Since
its establishment in 1894 as Stevens Point Normal School, the
university has served the state and its citizens in the preparation of
teachers of the public schools. Two – and three-year curricula were
offered until 1927, when the school was renamed Stevens Point Teachers
College and became a degree-granting institution.
In 1951, after liberal arts degrees were authorized by the
state, Stevens Point Teachers College became Wisconsin State College,
Stevens Point, and a letters and science division was established.
Graduate work was inaugurated in the summer of 1960 as a cooperative
program with the other nine state college institutions and the
University of Wisconsin (graduate studies became a full-time,
independent, academic-year program in the fall of 1966). Partially as a
result of the establishment of graduate programs-many of the first
graduate students were in-service teachers—separate schools were created
for education and applied arts in 1961. Later, in 1963, a separate
school was established for fine arts.
On July 1, 1964, the name of the institution became
Wisconsin State University-Stevens Point. The schools were officially
designated colleges on July 1, 1967. The College of Professional Studies
and the College of Natural Resources were established in 1970. On July
9, 1974, under the law merging the University of Wisconsin and the
Wisconsin State Universities, the institution became the University of
Wisconsin-Stevens Point (UWSP). The university offers a variety of curricula in
general education, liberal and applied arts, fine arts,
pre-professional study, teacher education, adult education, and natural
resources.
UW-Stevens Point is part of the University of Wisconsin System (UWS). As an employee, this is important as UWS implements many programs, such as benefits, and has oversight of UWSP's structure, policies, and more. Take a few moments to learn about UWS prior to or on your first day.
UW-Stevens Point News
UWSP Fast Facts - University Relations and Communication
UWSP Wikipedia Page
UWSP Digital Collection
Enrollment Data
You'll learn more about UW-Stevens Point's structure and culture during your first week and after.