
Martin University was founded in Indianapolis in 1977 to expand access to higher education for adults and other students who had been underserved by traditional colleges. Its founders were the Rev. Boniface Hardin, a Benedictine monk, and Sister Jane Schilling.
The university's name honors both Martin Luther King Jr. and St. Martin de Porres. That choice reflects the founders' emphasis on racial inclusion and educational opportunity. Martin developed from a small community-focused institution into a university offering undergraduate and graduate study. Its history helps explain its continuing attention to adult learners and students seeking a less conventional route into college.
Martin University offers a relatively small selection of undergraduate and graduate programs rather than the range of colleges and departments found at a large research university. Program areas represented in federal academic classifications include business administration, psychology, criminal justice, education, liberal arts, religious studies, health-related fields, and computer software applications.
Prospective students should check the current academic catalog for the exact degree title, credential level, course sequence, and delivery format of a program. A subject appearing in historical program reporting does not necessarily mean that a particular degree or concentration is accepting students in the intended term. For fields leading to teacher licensure or another regulated occupation, the relevant question is whether the specific program meets current Indiana licensing requirements.
Martin University is in Indianapolis, Indiana, in an urban setting. Its location makes commuting a practical consideration: students should plan for travel time, parking or transit, and the frequency with which their courses require in-person attendance.
Indianapolis offers access to employers, public agencies, and community organizations that may be relevant to coursework or career exploration, though proximity alone does not establish an internship arrangement. Indianapolis International Airport serves the region; it is more relevant to occasional travel than to everyday campus transportation.
Martin University's stated educational purpose centers on access, inclusion, and learning opportunities for people who have not always been well served by conventional higher education. Its founding story is particularly associated with adult education and racial equity.
The founders' religious backgrounds are part of the university's history, but they should not be mistaken for a student religious requirement. Applicants evaluating the institution's mission in practice may want to examine current course schedules, advising arrangements, and support for returning students rather than rely on a mission statement alone.
Name of the institution
Martin UniversityLevel of institution
Four or more yearsControl of institution
PrivateSetting type
City: LargeInstitutional Category
Degree - granting, primarily baccalaureate or aboveInstitution size category
Under 1,000School type
Comprehensive higher education institutionMain student body
CoeducationalCalendar system
SemestersFoundation year
1977
Bachelor's degree
Postbaccalaureate certificate
Master's degreeData last updated on November 2, 2026
Data sources: IPEDS 2024-25, Peterson 2026, College Scorecard 10/2026, Clery 2024 (2023-24), OpenAlex 2026
Figures on this profile come from federal and third-party datasets in the editions listed above and are refreshed periodically, so they may differ from what the institution currently reports. Confirm costs, deadlines and requirements with the school before making decisions.