Ave Maria University is a new private university with a Roman Catholic character and liturgical tradition in southwest Florida, founded in 2003 by Tom Monaghan.The University offers undergraduate and graduate degrees. Graduate programs include MA and PhD studies in Theology and a Master of Theological Studies. The undergraduate degrees are offered in the fields of Biology, Classics and Early Christian Literature, Economics, History, Literature, Mathematics, Music with a concentration in Sacred Music, Philosophy, Politics and Theology.