Southern Wesleyan University

Discover Southern Wesleyan University, a private institution with a rich heritage tracing back to its founding in 1906. Rooted in the Wesleyan Methodist tradition, SWU has spent over a century evolving its educational offerings to meet the needs of its students, growing from a humble bible institute to a comprehensive university recognized for its commitment to academic excellence and spiritual growth.

SWU's journey is one of remarkable transformation. Initially opening its doors on October 15, 1906, as the "Wesleyan Methodist Bible Institute," the institution quickly grew and adapted. It adopted several names over the decades, becoming "Wesleyan Methodist College" in 1909 and "Central Wesleyan College" in 1959, before finally embracing its current identity as Southern Wesleyan University in 1994. This history reflects a consistent drive for development and expansion.

Academically, SWU has steadily expanded its reach. Beginning as a junior college with a four-year theological program in 1928, it phased out pre-college programs by 1958 to become a full four-year institution. By 1973, it was accredited to award bachelor's degrees, and today, it holds accreditation to offer associate's, bachelor's, and master's degrees. Demonstrating a forward-thinking approach, SWU pioneered a nontraditional program for working adults in 1986, which has since evolved into robust online programs, making higher education accessible to a diverse student body of 1,175.