Reinhardt University

Reinhardt University is a private university in Waleska, Georgia, affiliated with the United Methodist Church. Founded in 1883, it offers undergraduate and graduate programs across the liberal arts, business, education, nursing, and the sciences. The university operates its main campus in north Georgia and additional instructional sites in the region. Reinhardt provides traditional residential programs as well as online and adult degree completion options. It is known for its faith-informed educational environment, small class sizes, and community engagement. Students are often drawn to Reinhardt University for its rural campus setting, personalized academic experience, and programs in areas such as business administration, music, and health sciences.

Reinhardt University was founded in 1883 in Waleska, Georgia, through the efforts of Augustus M. Reinhardt and the North Georgia Conference of the Methodist Church. The institution opened as Reinhardt Academy, with Emory College graduate James T. Linn serving as its first teacher and president. Initially offering preparatory and high school-level instruction, the school expanded its curriculum over time. In 1920, it added a second year of postsecondary study and became a junior college. Throughout the twentieth century, Reinhardt continued to grow, adding new academic programs and campus facilities. In 1994, the institution was accredited to award its first bachelor’s degrees, marking its transition to a four-year college. Reinhardt College introduced graduate education in 2007 and officially became Reinhardt University in 2010. Today, Reinhardt University remains rooted in its Methodist heritage while serving students across Georgia.