Saint Mary's University of Minnesota

What is the history of Saint Mary's University of Minnesota?

Saint Mary's University of Minnesota began in Winona in 1912 as Saint Mary's College, a Catholic institution founded by Bishop Patrick R. Heffron. The De La Salle Christian Brothers assumed its administration in 1933, establishing the Lasallian identity that continues to shape the university.

The college became coeducational in 1969 and adopted the Saint Mary's University of Minnesota name in 1995. Its development beyond a residential undergraduate college included graduate and professional education for working adults. Today, applicants should distinguish the traditional undergraduate experience in Winona from graduate, professional, and online programs, whose locations and schedules may differ.

What are the faculties and departments at Saint Mary's University of Minnesota?

Saint Mary's offers undergraduate liberal arts and professional programs alongside graduate and professional study. Undergraduates considering Winona can explore fields such as biology, business, education, psychology, and the arts; graduate offerings include areas such as business, education, health, and human services.

The distinction between undergraduate and graduate programs matters when comparing Saint Mary's offerings. A program listed by the university may be delivered online or at a location other than Winona, and an undergraduate major may have different admission steps or clinical requirements from a similarly named graduate degree. Applicants should use the current academic catalog to confirm a program's credential, location, delivery format, and graduation requirements.

What is the location of Saint Mary's University of Minnesota?

Saint Mary's traditional undergraduate campus is in Winona, southeastern Minnesota, along the Mississippi River. It offers a residential college setting in a small city rather than a large metropolitan campus.

Winona's location gives students access to local businesses, schools, health care organizations, and outdoor recreation. A car may make regional travel easier, although first-year students are permitted to park on campus. La Crosse Regional Airport in Wisconsin is a nearby air-travel option; flight availability and ground transportation should be checked before relying on it. Saint Mary's also serves students through programs outside Winona, so campus-based services described in this article should not automatically be assumed available at every program location.

What is the mission and vision of Saint Mary's University of Minnesota?

Saint Mary's identifies as a Catholic university in the Lasallian educational tradition. Its stated mission centers on educating the whole person through learning, service, ethical development, and respect for others.

For prospective students, that identity may be visible in general education, campus ministry, service activities, and the language the university uses to describe its educational goals. It does not, by itself, establish that every student shares the same religious beliefs. Applicants evaluating a particular degree can look at its curriculum and campus activities to see how the university's stated values appear in practice.