The University of North Alabama ( UNA ) is a coeducational university located in Florence , Alabama , and the state 's oldest four-year public university .
A 130 - acre ( 0.5 km2 ) campus in a residential section of Florence , UNA is located in a four - city area and also Tuscumbia , Sheffield and Muscle Shoals . The four cities comprise a metropolitan area with a combined population of 140,000 people .
The University of North Alabama , his 175th anniversary in 2005 was celebrated , many sweeping changes undergone in the course of its long history . Originally founded as LaGrange College in 1830 , it was re-established in 1872 as the first state -supported Education College south of the Ohio River . A year later , it was one of the country's first coeducational colleges
Within the past half century, the University of North Alabama to develop a comprehensive regional university a great influence on the cultural , social and economic life of Northwest Alabama practice and providing educational opportunities for students pursuing undergraduate and graduate majors offered by the College of Arts and Sciences , Business , Education and Nursing and Health .
UNA has a strong commitment to improving academic quality , an attempt to perhaps reflected in the 2008 edition of U.S. News and World Report 's America 's Best Colleges , which ranked the university as a top tier public university .
UNA also continued growth in 2009 has undergone, with 7,243 undergraduate and graduate students enrolled for the fall semester .
Academic programs :
Undergraduate programs :
The University of North Alabama offers more than 60 majors through its four colleges .
Graduate programs :
The University of North Alabama offers graduate programs in business administration , criminal justice , English , community counseling , health promotion and human performance , special education , basic education , secondary education , and educational administration .
Recently, the Alabama Commission on Higher Education UNA 's proposal for a master of arts in history approved .
The advanced degree program , which began accepting students in spring 2007 , offered a full course load this fall . The university expects the program , which was established in part to domestic demand as a way to meet between 15 and 20 new students each year will attract . Dr Evan Ward , director of the program , said that all the instructors are engaged in historical research and the quality of teaching will oppose those of institutions offering similar courses of study.
Notable academic programs :
The University of North Alabama was the first major university, a four - year degree in commercial music , which is one of the University 's most successful programs to offer - one that is enhanced by the development of the UNA Entertainment Industry Center and the addition of a major entertainment industry . In later years , UNA transitioned the entertainment center into a fully functioning academic department . The Department of Entertainment industry offers degrees in Business and Entertainment Technology Entertainment . The department has recently moved off campus in the center of Florence next to Noiseblock Music Group . UNA commercial music majors in record industry interned offices in Nashville , New York , Los Angeles , London , Stockholm , and nearby Muscle Shoals , world famous for its recording industry .
Ironically enough UNA nationally recognized commercial music program claiming one of the most successful recording artists ever associated with the university .
Speaking in January 2006 , as a guest speaker for the University of Georgia 's business music certificate program , former University of North Alabama student Patterson Hood , songwriter and front man for the nationally known Southern rock band Drive -by Truckers , said he would welcome the opportunity to enroll in a music business program rather than his career built through trial and error . The Florence native had tried but failed to get into UNA nationally acclaimed commercial music program . " They will not let me," he said , still visibly affected by the memory . Hood 's father , world-renowned bassist David Hood , also attended UNA .
UNA is one of only 11 schools nationwide that offer an undergraduate degree in industrial hygiene .
In 2007 , UNA announced that it would be a different course add to its curriculum - culinary arts - after approval by the Alabama Commission on Higher Education in June. The University is the first four -year public institution in the state as a program to offer .
Other programs of the University characterizes as " unique region " includes marine biology and hospitality management programs .
The University honors program :
The University of North Alabama honors program was established in 2005 and recently graduated its first cohort effect , the class of 2009 . The honors program is a leading option for exceptional students from colleges and majors on campus . Open primarily first-year students and transfer a limited basis , the honors program consists of 27 credit hours of course work , social and cultural enrichment programming, a house , a civic engagement component , travel opportunities , scholarships , and a capstone project during the senior year . The Capstone Project consists of a final project in the major field of study by independent research and / or junior and senior seminars .
Honors faculty enthusiasm for teaching , knowledge in their discipline and commitment to student learning . Student applicants are recruited from all over the southeast and evaluated on a holistic basis using standardized test scores , GPA , community service , leadership and writing skills . Students accepted into the program , then a 3.25 grade point average to maintain and participate in program events . Graduate diplomas are entitled to the distinction of " honors " to receive and receive special designation on their transcripts .
