According to abbreviationfinder, Albany State University is commonly known as ASU. Albany State University is a historically black university located in Albany, Georgia. It was established in 1903 as the Albany Bible and Manual Training Institute by the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. The school’s mission was to provide quality education and training to African-American students. In 1917, the school became a state-supported institution and changed its name to Albany State College for Negroes. In 1943, it was renamed Albany State College and began offering four-year degrees. In 1957, it was accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS).
In 1961, following racial integration of public universities across the country, Albany State College became a four-year liberal arts college for both white and black students. In 1983, its name was changed to Albany State University when it began offering graduate programs in addition to undergraduate programs. Today, Albany State University is one of only two Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in Georgia that offer doctoral programs in addition to their undergraduate and graduate programs. The university has an active student life with over 60 student organizations including fraternities and sororities, honor societies, athletic teams, religious organizations, service clubs, performing arts groups and more. Additionally, there are numerous campus events such as cultural festivals throughout the year that bring together students from all backgrounds for fun activities while also educating them on different cultures.
Degrees Offered and Departments
Albany State University offers a variety of degree programs in a wide range of disciplines. The university has six academic departments, including the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Education and Health Sciences, the College of Business Administration and Public Policy, the School of Nursing, the School of Graduate Studies, and the School of Continuing Education.
The College of Arts and Sciences offers degrees in a number of areas including Art, Biology, Chemistry, Communication Studies, Computer Science and Information Systems, English Literature & Language Arts, History & Political Science, Mathematics & Statistics, and Psychology. These degrees are offered at both undergraduate as well as graduate levels. In addition to these degrees there are many certificate programs available in various fields such as Anthropology/Sociology/Cultural Studies; International Relations; Pre-Law; Women’s Studies; Environmental Studies; Creative Writing; Film & Media Production; Music Technology & Performance; Theatre Arts; and Visual Arts.
The College of Education & Health Sciences offers a variety of degree programs such as Early Childhood Education (ECE), Elementary Education (K-6), Secondary Education (7-12), Special Education (K-12), Educational Leadership (K-12), Counseling Psychology/Counselor Education (K-12), Exercise Science/Sports Medicine (K-12) , Health Promotion/Wellness Management (K-12), Nutrition Science/Dietetics (K-12) , Occupational Therapy Assistant Program, Physical Therapy Assistant Program, Speech Language Pathology Assistant Program, Occupational Therapy Program, Physical Therapy Program, Speech Language Pathology Program. All these degrees are offered at both undergraduate as well as graduate levels.
Rankings
Albany State University is ranked #1 in the state of Georgia for its affordability and #3 in the nation among HBCUs. The university also ranks high in student success, with a graduation rate of 65%, which is above the national average for HBCUs. In addition, Albany State University has earned a five-year default rate of just 2.7%, which is the lowest among Georgia public universities. The university also has an impressive retention rate of 74% and an impressive six-year graduation rate of 44%. Additionally, Albany State University has been recognized as one of the top 100 most affordable schools by US News & World Report. Furthermore, it ranks highly for its online programs with a score of 8/10 from US News & World Report and is ranked #2 in Georgia for its online bachelor’s degree programs. Additionally, Albany State University has been named one of the top 10 universities for minority students by U.S. News & World Report and was recently ranked #1 in the nation for African-American student graduation rates by Washington Monthly magazine. Finally, Albany State University is accredited by multiple regional accrediting agencies such as SACS (Southern Association of Colleges and Schools) and ABET (Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology). This recognition demonstrates that Albany State University provides quality education that meets or exceeds industry standards.
Admissions Requirements
Albany State University requires applicants to submit official transcripts from all colleges or universities attended. This includes high school transcripts for applicants who have not yet completed a college degree. Additionally, applicants must submit a completed application form and a non-refundable application fee. Official SAT or ACT scores are also required for freshman applicants and must be sent directly from the testing agency. For transfer students, an official transcript from their previous college is required as well as a minimum GPA of 2.0. Albany State University also requires all international students to submit proof of English proficiency through one of the following tests: TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE Academic. Lastly, any additional supporting documents required by the department being applied to must be included in the application packet.