From the noble vision of its founder, Dr. Pedro T. Orata, who believed that the rural people are entitled to equal opportunities for higher education like their counterparts in the cities, the City Colleges of Urdaneta- formerly known as Urdaneta Community College- had gone a long way.
The City Colleges of Urdaneta began carving its niche in the education history of Pangasinan on February 13, 1966 when it managed to open short courses in agriculture, retail, business and a two-year General Education Course with the approval of the Secretary of Education. After two years of its existence, the first batch of General Education Students – 84 of them graduated. This paved the way to the opening of a four-year education program in 1968.
Today, the Urdaneta City University takes pride with the several courses in Education, Nursing, Midwifery, Commerce, Accountancy, Psychology, Care-Giver, and Computer that are aimed not only to arm its graduates with tools for their chosen profession also to instill in them the proper values, the right attitude, and the integrity of character that the college is well-known for.
With the resounding success of its educational program, its proven and distinctive competence , and excellence in the field of education, the Urdaneta City University decided to open another field of specialization in advance studies for the professional development of leaders, educational managers, researchers, administrators, and professional teachers.
Thus, the Graduate School came to its being. The Graduate School that offers Master of Arts in Education, Major in Educational Management, opened in the school year 1995- 1996. The 19 pioneering students on the 1st semester were guided by five part-time professor from Pangasinan State University- Bayambang and some principals in nearby schools. The number of students grew to 68 during the 2nd semester and continued up to the present where it registered 101 last year.
The Graduate School takes pride in citing that ten of its graduates are now employed as elementary or secondary schools principals.