Established in 1996, Universidad Castro Carazo (Castro Carazo University) is a private higher-education institution located in the metropolis of San José (population range of 1,000,000-5,000,000 inhabitants), San Jose. Officially recognized by the Ministerio de Educación Pública, Costa Rica (Ministry of Public Education of Costa Rica), Universidad Castro Carazo (UMCA) is a coeducational Costa Rican higher education institution. Universidad Castro Carazo (UMCA) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as bachelor degrees, master degrees, doctorate degrees in several areas of study. UMCA also provides several academic and non-academic facilities and services to students including a library, as well as administrative services.