Webster University Geneva is the Swiss campus of Webster University based in St. Louis, Missouri, USA. Founded in 1978, Webster University Geneva was the university's first international campus and is currently its largest one outside of the United States, with approximately 490 students from 90 countries. Webster University operates as an independent, non-denominational university with nearly 100 campus locations around the world. See List of Webster University Campuses.
Webster University Geneva was founded in 1978. From 1978 to 1983, the University was housed in the John Knox Center in Grand-Saconnex. In 1983 the University moved to its current location, which at the time included a large house and 24’000 sq/m of land. Webster University Geneva rented the Bellevue Campus property for three years before obtaining the purchasing permit from the Swiss Government in 1986. After rezoning the land, the campus began the construction of two, three-floor buildings measuring 225 square meters each. The buildings now hold the campus's main classrooms, library, cafeteria, some academic offices and a recording studio, as well as computer, media and photography labs. The University then added another building for freshman campus housing, which holds additional classrooms and student services offices, as well as a student lounge and fitness room. Since 2009, Webster University also rents a residence for student housing. This residence is located in the center of Geneva along the Rhône river.
Webster University carries full institutional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission. The HLC is the highest-level accrediting agency for universities based in the north - central region of the United States. Webster University has maintained this accreditation since 1925, and this institutional accreditation applies for all locations where the University offers programs, worldwide. Students at Webster University Geneva therefore earn the same degree that is awarded in the United States.
Since 1996 Webster Geneva has held a series of departmental conferences that are free and open to the public. These conferences are either held on campus or in larger venues in Geneva. The International Relations Department has the longest history with 2018 seeing the 23rd International Humanitarian and Security Conference on the theme of 'The Need For Effective Global Compacts on Refugees and Migration'. In recent years Both the Media Communications Department and Psychology Department have held conferences with notable speakers including Zoriah Miller, Moushira Khattab and Emmy van Deurzen.
