# Universidad de Sta. Isabel

The Universidad de Sta. Isabel de Inc., also just called, Universidad de Sta. Isabel, also simply referred to as USI or Sta. Isabel, is a private Catholic university run by the Sisters of Charity of Saint Vincent De Paul in Naga, Camarines Sur, Philippines. It was founded by the Rt Rev. Francisco Gainza, O.P., Bishop of Caceres, in 1868 as the first normal school for women in the Philippines and Southeast Asia, named in honor of the university's patron, St. Isabel, Queen of Hungary.

## History

Colegio de Sta. Isabel was founded by the Rt Rev. Francisco Gainza, O.P., Bishop of Caceres. The administration of the school was given to six Daughters of Charity sisters who arrived in the Bicol Region (Philippines) on April 4, 1868. The school was solemnly blessed and opened on September 18, 1870.
A Royal Decree of Queen Isabella II of Spain, dated January 11, 1872, granted to the Lord Don Fray Francisco Gainza, Bishop of Nueva Caceres, the authority to construct a school for girls (escuela de niñas) which will be under the care of the Hijas de Caridad (Daughters of Charity). Consequently, Colegio de Sta. Isabel became the first normal school for girls in the Philippines and Southeast Asia under the name Escuela Normal de Maestras.
The main campus was opened on April 12, 1868. Colegio de Sta. Isabel achieved its university status in August 2001, and was renamed Universidad de Sta. Isabel. It is still sometimes colloquially referred to as 'Colegio' across Metro Naga, usually from alumni pre-retitling and generally from older inhabitants.

## Campuses

The main campus of the Universidad de Sta. Isabel is located at Elias Angeles St., Bagumbayan Sur, Naga City. The main campus manages three academic departments, the Basic Education Department, Higher Education Department, Graduate School. An annex campus is located at Panganiban Drive, Naga City and a satellite campus in Pili, Camarines Sur.

## Graduate school

* DOCTOR of Philosophy
** Major in Human Development Management
* MASTER of Arts in education (Thesis Tract)
** Major in: Administration and Supervision, Guidance and Counseling, Filipino, Mathematics, Religious Education, Music Education & History
* MASTER in Education (Non-thesis track)
* MASTER in Management
* MASTER of Arts in Nursing
** Major in: Medical Surgical Nursing, Community Health Nursing, Maternal Child Nursing & Nursing Administration (non-thesis program)
* MASTER of Science in Social Work

## Higher Education

* College of Health Education
** BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY
** BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN NURSING
** BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN PHYSICAL THERAPY
** BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN RADIOLOGIC TECHNOLOGY
* College of Business Education
** BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN HOSPITALITY MANAGEMENT
** BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
** BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN ENTREPRENEURSHIP
* College of Arts and Sciences, Teacher Education, Social Work and Music Education
** BACHELOR OF ARTS AND SCIENCES
** BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN SOCIAL WORK
** BACHELOR OF MUSIC
** BACHELOR IN HUMAN SERVICES
** TEACHER EDUCATION PROGRAMS
*** Bachelor of Elementary Education (BEED)
*** Bachelor of Secondary Education (BSE)
*** Bachelor of Special Needs Education (BSNed)
*** Bachelor of Physical Education (BPEd)
*** Bachelor of Culture and Arts Education (BCAEd)
*** Bachelor of Early Childhood Education (BECE)

## USI as National Historical Landmark

In recognition of the important role, the academe played in Philippine history, the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) has declared the Universidad de Sta. Isabel (USI) as a National Historical Landmark by virtue of Republic Act No. 10086. In view of this declaration, Universidad de Sta. Isabel is now also known as the Heritage and Historical University of Bicol
At the unveiling ceremony of the historical marker, NCHP Chairman Dr. Rene R. Esclante said that "USI is important in the history of the Philippines as this is the oldest school in the country," and "the first normal school for women built during the Spanish era, where traces of the old structures and even the courses offered still exists as to this time."

## Notable people
### Alumni

* Leni Robredo (14th Vice President of the Philippines) attended the Basic Education Department.