The Catholic University of Temuco, was founded on September 8, 1959, by the then Bishop of the Diocese Monsignor Alejandro Menchaca Lira, becoming the first institution of higher education created in the region of Araucania With this new administrative relationship the Catholic University of Temuco consolidates its academic offerings in teaching careers, positioning itself as the great teacher training institution to the south of the country. In the early nineties, with other regional offices of the Catholic University, began the process of seeking autonomy culminating on July 10, 1991, date on which the creation of the Catholic University of Temuco Autonomous University under the Council of Regents is made ​​official. Currently the University has a accreditation of four years (2015-2019) in the areas of undergraduate teaching, institutional management, research and relationship with the environment.