The University of Northern Colorado (UNC or Northern Colorado) is a coeducational public institution of higher education in Greeley, Colorado with a satellite campus in Lowry in Denver, Colorado. Established in 1889 as the State Normal School of Colorado, the University has a strong background in teacher education. The university offers over 100 undergraduate programs in the arts, sciences, humanities, business, human sciences, and education. Undergraduate degrees are typically 4 year programs and degree programs have a strong emphasis in liberal arts education. The university offers nearly 50 graduate programs primarily in education. Academic programs are distributed among six colleges. The history of The University of Northern Colorado begins in the late 1880s, when citizens of Greeley petitioned the Colorado government to create a school to educate teachers in their community. In April 1889 Governor Cooper signed a bill establishing the Colorado State Normal School. Classes began in October of the next year. Since then the institution has been through many changes in focus, architecture, and student ideals.