Sarah Lawrence College

Student Handbook

About Sarah Lawrence College

Student Life
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History of the College

William Van Duzer Lawrence founded the College in 1926 as a two-year, diploma-granting institution (or junior college) intended, in part, to relieve the overcrowding in women’s colleges around the country. Named to honor his wife, Sarah Bates Lawrence, the College became a four-year, degree-granting institution in 1931. Originally admitting only women, the College made the commitment to coeducation in 1968, with the conviction that our distinctive opportunities should be available to all. Today, the College welcomes men and women of all races and backgrounds who display evidence of intellectual curiosity and stamina, concern for others, and the potential for personal growth. We are particularly concerned that our faculty, administration, and student body reflect the social, racial, and economic diversity that characterizes our society. We believe that education is enhanced by diversity, that when a college is too homogeneous it loses the vitality of a dialogue among people of different experiences and beliefs.

Throughout its history, Sarah Lawrence has promoted new ideas and instituted outstanding programs. In 1937, the College founded the Early Childhood Center, a school for children ages two through six, where Sarah Lawrence students serve as interns and engage in research projects. In 1949, the College introduced programs leading to the MA degree; since 1969, the College has also awarded the MFA degree in the performing arts and creative writing. In 1962, Sarah Lawrence established the Center for Continuing Education, the first full-scale undergraduate program in the country designed for returning adult students. Sarah Lawrence has pioneered the founding of several outstanding graduate programs that have served as models nationwide: the master’s program in human genetics (1969), providing training for health professionals in human genetics and inheritable disorders; the master’s program in women’s history (1972), linking teaching and research with the problems of women in a changing society; and the master’s program in health advocacy (1980), educating advocates for a broad array of roles within the health care system. In 1985, the College began the Art of Teaching Program, which leads to the MSEd degree and prepares students for teacher certification (nursery through sixth grade). Activities and programs in child development were consolidated as the Child Development Institute in 1987.