The University of St. Thomas admitted its first undergraduate students in September 1947 with a freshman class of 40 students and eight faculty. The first graduating class was in 1951 and accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools came in 1954. The University was subsequently approved by the Texas Education Agency for the certification of elementary and secondary school teachers. The Bilingual Education program began in 1974.

In the fall of 1975, the School for Young Children was opened to support the Early Childhood Education program. In addition to providing a model program, the school allowed University students the opportunity to develop teaching skills through direct interaction with children. In 1983, the School for Young Children became a program for children with language and learning disabilities. Currently, it serves children between the ages of 5 1/2 and 12. The graduate program in Education began in 1977. The first Master of Education degree was conferred in December of 1978. In 1980, the University received Texas Education Agency approval for professional (graduate level) certificate programs and the School of Education was established. In 1992, the Texas Education Agency recognized the School of Education as a Center for Professional Development.

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