PACIFIC, UNIVERSITY OF THE

private, coeducational institution of higher learning in Stockton, Calif., U.S. The university includes the College of the Pacific, Gladys L. Benerd School of Education, the Conservatory of Music, and schools of Business and Public Administration, Engineering, International Studies, and Pharmacy. The university's McGeorge School of Law is in Sacramento, and the School of Dentistry is in San Francisco. In addition to undergraduate studies, the university offers a range of master's, doctoral, and professional degree programs. Total enrollment is approximately 5,400. The university was founded in 1851 by Methodist ministers; it was the first chartered institution of higher learning in the state. The school was then known as California Wesleyan College, becoming the University of the Pacific within a year. The college was first located in Santa Clara, and it moved to San Jose before settling in Stockton in 1924. It was renamed College of the Pacific in 1911; it became a university again in 1961. The university became coeducational in 1871.