Our History
Since 1950, ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ University has empowered generations of learners to break new ground, achieve forward momentum and create lasting impact.
ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½'s Founding
The Sisters of ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ founded ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ as a junior college in Dobbs Ferry, New York in 1950. The institution evolved quickly, becoming a four-year college offering baccalaureate degrees in 1961 and receiving Middle States Association accreditation in 1968.
Image: Original ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ College Campus Tarrytown, New York c.1950s
ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ Expands
In the early 1970s, ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ charted a bold course by declaring itself independent, nonsectarian and coeducational. To meet the needs of its students, new locations and campuses were opened within and beyond Westchester, doubling the college’s physical footprint. It also initiated its first community outreach efforts, including programs for non-traditional students. This growth made higher education accessible to first-generation college students and adult learners through flexible scheduling and convenient locations.
Academic offerings advanced in 1981 when ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ received authorization for its first graduate program in nursing. The institution reached another milestone in 2006 with approval for its first doctoral program in physical therapy. Today, ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ offers over 40 graduate programs, 30 undergraduate programs, and multiple certificate options.
ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ has three campuses that are conveniently located in Westchester, the Bronx and Manhattan to provide diverse and welcoming campus communities for students.
ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ College Becomes ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ University
On August 22, 2023, ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ College officially became ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ University, marking a transformative milestone that reflected decades of academic expansion and institutional advancement. This elevation to university status signaled not just the name change but the culmination of strategic growth across disciplines and a powerful momentum toward the future of higher education. The transition represented ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½â€™s evolution into a comprehensive institution with expanded graduate offerings, increased research opportunities and broader academic impact.
Through 75 years of growth and evolution, ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ University remains steadfast in its mission to make the transformational power of education accessible to all, with an unwavering commitment to quality, student support, affordability and innovation.