William Carey College was founded in 1906. Firstly it was founded as Mississippi Woman's College. In 1954, it became coeducational and was renamed William Carey College. William Carey University celebrated its Centennial on August 14, 2006. This day also marked the transition of William Carey College to William Carey University.

The mission of William Carey College is to provide liberal arts and professional education programs within a caring Christian academic community. The college collaborates with churches, organizations, and individuals to affirm its Baptist heritage and namesake - William Carey.

As a fully accredited, four-year Christian University, WCU is affiliated with the Mississippi Baptist Convention (MBC) and serves as one of the most affordable private universities in the United States. William Carey University is dedicated to helping students achieve their education goals through online learning.

William Carey University offers Post-Master’s Nurse Educator program fully online. This online offering at William Carey provides students with an array of skill sets that allow them to thrive in a professional work environment. The online program meet the specific needs of professional students and require minimal travel to the Hattiesburg campus. William Carey offers the convenience, flexibility and accessibility that students need to complete a program and move forward in their career.

William Carey University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award bachelor and Masters degrees.