University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee is a public research university located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Founded in 1956 through the merger of Wisconsin State College-Milwaukee and the University of Wisconsin Extension’s Milwaukee division, it is part of the University of Wisconsin System. The university offers a wide range of undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs across multiple schools and colleges, including programs in engineering, business, health sciences, education, and the arts. As an urban university situated near Lake Michigan, it serves a diverse student population and maintains strong connections to regional industries, research initiatives, and community organizations in the Milwaukee area.

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee was officially established in 1956 through the merger of Wisconsin State College-Milwaukee and the University of Wisconsin Extension’s Milwaukee division. Its roots trace back to 1885, when the Milwaukee State Normal School opened to train teachers in downtown Milwaukee. Over time, the institution evolved into Wisconsin State Teachers College-Milwaukee and later Wisconsin State College-Milwaukee, expanding its academic offerings beyond teacher education. After the 1956 merger, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee became a comprehensive public university serving southeastern Wisconsin. During the 1960s and 1970s, it expanded its campus near Milwaukee’s lakefront and added graduate and research programs. The university joined the University of Wisconsin System in 1971. In the decades that followed, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee developed into a doctoral research institution, strengthening programs in engineering, business, health sciences, and urban studies while maintaining its historic commitment to access and public service in Milwaukee.