University of North Alabama

About UNA

About the University of North Alabama

History

The University of North Alabama traces its roots to 1830 and LaGrange College, the first state-chartered college in Alabama. The school relocated to its current location in Florence from its original site in Franklin County in 1854. The institution would later become the first state-supported teachers college in the South and one of the first coeducational institutions in the nation.
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Students

UNA is home to about 7,100 students, of whom about 55 percent are women and 45 percent are men. Most UNA students – about 70 percent – are enrolled full-time, and most – also about 70 percent – are Alabama residents.

Faculty

All classes at UNA are taught by University faculty members, not graduate assistants. More than 70 percent of the instructional faculty holds doctoral degrees in their fields of study. UNA has a student-teacher ratio of 23:1 and an average class size of 25.

Alumni

UNA has more than 50,000 alumni throughout Alabama, the Southeast region and the world. Alumni have an array of opportunities to stay connected with UNA, including a variety of events, networks, alumni chapters and more.
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Degrees and Majors

UNA offers more than 60 undergraduate majors, plus the Education Specialist (Ed.S.) and master’s degrees in seven fields of study. Majors include regionally unique programs such as entertainment industry management, industrial hygiene, hospitality management, and marine biology. UNA is also the only public institution in Alabama to offer a bachelor’s degree program with a concentration in culinary arts. Degrees are offered through four academic colleges: the College of Arts and Sciences, College of Business, College of Education, and College of Nursing and Allied Health.
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Tuition, Scholarships and Financial Aid

Tuition at UNA is among the lowest in the state and in the nation, at $167 per undergraduate credit hour and $210 per graduate credit hour. About 66 percent of our students receive financial aid, with a typical package being about $5,000 per year. All UNA students who complete the application process receive an offer of financial assistance. More than $2.7 million in scholarships were awarded in 2008-09.
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Accreditations

The University of North Alabama is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award bachelor’s, master’s and education specialist degrees. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of the University of North Alabama
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Honors Program

UNA offers its Honors Program for exceptional students who value a close-knit community of other student scholars and faculty. Honors students enjoy a variety of educational benefits, including cultural travel opportunities, distinguished guest speakers and smaller classes with professors specially chosen for their teaching and passion in their fields. Honors students also have special access to the Honors Center, which includes study rooms, computer labs, meeting areas, lounge and kitchen. Every Honors student receives scholarships directly from the Honors Program.
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International Studies

A UNA education can be a global experience both on campus and off. On campus, the University offers a diverse population, including about 900 international students from more than 50 countries. Off campus, student and faculty study-abroad groups tour the world, visiting destinations such as Costa Rica, Mexico, Scotland and Spain, to name a few.
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Cultural Opportunities

Throughout the year, UNA offers a variety of cultural events, such as the Summer Theatre Program, the Distinguished Events Series and the George Lindsey UNA Film Festival, named for UNA alumnus George Lindsey, of “The Andy Griffith Show” fame. Special guests to these and other University events often include Oscar-winning filmmakers, Pulitzer Prize-winning writers and other nationally acclaimed personalities. UNA is also home to many cultural and artistic organizations, such as the Shoals Symphony at UNA and the Entertainment Industry Center, where many students have taken their first steps toward significant careers in music and entertainment.

Athletics

The UNA Lions compete in the Gulf South Conference of the NCAA Division II. Men’s varsity sports include football, baseball, basketball, tennis, golf and cross country, while women’s sports include volleyball, basketball, softball, soccer, tennis and cross country. UNA teams have collected more than 40 conference championships, dozens of No. 1 national rankings and six national titles. UNA’s athletic history is marked by names such as Harlon Hill, namesake of the NCAA D-II’s Harlon Hill Trophy, and benchmarks such as the first football team in any division to win 40 or more games in three seasons.
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Location

UNA is located just blocks from the Tennessee River in Florence, Alabama, one of four cities collectively known as the Shoals. The Shoals area is steeped in arts, culture and entertainment such as the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail, FAME Studios, the birthplaces of Helen Keller and W.C. Handy, the Wilson Dam, the Alabama Music Hall of Fame and much more. The Shoals, with a population of about 137,000, is centrally located between Birmingham, Alabama, and Nashville and Memphis, Tennessee.
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Economic Impact

UNA and its students, faculty and staff impact the Shoals area economy annually with more than $161 million in direct and indirect spending, according to a 2008 study conducted by the University’s Center for Public Policy and Economic Research (COPPER). The study analyzed indirect employment and earnings effects of employee and student spending; total spending, employment and earning impact; local tax revenue generated by UNA students and employees; impact on local financial institutions; and how international students impact the local economy.
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Campus

UNA occupies one of the most picturesque college campuses in Alabama. Its more than 130 acres offer a pedestrian-friendly environment in Florence’s historic district. Many of UNA’s beautifully restored historic buildings include mid and late 18th century and early 19th century mansions and classroom facilities. One of the University’s oldest buildings, Wesleyan Hall, is where the infamous Civil War General William Tecumseh Sherman coined the phrase “War is hell.” The building was occupied by both Union and Confederate troops during the Civil War.
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Leo III and Una

Two 6-year-old African lions, Leo III and Una, are among the permanent residents of the UNA campus. The siblings are housed in a state-of-the-art secure habitat near the main entrance of campus, next door to the president’s home. Leo III and Una are often seen at public events, such as the Homecoming parade and home football games. They welcome guests from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. seven days a week.
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