For more than 170 years, Samford University and its students have impacted the world with their academic achievement and leadership skills. At the University’s core is a foundation of Christian values and belief, a mission to nurture persons for God, for learning, forever that has withstood the test of time. Because of the united dedication to this mission, Samford students discover that professors, administrators, and staff encourage them to reach their highest potential intellectually, spiritually, and socially. The rewards are numerous, and the impact on individual lives is endless.
Identity
Samford University is a Christian community focused on student learning.
Samford was founded in 1841 by Alabama Baptists. In the present day, it maintains its ties to Alabama Baptists, extending and enhancing their original commitment by developing and maintaining in the campus community an exemplary Christian ethos and culture.
Samford University’s corporate expression of faith commitment is The Statement of Baptist Faith and Message of 1963, without amendment.
Samford offers bachelor’s, master’s, and professional doctoral degrees, as well as continuing education and various types of worthwhile, non-degree learning.
Samford serves students through ten organizational units: Howard College of Arts and Sciences , School of the Arts , Brock School of Business , Beeson School of Divinity, Orlean Beeson School of Education , Cumberland School of Law, and the College of Health Sciences , which includes the School of Health Professions , Moffett & Sanders School of Nursing , McWhorter School of Pharmacy , and the School of Public Health .
Mission
The mission of Samford University is to nurture persons in their development of intellect, creativity, faith, and personhood. As a Christian university, the community fosters academic, career, and ethical competency, while encouraging social and civic responsibility, and service to others.
Core Values
Samford University’s particularity is rooted in convictions, essential to its integrity, and expressive of its mission. The Samford community values lifelong:
- belief in God, the Creator of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord.
- engagement with the life and teachings of Jesus
- learning and responsible freedom of inquiry
- personal empowerment, accountability, and responsibility
- vocational success and civic engagement
- spiritual growth and cultivation of physical well-being
- integrity, honesty, and justice
- appreciation for diverse cultures and convictions
- stewardship of all resources
- service to God, to family, to one another, and to the community.
Vision
Anchored in Christian understanding, Samford University will be a diverse community, stressing vigorous learning and personal faith, in the Baptist tradition. Within that commonality, the Community will be: innovative in teaching, learning and research; sensitive to global issues; aggressive in self-assessment and continuous improvement. Faithful to its mission, Samford will be known and acknowledged worldwide by holding to its distinctives. The world will be better for it.
University Membership in Educational Organizations
The University holds membership in the following educational organizations:
Alabama Association of Colleges for Teacher Education
Alabama Association of Independent Colleges and Universities
Alabama Commission on Higher Education
Alabama Council for International Programs
Alabama Council of Graduate Deans
American Academy of Nurse Practitioners
American Alliance for Health, Physical Education and Dance
American Association for Paralegal Education
American Association of Colleges of Nursing
American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education
American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy
American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admission Officers
American Association of Law Libraries
American Association of Presidents of Independent Colleges and Universities
American Association of University Women
American College Health Association
American Council on Education
American Library Association
Associated New American Colleges and Universities
Association for Continuing Higher Education
Association of American Colleges and Universities
Association of American Law Schools
Association of College and Research Libraries
Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges
Association of University Programs in Health Administration (AUPHA)
Birmingham Area Consortium for Higher Education (BACHE)
Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME)
Consortium for Global Education
Council for Higher Education Accreditation
Council of Independent Colleges
Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE)
Council for Christian Colleges and Universities
Council for Higher Education Accreditation
EDUCAUSE
International Association of Baptist Colleges and Universities
National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (NAICU)
National Association of Student Personnel Administrators
National Athletic Trainers Association
National Association for Legal Assistants
National Network of Church-Related Colleges and Universities
National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties
Network of Alabama Academic Libraries
New American Colleges and Universities
Online Computer Library Center (OCLC)
Southern Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admission Officers
Southern Business Administration Association
Southern Regional Education Board
University Continuing Education Association
Samford University is approved by the Alabama Department of Education for the training of teachers, school administrators, supervisors and counselors. The human development and family science program is approved by the National Council on Family Relations.
Accreditation
Samford University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), to award bachelor’s, master’s, educational specialist, and doctoral degrees. This status was most recently affirmed in 2017, continuing a relationship that Samford has enjoyed with SACS since 1920. For questions concerning Samford’s accreditation status, please contact SACSCOC:
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
1866 Southern Lane
Decatur, GA, 30033-4097
(404) 679-4500
sacscoc.org
Normal inquiries about the institution, such as admission requirements, financial aid, educational programs, etc., should be addressed directly to the institution and not to the SACSCOC office.
The appropriate professional schools and programs at Samford are accredited by:
Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND)
Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE)
American Bar Association (ABA)
Association of Theological Schools (ATS)
Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE)
Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE)
Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA)
Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA)*
Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA)
Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
National Association of Schools of Music (NASM)
National Association of Schools of Theatre (NAST)
Public Relations Society of America (PRSA Certification)
The following professional program will seek accreditation upon graduation of its first student cohort, as required by the respective accrediting organization:
Master of Public Health - Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH)
The following professional program has been granted accreditation-provisional status:
Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies - Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA)
The following professional programs have applied for and received approval to be a candidates for certification:
Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Administration - Association of University Programs in Health Administration (AUPHA)
Master of Healthcare Administration - Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME)
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* On 2/13/2020, Samford University reported to the CAA its intent to voluntarily withdraw the candidacy status of the clinical doctoral program in audiology (AuD) due to the pending closure of this program. The program will maintain its current status with the CAA until the program has closed, barring any interim decisions by the CAA or program, the withdrawal will take effect on 6/30/2023. Current CAA accreditation status for the master of science in speech language pathology is not affected by the closure of the clinical doctoral program in audiology.
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