Saint Louis University is a Jesuit, Catholic university ranked among the top research institutions in the nation. The University fosters the intellectual and character development of more than 13,000 students. Founded in 1818, it is the oldest university west of the Mississippi and the second oldest Jesuit university in the United States. Through teaching, research, health care and community service, Saint Louis University has provided one-of-a-kind education, leadership and service for 191 years.
Several colleges and schools make up the University campus. The Madrid campus was established in 1967. The first freestanding campus operated by an American University in Europe, this campus is recognized by Spain's higher education authority as an official foreign university, the first U.S. institution to hold this endorsement.
Enrollment in the M.A. Program in Madrid is limited to 20.
Facilities: The Saint Louis University campus is an architecturally rich urban campus centrally located in St. Louis, Missouri. The combined holdings of its libraries total over 1.4 million volumes, 12,800 serial subscriptions, 1.1 million microfilms, and over 200,000 government documents. Its Madrid campus, located in the city’s university quadrant, is comprised of modern classroom buildings with state-of-the-art computer labs that link directly to all library databases in St. Louis. The resources of the Madrid Campus Library are bilingual in nature and designed primarily to meet the needs of the students studying at this campus. The 9,000 books and 60 journals that compose its collection respond to specific bibliographies that supplement courses offered.
Furthermore, the Madrid Campus Library offers students and faculty members access to all electronic resources available at the University’s main campus in St. Louis, Missouri, via the SLU proxy server and to other electronic research aids via the Pius XII library in St. Louis, Missouri.
Library Facilities
The Madrid Campus Library is located on Avenida del Valle, 30, between our administration and classroom buildings. Its resources are bilingual in nature and designed primarily to meet the needs of the students studying at this campus. The 9,000 books and 60 journals that comprise its collection respond to specific bibliographies that supplement courses offered. Furthermore, the Madrid Campus Library offers students and faculty access to all electronic resources available at the University’s main campus in St. Louis, Missouri via the SLU Proxy Server and to other electronic research aids via the Library Webpage: http://spain.slu.edu (select “Student Resources,” then “Library”). All students will need to have a SLU- Madrid graduate student ID card in order to use the facilities and services of our library. In order to obtain this card, take a passport-sized photograph to the Office of Student Life (Avda. del Valle, 28).
Students are provided with letters of introduction, which grant them reading privileges at nearly all libraries in Madrid and Europe, including Spain’s National Library (Biblioteca Nacional), the country’s foremost research library, the Center of North American Studies Library, the British Studies Information Center, and the British Council Library. A directory of all libraries in Madrid is available from the reference desk at the Saint Louis University Madrid Campus Library. Interlibrary loan facilities are also available, with exceptionally fast access to current periodicals via the British Library (UK) Document Supply Service as well as several Spanish research libraries.
For further information about library services and privileges, contact Juliet Arata, Madrid Campus Librarian (jaratahe@slu.edu).
Book Service
The SLU Madrid Bookstore stocks all required texts for the seminars offered and is located in the basement of Padre Rubio Hall (Avenida del Valle, 28).
Computer Services
Students have access to full-service multimedia labs, with printing facilities (30 pages per week), in four separate computer labs (three located in Padre Arrupe Hall; one, in Padre Rubio Hall). All computers have internet access. We have a guaranteed band pass of 4 Mbps. Student monitors are available in the lab to help students with any computer-related problems. Specialized classes have access to sophisticated graphic design software.
The computer network provides access to word-processing programs (Microsoft Word), data-base programs (Microsoft Access), spreadsheet programs (Excel), desktop-publishing programs (Powerpoint), graphic manipulation (Photoshop), and other specialized programs used in more advanced computer classes.
Students can also access on-line databases and e-mail via the Internet. We assign computer accounts to all new students at the beginning of each semester. For additional information about SLU Madrid’s computer services, send an e-mail to support-madrid@slu.edu.
Student Activities
MA students are welcome to participate in all activities sponsored by the SLU Madrid Campus, including athletics, trips, volunteer activities, publications, and cultural events, and by the English Department of the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid. In addition to frequent guest lectures by distinguished scholars and writers, SLU Madrid Campus sponsors a variety of cultural activities of particular interest to graduate students in literature, including The Writers’ Circle and the Film Club. Students are reminded that the payment of fees for excursions is due at the beginning of the undergraduate semester (September for Fall term; January for Spring term). For more information, contact Ariadne Ferro at the Office of Student Life or e-mail studentlife-madrid@slu.edu.
Student Residency Cards
Non-EU students will be required to obtain a student visa and eventually a student residency card for Spain. For information about this procedure, please write graduate_admissions@slu.edu.
Student IDs
Students should send four passport-sized photographs with their confirmation materials: these photographs will be used to make their Saint Louis University Identification Cards, which are required for using each university’s facilities. Students must present a valid student ID to gain access to campus facilities.
Fax and Mail Services
The bookstore also provides students with mail services. Fax service is available in the Office of Student Life for a nominal fee.
Photocopy and Printing Services
The photocopy room is located in the basement of Padre Rubio Hall; students have access to this service. Students can purchase a photocopy card from the business office that will allow access to photocopying machines outside the SLU Madrid Library (minimum purchase 10 euros). For printing from computers, students are given a print quota of 30 pages per week. The total accumulates rather than resets. Students may purchase additional pages (5 euros – 50 pages). See http://itweb.madrid.slu.edu/itfaq.php for additional information.
In keeping with its mission as a Jesuit institution, Saint Louis University has a commitment to the spiritual and intellectual ideals of the Catholic Church and of the Society of Jesus. Jesuit Father James O'Leary promotes the religious life of the University by providing regular religious services and counseling, coordinating volunteer community service projects, and organizing denominational and interfaith retreats.
The counseling services offered at Saint Louis University in Madrid are aimed at helping students enhance their academic and personal well-being. Students are provided with the opportunity to explore concerns within the context of a confidential relationship and are supported with resources to make positive changes.
Student Health
All registered students taking classes for credit are automatically covered by a Sanitas medical insurance policy. Students whose registration consists solely of a 0-credit course have the option to purchase (at 35€ per calendar month) Sanitas coverage through the University. To do so, 0-credit students may contact the Office of Finance at finance-madrid@slu.edu
Housing
We assume most MA students prefer an independent lifestyle and will want to find their own housing. To avoid scams, the University recommends that students work with a company called Madrid Easy (www.madrideasy.com). Please note, to secure an apartment, you should be prepared to pay at least a security deposit equivalent to one month’s rent and the first month upon signing your contract.
Students wishing to experience Spanish culture to the fullest may choose to live with a Spanish host family. For more information about this option, contact housing-madrid@slu.edu.
