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Birmingham-Southern College Catalog 2015-2016
GENERAL INFORMATION
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commissioners, the two conferences consolidated these institutions under
the name of Birmingham-Southern College. With no loss of time from the
regular work at either place, the consolidation was effected, and the new
institution opened its doors in Birmingham on September 11, 1918. Since
that time, Birmingham-Southern College has grown rapidly and is now a
fully accredited institution in every way.
Birmingham-Southern College has consistently sought academic
distinction. In 1937, its standards were recognized by the nation’s leading
academic honor society, Phi Beta Kappa, which granted the College a
charter to establish Beta of Alabama.
The College continues to pursue academic distinction, but not academic
distinction alone. The founders insisted that excellent scholarship
prepared young people for a life of service. Southern University’s first
president, William M. Wightman, put it this way to the second graduating
class: “The great point to be considered is, not so much what you shall
get
, as much as what you
shall
become—what you shall
do
to bless your
generation.” Birmingham-Southern College remains committed to that
ideal.
ACCREDITATION AND MEMBERSHIPS
Birmingham-Southern College is accredited by the Southern Association
of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) (1866
Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097; telephone number 404-679-
4500) to award bachelor’s degrees.
The College is also accredited by the University Senate of the United
Methodist Church.
Programs of the College are accredited and/or approved by the following
organizations:
Alabama State Department of Education
American Chemical Society
Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation
National Association of Schools of Music
The College holds membership in the following organizations:
American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education
American Council on Education
Annapolis Group