Canisius advocates the ideal of academic excellence combined with a sense of responsibility to use one's gifts for the service of others and the benefit of society. It seeks to promote the intellectual and ethical life of its students, helping to prepare them for productive careers as well as for meaningful personal lives and positive contributions to human progress. Inspires students to develop and strengthen their moral reasoning skills The Canisius College core curriculum reveals a deep commitment to developing and reinforcing students' moral reasoning skills. Philosophy and religion requirements help students understand, express, and evaluate the values, principles, and assumptions on which major individual and social decisions are based, as well as present the opportunity for an ecumenical approach to religious thought and doctrine. Staff moderators direct students' work and decision making in the production of campus media, including the student newspaper, radio and television programming, and theater events.
Moderators also support the activities of student clubs and organizations.
The college maintains a high standard of behavior for Canisius faculty. Finally, the Jesuit presence on campus is in itself a daily reminder of the values represented by the order and its founders. A Mass of the Holy Spirit initiates the academic year and offers students spiritual support and inspiration in their scholarly pursuits. The Campus Ministry Office sponsors religious services and activities in which students can worship, become involved in volunteer work, or learn more about social justice issues. Religious services, including a Sunday evening Mass, are scheduled regularly in the college's Christ the King Chapel.