Algoma University is a publicly funded university with campuses in Brampton, Sault Ste. Marie and Timmins, focused on Northern Ontario and cross-cultural learning.
Algoma University was established in 1965 as Algoma College in Sault Ste. Marie and was initially an affiliate of Sudbury's Laurentian University. The college moved into its current location, the former Shingwauk Residential School building, in 1971. In 1967, the City of Sault Ste. Marie gave the college 353 acres of land for a future campus. Algoma University was granted its charter in 2008, achieving full autonomous university status as Ontario's 19th university, and held its first graduation class in 2009.
Algoma University has a special mission to provide cross-cultural learning between Indigenous communities and other communities in Northern Ontario. The university aims to be a teaching-oriented institution offering programs in liberal arts and sciences and professional programs, primarily at the undergraduate level, with a particular focus on the needs of Northern Ontario. Shingwauk Kinoomaage Gamig, one of nine provincially recognized Indigenous institutes of higher learning, is located on the Algoma property.
Algoma University offers over 30 academic programs across its campuses in a range of fields. The university has four faculties: Business and Professional Studies, Cross-Cultural Studies, Humanities & Social Sciences, and Science. It is the only university in Canada to offer a three-year undergraduate degree in Anishinaabemowin, the Ojibwe language.
Algoma University's campuses are located in Sault Ste. Marie, Timmins and Brampton, and all programs are designed to meet the needs of the surrounding populations. The Brampton campus is located at 24 Queen St. East, Brampton, Ontario. Facilities include the Arthur A. Wishart Library, the Engracia de Jesus Matias Archives & Special Collections, and research facilities.
Admission routes include Ontario high school admission, with general requirements set by program, as well as out-of-province Canadian high school diplomas, International Baccalaureate (IB), Advanced Placement (AP) credit, and online secondary school credits.