Unit introduction

A brief history of higher education in the United States

The history of the U.S. higher education system dates back to the colonial era, beginning in the early 17th century. During this period, education was deeply intertwined with religion, as European settlers sought to ensure the spread of religious and moral education of their communities. The primary purpose of the earliest institutions was to train clergymen, giving rise to the prominence of the Divinity School in the colonial education landscape. Harvard College, established in 1636 in Cambridge, Massachusetts was the first institution of higher education in the American colonies. Founded by the Massachusetts Bay Colony, Harvard’s primary mission was to educate Puritan ministers. The curriculum was founded after European universities, emphasizing classical languages, theology, and logic. The divinity-centered mission of Harvard reflected the settlers' desire to maintain a well-educated clergy to lead and sustain their religious communities.

In 1693, the College of William and Mary was founded in Virginia, with close ties to the Church of England. Its mission echoed Harvard’s, aiming to educate Anglican clergy and civil leaders. Similarly, Yale University was established in 1701 in Connecticut, primarily to train Congregationalist ministers. These early institutions set the precedent for the intertwining of higher education and religious training in the American colonies. The educational focus of the colonial colleges was predominantly theological, with an emphasis on moral philosophy, classical education, and the liberal arts. The Divinity School was central to these institutions, often comprising the core of the academic community. Religious observance and piety were integral to student life, and the curriculum was heavily infused with religious instruction.

Education during this era was reserved mostly for the elite, white, male population. Students typically came from affluent families who could afford the tuition and who were often involved in the colonial administrative and religious hierarchy. The accessibility of higher education to a broader populace was limited, reflecting the social and economic stratification of colonial society. Despite their narrow focus, these early institutions laid the groundwork for the development of American higher education. As the colonies evolved into an independent nation, the role of higher education began to expand beyond religious instruction. By the late 18th and early 19th centuries, the American higher education system started to diversify in terms of disciplines, slowly embracing a more secular approach and becoming more inclusive.

The colonial origins of U.S. higher education, steeped in divinity and religious doctrine, have had a lasting impact. While the mission and scope of higher education have expanded significantly since the colonial era, the initial establishments like Harvard, the College of William and Mary, and Yale played a pivotal role in shaping the nation's educational landscape. Their influence persists in the values and structures of contemporary higher education institutions.

Facilitator bios

Zachariah Mathew is the Director of the Center for Global Engagement at the University of Michigan-Flint. In this role, he oversees international student and scholar services, education abroad, and international partnerships. He also leads comprehensive internationalization efforts and serves on the University Strategic Transformation Committee.   

 Zachariah holds a doctorate in Higher Education Administration and Leadership from Indiana State University and brings nearly 25 years of experience in Higher Education Administration. He came from India to the United States as an international student to pursue his higher education in the field of Sports Science. His experience as an international student inspired his career in international education and administration. 

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