The Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania was founded in 1889 as Slippery Rock State Normal School, a training institution for teachers. Later in 1926 it was renamed Slippery Rock State Teachers College. In 1960 the school was allowed to award degrees other than in education and became Slippery Rock State College; university standing was granted in 1983.

Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania (also known as The Rock or SRU) is a public, master's-level university that offers some doctoral programs in cooperation with Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Slippery Rock University is located in Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania. The university has one of the largest campuses in western Pennsylvania.

It comprises colleges of Arts and Sciences, Education, Health and Human Services, and Information Science and Business Administration. In addition to undergraduate study, the university offers master’s degree programs in education, English, psychology, history, accounting, environmental policy , nursing, and public administration; a doctoral degree program is offered in physical therapy.

Slippery Rock University currently offers on-line programs from three graduate departments; Sport Management, Special Education and Parks & Recreation/Environmental Education. Special Education includes the Non-Degree Teacher Certification, Master Teacher, School Supervision and Post Master's Supervision. The Sport Management Department currently offers a Masters of Science in Sport Management. The Parks & Recreation/Environmental Education Department currently offers a Master of Science in Park and Resource Management.