AAMU – US Ranking, Tuition Details, Get An Postgraduate Degree/ Diploma Details
Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University (often called Alabama A&M, formerly the State Normal and Industrial School of Huntsville and State Agricultural and Mechanical Institute for Negroes) is a public, historically black, land-grant university located in Normal, a neighbourhood of Huntsville, Alabama, United States. AAMU is a member-school of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund and has been accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Founded in the 1870s as a normal school, it took its present name in 1969. Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University Historic District, also known as Normal Hill College Historic District, has 28 buildings and 4 structures listed in the United States National Register of Historic Places.
Alabama A&M University Details:
Official Website: www.aamu.edu
History:
Teacher and schoolmaster William Hooper Council won approval for his plan for the Huntsville State Normal School for Negroes, established by an act of the Alabama State Legislature in 1875. The school opened on May 1, 1875, at a church on Eustis Street, with instruction for 61 teaching students overseen by Principal Council, assisted by Rev. Alfred Hunt. By 1878, the state appropriation increased from $1,000 to $2,000 and the school expanded its enrolment and curriculum.
In 1881, the faculty pooled money from their salaries to purchase two and a half acres (1.0 ha) on West Clinton Street. In 1885 the school, now with around 180 students, changes its name to State Normal and Industrial School of Huntsville, after the earlier addition of programs for sewing, printing, carpentry, mattress making and gardening. By 1890, the school site became known as Normal, Alabama, and a post office was established. In 1891, the school was designated as a land-grant college through legislative enactment under the terms of the Morrill Act of 1890. In 1896, its name was changed to The State Agricultural and Mechanical College for Negroes. In 1919, the school became the State Agricultural and Mechanical Institute for Negroes. In 1948 it was renamed the Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical College. AAMU became fully accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools in 1963. In June 1969, the school adopted its current name.
The new millennium saw the construction of the West Campus Complex, the erection of the 21,000-seat Louis Crews Stadium, the renovations of buildings and the moving of athletic programs to the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC). The School of Engineering and Technology facility was built in 2002, and the Ph.D. program in Reading and Literacy was established. Andrew Hugine was approved by the Board of Trustees as the 11th president on June 18, 2009. In 2015, the Board of Trustees approved out-of-state scholarships for the Fall 2016 semester. The scholarships are contingent on prospective students meeting various academic qualifications.
Student Services and Facilities:
Campus:
The campus grounds were designed by the Olmsted Brothers firm. The J.F. Drake Memorial Learning Resources Center was renovated in 2002, adding over 15,000 square feet (1,400 m²), an interactive Distance Learning Auditorium, conference, study and class rooms, lounges, and computer lab. The State Black Archives Research Center and Museum is located in the James H. Wilson Building, a national registered historical structure. Louis Crews Stadium is the sixth largest stadium in Alabama. Elmore Gymnasium is home to the basketball teams, and was once rated as one of the toughest places for opponents to play. In 1994, the Mamie Foster Student Living/Learning Complex was erected. Groundbreaking was held for the School of Business facility in 1995 and Louis Crews Stadium and Ernest L. Knight Complex Residence Hall construction began. The Engineering and Technology building known as Bond Hall was completed in 2002 and opened for classes in January 2003. The campus is served by the Bulldog Transit Shuttle bus system. A new 600-bed residence hall was constructed and opened for students January 2018. The Normal Historic Preservation Association was incorporated on April 15, 2009, to help preserve and protect the Alabama A&M University National Historic District.
Academics:
- 41 Baccalaureate, 23 Master’s, 1 EdS and 4 doctoral degrees offered.
- Degrees conferred: BA, BGS, BS, BSCE, BSEE, BSET, BSME, EdS, MBA, MEd, MEng, MS, MSW, MURP, PhD.
- Honors Program available for academically exceptional undergraduate students.
Colleges and schools:
- College of Agricultural, Life and Natural Sciences
- College of Business and Public Affairs
- College of Education, Humanities, and Behavioral Sciences
- College of Engineering, Technology and Physical Sciences
- School of Graduate Studies
Faculty:
- 20:1 student-faculty ratio
- Fewer than 40 students in 86 percent of courses
- 348 faculty members across all undergraduate, graduate and professional programs
Students:
- From 44 states and 11 foreign countries
- 5,628 undergraduates and 1,123 graduate students, (Fall 2015).
- 42 percent first-time college students
- Middle 50th percentile on ACT: 17–18
- 93 student clubs and organizations
- 75 percent student participation in community service projects
National Space Science and Technology Centre:
The National Space Science and Technology Centre (NSSTC) is a joint research venture between NASA, Alabama A&M and six other research universities of the state of Alabama, represented by the Space Science and Technology Alliance. The aim of the NSSTC is to foster collaboration in research between government, academia, and industry.
Student life:
The Office of Student Activities and Leadership Development (OSALD) provides services, programs and co-curricular experiences that provide students with opportunities to develop skills, improve leadership competencies, and enrich their college experience. OSALD has oversight of and provides assistance to several student-led organisations:
- Programs and Activities Council
- Student Government Association
- National Pan-Hellenic Council
- Social Greek Council
- Student Publications
Athletics:
Alabama A&M’s sports teams participate in NCAA Division I (Football Championship Subdivision, formerly I-AA for football) in the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC). Alabama A&M’s colors are maroon and white and their mascot is the Bulldog. The Alabama A&M Department of Athletics sponsors men’s intercollegiate basketball, football, baseball, cross country, golf, tennis and track & field along with women’s intercollegiate tennis, basketball, soccer, track, cross country, bowling, volleyball and softball. Also offered are men’s and women’s swimming clubs. The football team’s home games are played at Louis Crews Stadium. Both men’s and women’s basketball home games are played in Elmore Gymnasium, affectionately known by fans as “The Dog House.
Media:
Alabama A&M University is the licensee for National Public Radio affiliate station WJAB 90.9, which operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week on campus. WJAB airs various public affairs programming, as well as live coverage of Bulldog athletic events.
Organisation and Structure:
- AAMU Marching Maroon & White (marching band)
- The Dancin’ Divas (marching band dance team)
- Fabulous Flags (marching band flag team)
- AAMU Cheerleaders
- AAMU Gospel Choir
- Sigma Tau Epsilon professional fraternity Rho chapter
- Phi Beta Lambda business fraternity, Xi Xi chapter
- Eta Kappa Tau Engineering and Technology Fraternity, Alpha chapter
- Alpha Phi Omega service fraternity, Pi Epsilon chapter
- Nu Rho Sigma fine arts fraternity, Alpha Alpha chapter
- Sigma Alpha Iota music fraternity for women, Theta Zeta chapter
- Tau Beta Sigma honorary band sorority, Theta Iota chapter
- Voluptuous Bulldog Beauties (VBB)-Women’s Plus Size Organization, and Dance Team
- AAMU Southern Belles
- The Collegiate 100 Black Men Of America
- Student Government Association
- AAMU Democrats
- AAMU University Choir
- M.A.N.U.P “Men of America Nurturing and Ushering Progress”
- Marketing Club
- Math Club
- MBA Association
- Poetry Club
- Ward Modeling Troop, Incorporated
- House Arrest Two Championship Dance Team Incorporated
- Trendsetters Fashion Club
- Alima Dance Company
- Student Health Alliance
- P.O.W.E.R.(Placing Opportunities Within Everyone’s Reach) Mentor Program
- Forestry club/ Fire dawgs
Content accurate at the time of compilation. However, details may be subject to change. You should always confirm details with the provider. Student statistics are sourced from HESA, the Higher Education Statistics Agency, 2016–17 data.