To contribute to national and social advancement by refining leadership qualities, exploring and teaching academic theories and application methods, and raising unique skills based on the Christian faith, the graduate school was founded on December 5, 1979, and relocated to the current building (Go Myeongwoo Hall) on November 30, 1983.

Dr. Go Whanggyeong was the first president of the graduate school. 19 students were first admitted into master’s courses (departments of education, English language & literature and home economics) on January 29, 1980. As of 2017, SWU has produced a total of 3,821 masters and 445 doctoral graduates and awarded 18 honorary doctorate degrees to eminent figures in Korea and abroad with the graduate school offering 26 master’s and 14 PhD courses. Among these, the Graduate school of Education offers master’s courses, the Graduate School of Human Services Studies offers master’s courses, and the Graduate School of Professional Therapeutic Technology offers two master’s and PhD courses, respectively.