Established in 1978, Universidad Autónoma de Occidente (Autonomous University of the West) is a non-profit public higher-education institution located in the large city of Culiacán (population range of 500,000-1,000,000 inhabitants), Sinaloa. This institution also has branch campuses in the following locations: El Fuerte, Guamuchil, Guasave, Los Mochis, Mazatlán. Officially recognized by the Secretaría de Educación Pública, Mexico (Secretariat of Public Education of Mexico), Universidad Autónoma de Occidente (UAdeO) is a coeducational Mexican higher education institution. Universidad Autónoma de Occidente (UAdeO) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees in several areas of study. UAdeO also provides several academic and non-academic facilities and services to students including a library, as well as administrative services.