Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala
The
Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala (USAC) was one of the first universities in
America. It was officially declared a university on
January 31,
1676 by royal command of
King Charles II of Spain. It had previously been known as the School of Saint Thomas, founded in
1562 by the priest
Francisco Marroquín. The University finally gained international acceptance by Official Decree from
Pope Innocent XI, on
June 18 1687.
In the early years, it offered studies in
civil and
liturgical Law,
theology,
philosophy,
medicine and Indian
languages. During the
Guatemalan Civil War (early
1960s to
1995), the university had a reputation as a hotbed of communist and guerrilla ideology.
Today, the University offers courses in practically all areas of science and humanistic studies, both at the undergraduate and graduate levels. It is considered one of the best public universities in
Central America. It is the only public university in the country.
*
List of universities in Guatemala*
Official webpage of the Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala
