Our Notre Dame Connection

We share a long history with our neighbors: the University of Notre Dame and Holy Cross College. In fact, Saint Mary’s students can take part in much of what they offer—from cheering on the Fighting Irish, playing in the marching band, writing for The Observer, taking classes, and attending dances and world-class concerts. Everyone can join in the clubs and organizations offered on each campus.

At Saint Mary's we have a college town like no other.

  • 510 Clubs & Activities 510 Clubs & Activities

    You have access to every club and activity at Notre Dame—even more ways to discover new interests, take on a challenge, or just dig deeper into a hobby. Recreational indoor and outdoor pursuits to visual and performing arts, social issues and service, to culture and identity—there’s a group for everyone.
    510 Clubs & Activities
  • Leave College With Two Degrees Leave College With Two Degrees

    Our flexible and accelerated programs create more options for you. Earn a bachelor’s degree and a Saint Mary’s or Notre Dame master’s degree in five years or less, designed to save you time and money.
    Leave College With Two Degrees
  • Tri-Campus Dining Tri-Campus Dining

    At no additional cost, Saint Mary’s students have the option to eat at any dining hall on all three campuses using their SMC meal plan. This gives you convenient and flexible food options every day of the week.
    Tri-Campus Dining

Beyond Our Campus

Here, you'll experience the best of all worlds—in a college town like no other. Downtown South Bend is just a quick bike ride away and offers a vibrant restaurant and nightlife scene. You'll fall in love with our corner of northern Indiana and its proximity to anything you need. Great shopping, miles of beaches on Lake Michigan, arts, and entertainment. You can even hop in a nearby train for an easy day trip to Chicago.

  • 34mile trail borders campus for running and biking
  • 2.5miles to the downtown South Bend cultural and restaurant scene
  • 100%of Saint Mary's students can take classes at Notre Dame

ND Connection

The Accelerated Bachelor’s to Master’s Programs
Earn a bachelor’s degree while simultaneously taking graduate-level courses. Combine Saint Mary’s programs with Notre Dame programs for a dual degree. Earn a Saint Mary’s or Notre Dame master’s degree in five years or less. We call that a 3+1 or a 4+1, and we designed them to save you time and money. Our flexible and accelerated programs create more options for you. Our nearly 180-year partnership with Notre Dame combines the personal attention of Saint Mary’s with the opportunities of a top research university. Together, we’ll figure out where you want to go, get you there as fast as you’d like, and help you earn some truly impressive credentials. 


Join the Notre Dame Band
Each year, well over 50 Saint Mary's students join the Notre Dame Marching Band. They perform in halftime shows, pep rallies, away games and so much more. For those selected to become members of the oldest university band in continuous existence, all expenses—uniform, travel and lodging—are covered. Auditions are held each fall.  Wondering what is it like to be a Saint Mary's student in the Notre Dame Band? Check out this video.
 

A Tall Connection

The Golden Dome is one of the most visible points of interest on the Notre Dame campus. Atop the Dome sits a 16-foot, 4,400-pound, golden statue of Our Lady. Not many know that this was a gift from the women of Saint Mary’s to the University as a nod to the enduring relationship between the two institutions.

Read Story Here

As a Saint Mary’s student, I knew Notre Dame’s Master of Nonprofit Administration program, paired with Saint Mary’s liberal arts education, was the right place for me to gain the skills I needed to follow my passion in an environment that urges students to put service and integrity at the forefront of business.” 

- Elyse Paul ’20, MNA