Founded in 1842 by Rev. Edward F.Sorin, Notre Dame is an independent, national Catholic University. With 1,250 acres containing two lakes and 138 buildings with a total property replacement value of $2.8 billion, Notre Dame is well known for the quality of its physical plant and the beauty of its campus. With about over fifty undergraduate programs, and more then fifty graduate and professional programs, Notre Dame is one of the leading American research universities that offers undergraduate, professional, and graduate students a unique academic environment. Unlike some universities, The University of Notre Dame offers post-baccalaureate degrees in four divisions and the Alliance for Catholic Education (ACE). However, Advanced degrees in law and business are administered separately by the School of Architecture, Law School and Mendoza College of Business, respectively. Being that Notre Dame is a Catholic university, you would think that they only accept student that are Catholic? But that is not the case. As a matter of fact, they welcome and support students of all faiths, of no particular religious affiliation, or of no faith at all. Because according to them, diverse perspectives on religion and ethics are presented and discussed openly here, and freedom of academic inquiry is prized.