Harris-Stowe State University

HARRIS-STOWE STATE UNIVERSITY

HISTORY

Harris-Stowe State University traces back to 1857 when it was founded as a normal school for white students only by the city of St. Louis. This school was later named Harris Teachers College in honor of William Torrey Harris who had been a School Superintendent of St. Louis Public Schools and a United States Commissioner of Education. In 1920, Harris Teachers College became a four-year undergraduate institution authorized to grant a Bachelor of Arts in Education Degree. In 1924, the college received accreditation from the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

   Stowe Teachers College began in 1890 as a normal school for future black teachers of elementary schools in the city of St. Louis. This normal school of the St. Louis Public School System and was an extension of Sumner High School. In 1924, the Sumner Normal School became a four-year institution with authority to grant the baccalaureate degree. In 1929, its name was changed to Stowe Teachers College, in honor of the abolitionist and novelist Harriet Beecher Stowe.

   These two teacher education institutions were merged by the Board of Education of the St. Louis Public Schools in 1954 as the first of several steps to integrate the public schools of St. Louis. The merged institution retained the name Harris Teachers College. Accreditation from other agencies followed, including accreditation by the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education and the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education.

   Later, in response to the many requests from alumni of Stowe Teachers College and members of the Greater St. Louis community, the Board of Education agreed to restore to the college's name the word "Stowe" and to drop the word "teachers." In 1979, Harris-Stowe College became the newest member of the State system of public higher education.

   Harris-Stowe is accredited by the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education and the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education. IN 2005, Harris-Stowe State College obtained university status. Today the university hosts collaborative graduate degree programs with Maryville University, the University of Missouri-St. Louis and Webster University.

   Harris-Stowe State University Busch School of Business Administration offers five Bachelor of Science degrees:

   Accounting
   Business Administration
   Health Care Management
   Hospitality & Tourism Management
   Information Sciences and Computer Technology

Harris-Stowe State University’s Teacher Education Department presently offers several Bachelor of Science degree programs:

   Early Childhood Education
   Elementary Education
   Middle School Education
   Secondary Education
   Teacher Certifications

Lastly, the school offers Urban Specializations Programs in Urban Education, Criminal Justice and Professional Interdisciplinary Studies.

Gillespie Residence Hall and Student Center (GRH), opened in 2006. Located in the Student Center is the Dean of Student Affairs, Office of Student Activities, counseling and health offices, game room, computer lab and university bookstore. Gillespie is the first residence hall in the history of Harris-Stowe.

As a small urban university in St. Louis, the school enjoys many entertainment benefits on nearby Grand Avenue, Downtown and the Loop District. You can visit this urban campus anytime, but must contact the school to arrange classroom visits.

ADDRESS: 3026 LaClede Avenue, St. Louis, MO MAP
PARKING; on premises and street

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