Salem College is a liberal arts women's college in Winston-Salem, North Carolina founded in 1772. Originally established as a primary school, it later became an academy (high school) and finally a college. It is the oldest female educational establishment that is still a women's college (coeducational Moravian College, originally Bethlehem Female Seminary, was founded in 1742). It is the oldest female institution in the Southern United States. Though Salem is officially classified as a women's college, men 23 years of age and over are admitted into the Continuing Education program (through the Martha H. Fleer Center for Adult Education) and into graduate-degree programs. In 2009, Forbes rated it 67th of America's Best Colleges. Salem College is an independent college committed to the liberal arts and quality professional preparation. Salem strives to set its signature upon its students by encouraging them to recognize and strengthen their human faculties and their capacities for service, professional life and leadership.