Free Tuition
100% tuition scholarship for new students!

We are thrilled to present a limited-time offer for new MAFC students admitted for Fall 2023! To take advantage of this offer, apply to Graduate Admissions using the Apply button above.

Our mission

The Nesti Center for Faith & Culture provides education and formation to help people examine, discern, and live out the relationship between the Gospel’s universal call to love and the worldview and values of the dominant American culture.

Our vision

Founded by Fr. Donald Nesti CSSp in 1994, the Nesti Center for Faith & Culture aims to bring a faithfully Catholic voice to the ongoing dialogue between faith and culture. Through this dialogue, the Center seeks to foster relationships, mutual understanding, and opportunities for collaboration with people of all backgrounds and beliefs. We strive to form people of faith who have fully integrated the human, spiritual, social and intellectual dimensions of their lives. This developmental process integrates theoretical and practical learning to help people communicate God’s unconditional love for the world and serve the common good.

As a recognized Catholic Cultural Center of the Vatican’s Dicastery for Culture and Education, the NCFC offers academic programs, learning opportunities, and ecumenical, interreligious, diocesan and community partnerships. Participants in the NCFC programs address America’s complex social, political, and religious questions through reflection, dialogue, scholarship, and civic experience.

Our Beliefs & Values

 

The Donald S. Nesti, CSSp Center for Faith & Culture will celebrate its 30-year anniversary in 2024. Filmed in 2019, this video gives an excellent introduction to the NCFC's founding charism and ongoing mission.

The Master of Arts in Faith and Culture. As part of our graduate program, lay students are equipped with the wisdom of the Catholic theological, moral, social, and spiritual traditions. These tools allow them to go out into American culture and leaven it with the Good News.

learn more about the Masters of arts in Faith and Culture

The Graduate Certificate in Faith and Culture is rooted in the same course offerings as the M.A. in Faith and Culture degree program. It can be completed with half the credit hours and allows you to enrich your academic or professional career while earning a recognized credential.

learn more about the Graduate Certificate in Faith and Culture

Auditing a single course is a great way to explore our program! Many NFCF graduate courses are accessible via Zoom and are available to audit for $300 each ($150 for seniors 55+). Audit students have access to classes and course materials but are not eligible to receive academic credit or graded feedback.

learn more

Faithful Citizen Named

The NCFC has chosen Mary Frances Fabrizio as our honoree for the 13th Annual Faithful Citizenship Dinner, scheduled for Oct. 12, 2023.

2023
Dinner

Our 13th Faithful Citizenship Dinner will take place on Thursday, October 12 at the River Oaks Country Club. Tickets can be purchased online.

Previous
FCD Honorees

Since 2011, the Nesti Center has celebrated the dedication of numerous faithful Houstonians at our Faithful Citizenship Dinner.

Student Testimonies

"The person I am now is not the person I was when I started the program."

–Kathia, MAFC Alumna


"As a devout Catholic, I know we cannot compromise on the Truth However, the importance of communicating the truth with love is what the MAFC has helped me learn. I try to articulate the Gospel with others more charitably now, and not even so much with my words, but with my actions."

–Basil, MAFC student


“Our American culture of individualism and the 'self-made man' is countered by the Gospel way—the absolute truth of each person, made in God’s image, created in love, for love."

–Theresa, MAFC Alumna  


"I would recommend this program because it is full of rich academic content, presented by engaging instructors. It illuminates the beauty of our Catholic faith journey while challenging us to go deeper. And it exemplifies the joy of accompanying each other in community."

–Anne, MAFC student


"Thanks to the Faith & Culture program, I rediscovered the joy of believing. I rediscovered the beauty of following Jesus in our world today."

–Ana, MAFC Alumna

Student Testimonies

Requirements Disclaimer:
International students who wish to maintain or obtain an I-20 form and F-1 student visa or status should participate in the in-person program option.