragedies and Shakespearean comedies. The College’s integrated curriculum and community life provide an opportunity for students to develop deep friendships that enrich their lives long after graduation.
High School Great Books Program at Thomas Aquinas College For two weeks each summer, students from around the country and abroad delight in spirited conversation, engaging fi rsthand with some of the best works of the past 2,500 years. Th ey read and discuss texts selected from the masters of the Western intellectual tradition, including Plato, Euclid, Pascal, William Shakespeare, and St. Th omas Aquinas. Whether on the East Coast or West, the Th omas Aquinas College Summer Program is a time for enjoying the give and take of rational argument, for forming new friendships, and for pursuing the True, the Good, and the Beautiful. Th ough the California and New England programs feature att ractions and outings specifi c to their locales, both give participants a taste of the College’s unique program of Catholic liberal education. Th e High School Great Books Program at Th omas Aquinas College encourages wonder and leads participants toward wisdom.
Experience a slice of life at TAC. In addition to daily sports and hikes, open-mic nights, and a small theatrical production, the program includes excursions to local att ractions. In California, students tour the Gett y Museum, enjoy a concert at the Hollywood Bowl, relax at a local beach, and spend an evening in beautiful Santa Barbara. Students in New England explore historic Boston and the Freedom Trail, take a kayak trip on the Connecticut River, and enjoy a concert. Who? Th e High School Great Books Program is open to rising high school seniors. Why? To ask the big questions and explore the answers, forging new friendships to last a lifetime. How much? Tuition is $975 and includes housing, meals, books, and organized off -campus activities. How do I apply? Head to thomasaquinas.edu/summerprogram to fi ll out an application today! “ The Summer Program was a highly formative experience for me. Not only did it provide me with lifelong friendships, a proper introduction to the Socratic (or discussion) method, and an opportunity to grow in my faith, but it also provided me with a new perspective when applying to colleges.” Georgiana Egan (’24) New York, New York
Liberate Your Future: Exceptional Financial Aid Committed, since its founding, to never turning away qualified students on the basis of financial need, Thomas Aquinas College offers a robust financial aid program. An average of 70 percent of TAC students receive need-based aid each year. Thanks to the generosity of its benefactors, the College is able to offer one of the lowest tuition and room & board rates of any liberal arts college. In 2019 TAC ranked first in the country on Kiplinger’s list of Best College Values. The College also makes every effort to ensure its graduates are free to pursue their careers and vocations by not burdening them with unwieldy debt upon graduation. It, therefore, asks students to take no more than $19,000 in student loans over four years — significantly less than the national average student-loan debt of $35,000 in 2022. Financial aid packages vary, but the first component in nearly all packages is a Service Scholarship job, whereby students work 13 hours per week on campus during the academic year. The Service Scholarship Program provides students with a unique opportunity to care for the campus and carry out essential tasks that support the community. For more information, including a financial aid calculator, please visit thomasaquinas.edu/financialaid.
Begin Your Application Today! If you can picture yourself debating how the structure of the beehive can help prove the existence of God, or whether civil laws ought to lead one to virtue, Thomas Aquinas College may be just the place for you! It is never too early for high school seniors to begin an application. There is no application fee, and the College accepts applications on a rolling basis. The Admissions Committee typically acts upon completed applications within two to four weeks. After the incoming freshman class has been filled, all other accepted students are placed on a waitlist. To apply, head to thomasaquinas.edu/admissions or give us a call at 805–525–4417. Thomas Aquinas College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age in its programs and activities. “ At Thomas Aquinas College we learned from experience that it is possible to think in a disciplined way about questions that matter. We came to believe in the truth and also in ourselves. It’s a gift for which I’m grateful every day.” Sean Kelsey (’92) Rev. John A. O’Brien Professor of Philosophy, University of Notre Dame
Thomas Aquinas College, New England
Rankings & Reviews • #1 Best Value for all private and public colleges and universities and only Catholic School named to the Top 20. — Kiplinger, 2019 • “Impressive intellectual rigor” and “orthodox Catholicism” — Newman Guide • Top Rankings for “Happiest Students,” “Great Financial Aid,” and “Most Beautiful Campus” — Th e Princeton Review, 2023 Quick Facts Th omas Aquinas College is a private, coeducational, liberal arts college with Roman Catholic religious affi liation and lay administration. • Th e College was founded in 1971 in Calabasas, California, and relocated to its permanent home in Santa Paula, California, in 1978. • A second campus opened in 2019 in Northfi eld, Massachusett s. Degree Awarded • Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Liberal Arts • 146 credit hours over 4 years • Equivalent to a double major in philosophy & theology and a minor in mathematics Financial Aid • Meets 100% of demonstrated fi nancial need • Institutional need-based aid awarded to 71% of students • Most students graduate with $19,000 or less in student loan debt Standardized Tests • Average SAT Math: 614 • Average SAT EBRW: 643 • Average ACT Composite: 28 • Average CLT Composite: 87 Tuition, Room & Board (2023–2024) • Tuition: $28,700 • Room & Board: $10,700 • No additional fees or costs All books are included in tuition
Thomas Aquinas College, New England Thomas Aquinas College 10,000 Ojai Road Santa Paula, CA 93060 805-525-4417 231 Main Street Northfield, MA 01360 413-846-1200 thomasaquinas.edu/welcome