Founded in 1538, Universidad Autónoma de Santo Domingo (Autonomous University of Santo Domingo) is a non-profit public higher-education institution located in the urban setting of the metropolis of Santo Domingo (population range of 1,000,000-5,000,000 inhabitants), Distrito Nacional. Officially recognized by the Ministerio de Educación Superior, Ciencia y Tecnología, República Dominicana (Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology of the Dominican Republic), Universidad Autónoma de Santo Domingo (UASD) is a very large coeducational Dominican higher education institution. Universidad Autónoma de Santo Domingo (UASD) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as bachelor degrees in several areas of study. UASD also provides several academic and non-academic facilities and services to students including a library, study abroad and exchange programs, as well as administrative services.