OVERVIEW

Auburn University is a public university in Auburn, Alabama. It is one of the largest universities in the United States, with over 25,000 students and 1,200 faculty members. With AU or Auburn as the short names, the university is one of the few universities as a land-grant, space-grant and sea-grant research center in the United States.

Auburn University was founded in 1856 as the East Alabama Male College, which is a private liberal arts school. It was renamed as Auburn University in 1960, to acknowledge the various academic programs and larger curriculum of a major university. Its 1,843-acre suburban campus is arranged in a grid pattern, housing the administrative, academic and residential buildings and some other facilities.

Auburn offers degrees in bachelor’s, post-bachelor’s certificate, master’s, post-master’s certificate, and doctorate’s programs. About 51 percent full-time students are enrolled in service learning programs, and 22 percent undergraduates in research/creative projects.

The mission of Auburn University is:

Auburn University’s mission is defined by its land-grant traditions of service and access. The University will serve the citizens of the State through its instructional, research and outreach programs and prepare Alabamians to respond successfully to the challenges of a global economy. The University will provide traditional and non-traditional students broad access to the institution’s educational resources. In the delivery of educational programs on campus and beyond, the University will draw heavily upon the new instructional and outreach technologies available in the emerging information age. As a comprehensive university, Auburn University is committed to offering high-quality undergraduate, graduate, and professional education to its students. The University will give highest priority for resource allocation for the future development of those areas that represent the traditional strengths, quality, reputation, and uniqueness of the institution and that continue to effectively respond to the needs of students and other constituents. Consistent with this commitment, the University will emphasize a broad and superior undergraduate education that imparts the knowledge, skills, and values so essential to educated and responsible citizens. At the same time, the University will provide high-quality graduate and professional programs in areas of need and importance to the state and beyond. To accomplish these educational goals, Auburn University will continue to compete nationally to attract a faculty distinguished by its commitment to teaching and by its achievements in research, both pure and applied. The University will strive to attract a faculty that will bring distinction and stature to the undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs offered by the University. Because research is essential to the mission of a land-grant university, Auburn University will continue development of its research programs. The primary focus of this research will be directed to the solution of problems and the development of knowledge and technology important to the state and nation and to the quality of life of Alabama citizens. The University’s research programs will make important contributions to instructional programs through the involvement of graduate and undergraduate students and the renewal of the faculty. Research will also provide the knowledge base for outreach programs. In carrying out its research mission, the University will emphasize established areas of strength and will focus available resources in those areas of research and doctoral study that are, or have the potential to develop into nationally and internationally recognized centers of excellence. Extension and outreach programs are fundamental to the land-grant mission because these programs directly affect the lives of all citizens in the state. The University will maintain the strengths of its traditional outreach programs and will increasingly involve the broader University in outreach programs that respond to the changing needs of the society in which we live. The University will continue to seek new and innovative ways to reach out to the people it serves.

ACCREDITATION

Auburn is accredited by the Commission of Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award Bachelor’s, First Professional, Master’s, Educational Specialist, and Doctor’s degrees.

ACADEMICS

Auburn comprises 14 schools and colleges:

1. College of Agriculture
2. College of Architecture, Design & Construction
3. College of Business
4. College of Education
5. Samuel Ginn College of Engineering
6. School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences
7. Graduate School
8. Honors College
9. College of Human Sciences
10. College of Liberal Arts
11. School of Nursing
12. Harrison School of Pharmacy
13. College of Sciences and Mathematics
14. College of Veterinary Medicine

The most popular majors and course of study for students are as follows:

1. Business, management, marketing, and related support services
2. Engineering
3. Education
4. Biological and biomedical sciences
5. Social sciences

Auburn is listed in the 2011 edition of US News & World Report as No. 82 among public and private universities in the United States, and 37th among public universities. In addition, it is also the only university in Alabama which was included in the inaugural edition of Peterson’s Guides to America’s 296 Most Competitive Colleges.

The undergraduates in Auburn are required to take some core courses before graduation, which is recognized as one of the best in the United States. The core curriculum includes arts, philosophy, history, sciences, social sciences, humanities, computer literacy, mathematics, and English.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

For applicants, the admission standards are based on the quality of high school grades, and the ACT or SAT scores. Besides, the application needs to be done online, with the official high school transcripts and application fees submitted.

COSTS AND FINANCIAL AID

The annual in-state tuition is USD 7,008, and out-of-state tuition USD 21,024. The room and board cost about USD 9,630, and the book expense is about USD 1,100 on average.

At Auburn, it is not so hard to finish your campus learning, as a range of financial aids are offered, which include loans, grants, federal work study, scholarships, SU office of veteran’s affairs’ services, and other resources. About 63 percent freshmen and 54 percent undergraduates receive certain kind of need-based financial aids.