Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College

Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College, established in 1840 by Saint Mother Theodore Guerin, stands as a beacon of academic innovation and spiritual foundation in Indiana. Founded by the state's first canonized saint, Mother Theodore arrived from France with five Sisters of Providence to create an academy for young women. Though initially hesitant, her vision blossomed into an institution renowned for uniting "Virtue and Knowledge." The college's rich history is intertwined with the advancement of women's education, and its enduring commitment to accessible learning continues to shape its vibrant community.

The college quickly distinguished itself, earning Indiana's first charter for the higher education of women in 1846 and conferring its first Bachelor of Arts degree in 1899. SMWC consistently pioneered new academic fields for women, being the first to offer journalism, secondary education, home economics, and secretarial science degree work. As opportunities for women expanded, so did the college's curriculum, encompassing modern fields like business, computer information systems, equine studies, psychology, and nursing, all while maintaining its founding principles of comprehensive liberal arts education.

Demonstrating a forward-thinking approach to education, Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College became a national leader in distance learning. In 1973, it launched the Women's External Degree (WED) program, offering crucial flexibility for adult women balancing family and career. This program evolved into "Woods Online," which, since 2005, has expanded to include men and now serves over 800 students from 33 states and internationally. A pivotal moment arrived in 2015 when the college embraced full coeducation for all its campus-based undergraduate programs, reaffirming its commitment to serving diverse learners.

Beyond undergraduate studies, SMWC offers robust graduate programs designed for today's professionals. Its hybrid Master's degrees in Art Therapy (MAAT), Music Therapy (MAMT), and Leadership Development (MLD) integrate distance learning with intensive campus residencies. These programs underscore the college's dedication to specialized, advanced learning, preparing both women and men to excel in their chosen fields, all under the guiding motto of "Virtue and Knowledge United."