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 & 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, and in the Holy Spirit
- 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:
Academy of Economics and Finance
Academy of Management
Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
Accounting Information Systems (AIS) Educator Association
Alabama Association for Financial Professionals (AFP)
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
Alabama Dietetic Association
Alabama Risk and Insurance Management Society (RIMS)
Alabama Society of Certified Public Accountants
American Academy of Emergency Nurse Pratitioners (AAENP)
American Academy of Nurse Practitioners
American Accounting Association
American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education
American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN)
American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy
American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admission Officers
American Association of Law Libraries
American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP)
American Association of Presidents of Independent Colleges and Universities
American Association of University Women
American College Health Association
American Council on Education
American Economic Association
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
American Library Association
American Marketing Association
American Society of Nutrition
Association for Research on Nonprofit Organizations and Voluntary Activity
Association for the Study of Religion, Economics, and Culture
Association of American Law Schools
Association of Christian Economists
Association of College and Research Libraries
Association of Nutrition Departments
Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health
Association of University Programs in Health Administration (AUPHA)
Birmingham Area Consortium for Higher Education (BACHE)
Christians in the Visual Arts
Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME)
Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
Consortium for Global Education
Council for Christian Colleges and Universities
Council for Interior Design Accreditation
Council of Academic Programs in Communication Sciences and Disorders
Council of Colleges of Arts and Sciences
Council of Independent Colleges
Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA)
Council on Social Work Education
EDUCAUSE
Evangelical Dean’s Council
Financial Management Association International
Financial Planning Association of North Central Alabama
Institute of Management Accountants (IMA)
International Association of Baptist Colleges and Universities
International Council of Fine Arts Deans
Marketing Educators’ Association
Music Teachers National Association (MTNA)
National Association for Music Education
National Association of Christians in Social Work
National Association of Deans and Directors
National Association of Schools of Music
National Association of Schools of Theatre
National League for Nursing (NLN)
National Network of Church-Related Colleges and Universities
National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties
National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculty (NONPF)
Network of Alabama Academic Libraries
North American Case Research Association
Online Computer Library Center (OCLC)
Physician Assistant Education Association
Society of Professors in Christian Education
Southern Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admission Officers
Southern Business Administration Association
Southern Economic Association
Southern Management Association
Southern Regional Education Board
Southwest Case Research Association
State of Alabama Association of Colleges of Nursing (SAACN)
United States Association for Small Business and Entrepreneurship
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.
Academic Program Accreditation, Recognition, and Approval
Samford University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate, baccalaureate, masters, education specialist, and doctorate degrees. Degree-granting institutions also may offer credentials such as certificates and diplomas at approved degree levels. Questions about the accreditation of Samford University may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA, 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.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.
In addition to SACSCOC institutional accreditation, many of Samford’s academic programs have achieved specialized accreditation, recognition, or approval by one or more of the following professional organizations:
Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND)
Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE)
Alabama State Department of Education (ALSDE)
American Bar Association (ABA)
Association of Theological Schools (ATS)
Association of University Programs in Health Administration (AUPHA)
Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
Commission of Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME)
Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE)
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 Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB)
National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD)
National Association of Schools of Music (NASM)
National Association of Schools of Theatre (NAST)
Public Relations Society of America (PRSA Certification)
The Human Development and Family Science undergraduate program at Samford University has been reviewed by the National Council on Family Relations. It has been recognized as an NCFR CFLE-approved program offering coursework covering the content required for the Certified Family Life Educator (CFLE) designation. Graduates of NCFR CFLE-approved programs qualify to apply for the CFLE designation via the CFLE-approved program process.
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)
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