Amridge University
32°21′54.1″N 86°10′17.7″W / 32.365028°N 86.171583°W
| File:Amridge Seal.jpg | |
| Motto | “Where Traditional and Online Education Merge” |
|---|---|
| Type | Private |
| Established | 1967 |
| Endowment | US $174,505 |
| President | Rex A. Turner, Jr. |
| Undergraduates | 366 |
| Postgraduates | 346 |
| Location | , , |
| Campus | Urban, 9 acres (0.036 km2) |
| Affiliations | Churches of Christ |
| Website | www.amridgeuniversity.edu |
| File:Amridge Header.gif | |
Amridge University is an accredited private university located in Montgomery, Alabama affiliated with the Churches of Christ and founded in 1967 as the Alabama Christian School of Religion. Its primary purpose has historically been as a theological seminary to train ministers in Bible and Christian Counseling. However, it has expanded to offer other degrees. Seminary training continues to be the primary purpose, now offered in the university's Turner School of Theology, named in honor of founder Rex Allwin Turner, Sr. and his wife Opal Shipp Turner. All levels of ministry and theological degrees are available. Amridge offers residential and online education opportunities with some face-to-face time requisites.[1]
History
Key institutional events
- 1942 Montgomery Bible School, founded by Rex Allwin Turner, Sr., Calvin Leonard Johnson, and Joseph B. “Joe” Greer, offered both high school and first year college courses, and became a junior college with an elementary and secondary department
- 1949 Expanded curricula to include a third year of Bible and related courses
- 1953 Granted first baccalaureate degrees
- 1954 Institution’s name changed to Alabama Christian College
- 1966 Discontinued upper‑level program in religious studies to satisfy accreditation requirements as a junior college
- High school department became Alabama Christian Academy, a regionally accredited elementary and secondary school
- Junior college department became what today is Faulkner University[2]
- 1967 Alabama Christian School of Religion founded – which today is Amridge University – to assume the upper-level program, offering classes in the new facilities of the College Church of Christ at 5315 Atlanta Highway
- 1972 Expanded curricula to include graduate degree programs
- 1974 Moved to new property jointly purchased with the Landmark Church of Christ at 6020 Atlanta Highway
- 1977 Expanded curricula to include a three‑year graduate program offering the Master of Theology degree
- 1985 Applied for accredited membership in the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
- 1988 Replaced the Master of Theology degree to conform to standard nomenclature and practice with the Master of Divinity degree, generally recognized as the first professional degree in ministry
- 1987 Sold its interest in the jointly owned property to the Landmark Church of Christ and built its own new campus on nine acres of land well situated on Interstate 85 alongside Auburn University at Montgomery. The School of Religion moved to this new campus at 1200 Taylor Road that summer.
- 1989 Received accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to grant degrees at the bachelor’s and master’s levels
- 1991 Institution’s name changed to Southern Christian University to reflect the widened geographical area served by the institution and emphasized the academic level and the emerging direction of the institution
- 1992 Expanded curricula by adding the Doctor of Ministry degree and the distance-learning program
- 1994 Reaffirmation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools including the two aforementioned substantive changes
- 1994 Changes in Alabama state licensure law in Family Therapy grandfathered the institution to permit reconfiguration of its counseling program
- 1999 Selected by the US Department of Education to help pilot the Distance Education Demonstration Program[3]
- 2002 Purchased 185 acres of land alongside Interstate 85, located 15 miles from the main campus to accommodate future growth
- 2003 Southern Association of Colleges and Schools approved Doctor of Philosophy in Family Therapy degree program
- 2005 Decadal reaffirmation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools including the following substantive changes in its curricula
- Bachelor of Science in Business Administration – General Business
- Bachelor of Science in Business Administration – Information Communication
- Bachelor of Science in Business Administration – Information Systems Management
- Doctor of Philosophy in Biblical Studies degree
- 2006 Southern Association of Colleges and Schools approved Associate of Arts degree program
- 2006 Institution’s name changed to Regions University
- 2008 Institution’s name changed to Amridge University
Presidents
Academics
- Amridge University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools since 1989 to award Associate of Arts, Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Master of Arts, Master of Science, Master of Divinity, Doctor of Ministry, and Doctor of Philosophy degrees
- The Alabama Department of Postsecondary Education has authorized Amridge University to operate a private school pursuant to the Alabama Private School License Law
- The Tennessee Higher Education Commission has authorized Amridge University, which must be renewed each year and is based on an evaluation by minimum standards concerning quality of education, ethical business practices, health and safety, and fiscal responsibility
- Amridge University’s Turner School of Theology is an Associate Member of the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada (ATS)
- Amridge University is authorized under federal law to enroll nonimmigrant students
Programs of study
Majors. In keeping with its Christian heritage, Amridge University provides educational opportunities through five schools that each have its own special purpose within the overall purpose and institutional goals of the University.
- College of Business and Leadership
- Bachelor of Science in Business Administration - General Business
- Bachelor of Science in Business Administration - Information Communication
- Bachelor of Science in Business Administration - Information Systems Management
- Master of Science in Leadership and Management
- Master of Arts in Behavioral Leadership and Management
- College of General Studies
- Associate of Arts in Liberal Studies
- Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies
- Bachelor of Science in Human Development
- Bachelor of Science in Human Resource Leadership
- Bachelor of Science in Liberal Studies
- Bachelor of Science in Management Communication
- Bachelor of Science in Ministry/Bible
- Bachelor of Science in Public Safety and Business/Organization Security
- Bachelor of Science in Public Safety and Criminal Justice
- Bachelor of Science in Public Safety and Homeland Security
- School of Human Services
- Master of Science in Pastoral Counseling
- Master of Science in Ministerial Leadership
- Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy
- Master of Arts in Professional Counseling
- Master of Divinity in Marriage and Family Therapy
- Master of Divinity in Professional Counseling
- Master of Divinity in Pastoral Counseling
- Master of Divinity in Ministerial Leadership
- Doctor of Ministry in Family Therapy I
- Doctor of Ministry in Family Therapy II
- Doctor of Philosophy in Marriage and Family Therapy
- Doctor of Philosophy in Professional Counseling
- Turner School of Theology
- Master of Arts in Biblical Studies
- Master of Arts in Practical Theology
- Master of Divinity
- Doctor of Ministry
- Doctor of Philosophy in Biblical Studies
- School of Continuing Education
Memberships and affiliations
- Alabama Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (ALACRAO)
- Alabama Association of Independent Colleges & Universities (AAICU)
- Alabama Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (AASFAA)
- Alabama Planned Giving Council (APGC)
- American Association of Presidents of Independent Colleges and Universities (AAPICU)
- American Association of Veterans Affairs (AAVA)
- American Council on Education (ACE)
- American Theological Users Group (ATUG)
- Association of Fund Raising Professionals (AFP)
- Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada (ATS)
- Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL)
- Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support (DANTES)
- National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO)
- National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (NAICU)
- National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA)
- National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA)
- National Committee on Planned Giving (NCPG)
- Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges (SOC)
- Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges for the Coast Guard (SOCCOAST)
- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
- Southern Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (SASFAA)
Facilities
Campuses
The institution’s main campus in Montgomery, Alabama lies alongside Auburn University Montgomery just north of Interstate 85 at the Taylor Road exit. The campus consists of a single two-story complex, the Morgan W. Brown Building, that houses classrooms and the library on the ground floor and administrative offices upstairs. Classrooms are equipped with extensive multimedia equipment to allow live Internet streaming of instruction and lecture. Instructors can also transmit computer data, video, or still pictures. Each student's desk has a computer workstation. There is building-wide Wi-Fi access.
Additionally, Amridge University maintains satellite campuses in Phoenix, Arizona and Nashville, Tennessee.
Libraries
The Amridge University library features a large collection of religious books and theological reference works. It holds 80,000 titles, 1,200 serial subscriptions, and 800 audiovisual materials.[4] The library is linked with other libraries across the US to ensure availability of books that may be borrowed through interlibrary lending. Its card catalog is accessible for online searching by students, faculty, and staff.
Controversies
Recent name changes
On August 2, 2006, Southern Christian University’s board of regents voted to change the institution’s name to Regions University. They expected this would enhance the institution’s opportunities, complementing its purpose and vision while expanding its scope of educational and religious heritage to all the regions of the world. The name change, however, sparked a civil lawsuit by Regions Financial Corporation filed on September 29, 2006 for trademark infringement.[5] Apparently, Southern Christian University conducted little or no investigation into using the Regions name. Consequently, on January 31, 2008, the board of regents resolved to change the institution’s name again, this time to Amridge University, preserving its mission and vision to expand its operations worldwide.[6]
Disgruntled student
In 2007, a former student – a non-practicing Jew – filed a civil lawsuit against Amridge University for religious discrimination and breach of contract by failing to provide a complete education. The institution allegedly refused to answer the complaint citing lack of jurisdiction because its brick and mortar business was in Alabama and the student lived in Delaware. Amridge University also supposedly claimed it was merely an “information website.” The student argued personal jurisdiction in internet cases because the institution advertises itself both on its website and in printed mailings as providing “live distance learning.” The pending case has been moved to the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit.[7]
Further reading
- Adkins, R. M. (1998). The differences in students' perception of learning between extended learning program students and on-campus students at Southern Christian University. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, Auburn University, Auburn, AL
- Carnevale, D. (2002). Questions linger over rise and fall of online program. Chronicle of Higher Education, 48(21), A27.
- McQueen, A., & Wright, S. W. (1999). Distance learning just got a little easier. Community College Week, 11(24), 28.
- Peterson's (2004). Guide to four-year colleges 2005. pp. 2404-2405. ISBN:0768913799.
- Smith, N. C., & Jackson, J. F. L. (2004). Religious institutions in the United States: Research challenges. New Directions for Institutional Research, 2004(124), 31-48.
- Waller, S., & Waller, L. (2004). Higher education doctoral degrees of certain American clergy: Ethics and antics. Christian Higher Education, 3(2), 171-183.
References
- ^ National Center for Education Statistics (2008). Amridge University. Retrieved April 29, 2008, from http://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=100690.
- ^ Foster, D. A., Blowers, P. M., Dunnavant, A. L., & Williams, D. W. (Eds.; 2005). The encyclopedia of the Stone-Campbell Movement. Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans Publishing. p. 333. ISBN:0802838987.
- ^ Martin, V. D. W. (1999). Colleges picked for project on aid to distance-learning students. Chronicle of Higher Education, 45(44), A34.
- ^ Peterson's (2007). Colleges in the South 2008. p. 52. Lawrenceville, NJ: Nelnet. ISBN:0768924197.
- ^ Regions Asset Company, Plaintiff v. Regions University, Inc., Defendant. Civ. No. 2:2006cv00882. Alabama Middle District Court.
- ^ Clifton, M. (2008, February 6). Regions University undergoes name change. BrotherhoodNews.com. Retrieved April 29, 2008, from http://gospelnews.wordpress.com/2008/02/06/regions-university-undergoes-name-change/.
- ^ Joan T. Kloth, Plaintiff, v. Southern Christian University, Board of Directors, Defendants. Civ. No. 06-244-SLR. US District Court for the District of Delaware.