Yale University

Colleges and Universities, Est. 1701

Founded in 1701, Yale University is a leading private, independent research institution in New Haven, Connecticut. The University is accredited regionally by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges. It consists of three major academic components - Yale College (the undergraduate program), the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, and 10 professional schools. In addition, it encompasses a comprehensive range of research organizations, libraries, and museums.

The university was established as a Collegiate School in the home of Abraham Pierson, its first rector. Originally, it was located in Killingworth but later moved to New Haven.

In 1718, the school was renamed Yale College. In 1754, the college's president, Thomas Clap, identified the rules that would govern student life:

"That none may expect to be admitted into this college unless upon examination of the president and tutors, they shall be found able extempore to read, construe, and parse Tully, Virgil, and the Greek Testament; and to write true Latin in prose and to understand the rules of prosody and common arithmetic, and shall bring sufficient testimony of his blameless and inoffensive life.

"All scholars shall live religious, godly, and blameless lives according to the rules of God's Word, diligently reading the Holy Scriptures, the fountain of light and truth; and constantly attend upon the duties of religion, both in public and secret."

In the succeeding years, it began a steady expansion of its academic program, and in 1887, the Connecticut college became Yale University.

The Graduate School of Arts and Sciences offers several graduate degree programs which include African American Studies; Anthropology; Astronomy; Biological and Biomedical Sciences; Investigative Medicine, Ecology, and Evolutionary Biology; Slavic Languages and Literatures; Film Studies; Renaissance Studies, and History of Medicine and Science.

Fellowships are provided to students who wish to pursue graduate degrees. It includes Yale Engineering which offers degrees in Applied Physics, Biomedical, Chemical, Electrical, Environmental, and Mechanical.

The professional schools maintained by the university are the School of Architecture, School of Art, Divinity School (which includes Berkeley Divinity School), the Institute of Sacred Music, School of Drama, School of Music, School of Forestry and Environmental Studies, Law School, the School of Management, the School of Medicine (which includes Epidemiology and Public Health), and the School of Nursing.

In addition, the university provides research centers in the fields of Humanities, Social Sciences, Science, and Engineering. It provides educational programs designed especially for Yale graduates.

The medical center at Yale University offers patient care and supports research activities. Athletic facilities and services, clubs, and appropriate paraphernalia are provided. Cultural events, seminar programs, and other activities are also supported.

The university encompasses libraries that provide access to a wide range of books. It holds collections such as the African Collection, Babylonian Collection, Near Eastern Collection, Visual Resources Collection, the Judaica Collection, Latin American Collection, and Special Collections.

Its museums and galleries exhibit items related to ancient art, coins and medals, musical instruments, drawings, and photographs. Among those graduated from Yale included Henry R. Luce who founded Time, Inc., the company that published Time, Fortune, Sports Illustrated and Life magazines. Luce propagated his conservative ideas in these publications.