Widener University

Widener University was founded in 1821 as a preparatory school for boys in Wilmington, Delaware. Military instruction was introduced in 1858, and from 1859 to 1862, the school was known as the Delaware Military Academy.

 

In 1862, the military academy moved to Pennsylvania and became Pennsylvania Military Academy (1862-1892). In 1892, the academy became Pennsylvania Military College, an all-male cadet college (1892-1972).

In 1966, the college began to admit women and civilians into a coeducational civilian component, Penn Morton College, so from 1966 to 1972, PMC became PMC Colleges – to include Penn Morton College and Pennsylvania Military College. In 1972, the Corps of Cadets disbanded, and PMC Colleges became Widener College.

In 1967, the college introduced graduate programs. In 1975, Widener acquired the Delaware Law School, and one year later the campus of Brandywine College, which now houses the School of Law, and in 1979, Widener became a university.

 

The Harrisburg Campus, opened in 1989, also houses the School of Law, graduate nursing, and social work courses. The Exton Campus opened in 2004 and houses a branch of University College, as well as the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute. All other academic programs are offered on the Main Campus in Chester.

Today, Widener University has four campuses and offers more than 150 programs of study leading to certificates and associate's, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees.