University of West Alabama: Courses, Admission, Cost

The University of West Alabama is a reputable co-educational public university in Livingston, Alabama. It was founded in 1835 as a church-supported school for young women and was called The Livingston Female Academy. In the 1990s, the name was changed to the University of West Alabama (UWA). It is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

The beautiful 600-acre campus has nature trails and a 54-acre lake that's stocked for fishing. It’s also recognized as being one of the safest college campuses in the nation. The University offers more than 60 undergraduate programs and 20 graduate programs. Popular majors at the university include Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, Teacher Education, Multiple Levels; Engineering Technologies and Engineering-Related Fields, Kinesiology and Exercise Science; and Business Administration and Management. The university also offers dual degree programs in Conservation and Field Biology and Wildlife Dual Degree, Mathematics and Engineering Dual Degree, Sociology and Social Work Dual Degree, Conservation and Field Biology and Forestry Dual Degree. Apart from classroom learning, students can also enroll in the university's online degree programs.

The university comprises College of Business, Julia Tutwiler College of Education, College of Liberal Arts, College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Division of Online Programs, Division of Technology, Ira D. Pruitt Division of Nursing, and School of Graduate Studies. Presently, the university has approximately 2261 on-campus students, of which 76% are women and 24% are men. Additionally, it has an average of 30 students in every class and the student to faculty ratio measures to 13:1. The Julia Tutwiler Library houses the University’s collection of books, periodicals, and other materials. It contains over 260,000 volumes of books, bound journals, and microforms.

The university has its weekly newspaper, which is run by its students and advised by the UWA faculty. The newspaper is called "Muse." The first publication was way back in 1940 and was called "Livingston Life" until 1995, after which it took its current name. The University of West Alabama offers campus residences to students. The University also has a strong sports culture, and many of its students have gone on to excel in their respective sport. The university has as many as 13 teams in addition to a women's soccer team. The men and women's athletics teams are called "West Alabama Tigers." The football team is a member of the NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics).

Many students from UWA have gone on to become successful in their respective careers. Some of them include Andrew Kilgore - former Ambassador to Qatar, and sportspersons like Jeff Branson, Johnny Shepherd, Deon Lacey, Seth Roberts, Malcolm Butler, and Otha Foster.