Universidad Católica Santa María La Antigua
Panamá, Panama • Founded 1965
Overview
Established in 1965, the Universidad Católica Santa María La Antigua (Santa María La Antigua Catholic University) is a non-profit private higher education institution located in the urban setting of the metropolis of Panama City (population range of 1,000,000-5,000,000 inhabitants), Panama.
This institution also has branch campuses in Chiriquí, Azuero, Colón and Santiago. Officially recognized by the Consejo Nacional de Evaluacion y Acreditacion Universitaria de Panama (National Council of University Assessment and Accreditation of Panama), Universidad Católica Santa María La Antigua (USMA) is a small-sized coeducational Panamanian higher education institution formally affiliated with the Christian-Catholic religion.
Universidad Católica Santa María La Antigua (USMA) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as pre-bachelor's degrees (i.e. certificates, diplomas, associate or foundation), bachelor's degrees, master's degrees and doctorate degrees in several areas of study. This 58-year-old Panamanian higher-education institution has a selective admission policy based on entrance examinations and students' past academic records and grades.
International applicants are eligible to apply for enrollment.
USMA also provides several academic and non-academic facilities and services to students including a library, sports facilities, financial aids and/or scholarships, study abroad and exchange programs, online courses and distance learning opportunities, as well as administrative services.
Location & Contact
Universidad Católica Santa María La Antigua's coordinates, postal address, and the contact channels admissions teams respond on. Campus tour bookings often have their own page distinct from general contact channels.
Academic Details
Institutional vitals for Universidad Católica Santa María La Antigua: how big, how staffed, and how recognised it is. Campus setting (urban, suburban, rural) interacts with these metrics in shaping the daily academic experience.
Academic Structures
To understand where programmes live within Universidad Católica Santa María La Antigua, the academic structure is mapped below. Some institutions run joint faculties with external bodies — credentialing in those cases is shared.
Unit 6 items
- Architecture and Design School
- Business School
- Engineering and Technology School
- Humanities and Theology School
- Law and Political Science School
- Social Sciences School
Degrees
Also Técnico in Religion, Ethics, Hotel and Restaurant, Animal Husbandry, Natural Resources, Labour Law; Profesorado (Teacher Training Degree) in Primary Education, Secondary Education
Doctoral 1 program
Doctoral programmes train independent researchers, leading to academic, scientific, and senior advisory careers.
- Clinical Psychology
Other 59 programs
- Accountancy
- Actuarial Science
- Agricultural Business
- Agricultural Management
- Animal Husbandry
- Architectural Restoration
- Architecture
- Banking
- Biotechnology
- Business Administration
- Civil Engineering
- Clinical Psychology
- Commercial Law
- Communication Studies
- Computer Engineering
- Criminal Law
- Display and Stage Design
- Educational Administration
- Electronic Engineering
- Engineering
- Engineering Management
- Environmental Management
- Ethics
- Family Studies
- Fashion Design
- Finance
- Graphic Design
- Higher Education Teacher Training
- Hotel and Restaurant
- Human Resources
- Industrial Engineering
- Industrial and Organizational Psychology
- Insurance
- Interior Design
- International Business
- Journalism
- Labour Law
- Law
- Leadership
- Management
- Marine Transport
- Maritime Law
- Marketing
- Mass Communication
- Natural Resources
- Political Sciences
- Psychology
- Public Administration
- Regional Planning
- Rehabilitation and Therapy
- Religion
- Safety Engineering
- Social Problems
- Structural Architecture
- Theology
- Tourism
- Town Planning
- Transport Management
- Water Management
Faculties & Divisions
All faculties operate under Consejo Nacional de Evaluacion y Acreditacion Universitaria de Panama.
Architecture and Design (Faculty) 5 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Fashion Design
- Graphic Design
- Interior Design
- Marketing
- Structural Architecture
Common Career Paths
- Architect
- Urban Planner
- Interior Designer
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Business Administration (Faculty) 8 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Accountancy
- Banking
- Business Administration
- Finance
- International Business
- Marketing
- Tourism
- Transport Management
Common Career Paths
- Business Analyst
- Operations Manager
- Strategy Consultant
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Engineering and Technology (Faculty) 5 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Civil Engineering
- Computer Engineering
- Electronic Engineering
- Industrial Engineering
- Telecommunications Engineering
Common Career Paths
- Engineer
- Project Manager
- Technical Consultant
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Humanities and Religious Sciences (Faculty) 2 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Arts and Humanities
- Religious Studies
Common Career Paths
- Research Scientist
- Lab Technician
- Analyst
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Law and Political Sciences (Faculty) 2 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Law
- Political Sciences
Common Career Paths
- Lawyer
- Legal Consultant
- Compliance Officer
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Social Sciences (Faculty) 3 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Mass Communication
- Psychology
- Social Sciences
Common Career Paths
- Researcher
- Policy Analyst
- Social Worker
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
How to apply to Universidad Católica Santa María La Antigua
How to apply to Universidad Católica Santa María La Antigua — a five-step structure with notes on documents, channels, and timing for each phase.
- 1 Find a programme that fits your goals
Look through the programmes section to see what Universidad Católica Santa María La Antigua offers. Identify your target qualification level and subject area before continuing with the application process.
- 2 Confirm you meet the requirements
Entry requirements vary by programme and degree level. Verify academic minimums, language tests (if international), and any additional documents required for Universidad Católica Santa María La Antigua's admissions process.
- 3 Assemble your application package
Typical documents include academic transcripts, identity proof (passport or national ID), language proficiency test scores, a personal statement or motivation letter, and recommendation letters. International applicants should account for translation and notarisation time.
- 4 Submit your application
Submit your completed application through Universidad Católica Santa María La Antigua's official website at www.usma.ac.pa. Most institutions use an online portal — register an account, complete the application form, and upload your prepared documents. Keep copies of all submissions and confirmation receipts.
- 5 Contact admissions and follow up
Follow up to confirm your application was received and is being processed. You can reach the institution by email at [email protected] or by phone at +507 230 8200. Admissions teams may request interviews or additional documents — respond promptly to keep your application active.
Frequently Asked Questions about Universidad Católica Santa María La Antigua
Common questions about Universidad Católica Santa María La Antigua answered concisely, with each answer grounded in the institution's published data.
How old is Universidad Católica Santa María La Antigua?
The institution opened in 1965 (approximately 61 years ago).
Where can I find Universidad Católica Santa María La Antigua?
The institution is located in Panamá, Panama.
What is Universidad Católica Santa María La Antigua's control type?
Universidad Católica Santa María La Antigua is a private institution.
How many students does Universidad Católica Santa María La Antigua have?
The institution has a student body of 4,000-4,999.
What degrees does Universidad Católica Santa María La Antigua offer?
Universidad Católica Santa María La Antigua offers doctoral programmes.
What is Universidad Católica Santa María La Antigua's religious tradition?
Universidad Católica Santa María La Antigua is associated with Christian-Catholic.
How is Universidad Católica Santa María La Antigua organised academically?
The institution comprises 6 academic units.
Is Universidad Católica Santa María La Antigua officially recognised?
Universidad Católica Santa María La Antigua is accredited by Consejo Nacional de Evaluación y Acreditación Universitaria de Panamá (CONEAUPA).
What is Universidad Católica Santa María La Antigua's official website?
The institution's website is www.usma.ac.pa.
Top-Ranked Universities in Panama
Top Panama universities often run international branch campuses. Universidad Católica Santa María La Antigua's international footprint compared to this benchmark signals global engagement scale.
Members of unión de universidades de américa latina y el caribe (udual)
Other unión de universidades de américa latina y el caribe (udual) members offer mobility and exchange compatibility with Universidad Católica Santa María La Antigua. Exchange compatibility is one of the more practical benefits of shared network membership.
Other Panamanian Universities Affiliated with Christian-Catholic
Interfaith dialogue programmes exist at many Christian-Catholic universities and signal openness alongside tradition. The peers below often run such programmes at varying levels of depth.
Faculties at Nearby Universities
Within easy reach of Universidad Católica Santa María La Antigua, these institutions host comparable faculties and admissions structures — useful for regional shortlisting. Regional universities often coordinate on credit transfer and joint programme delivery.
Universities Often Compared with Universidad Católica Santa María La Antigua
Peer universities to Universidad Católica Santa María La Antigua by academic scale and prestige are listed below. These often share comparable faculty depth, research output, and graduate outcomes, making the comparison more meaningful than ranking alone.
