Southern Utah University began as a small teacher training school in the late 1890s in Cedar City. Today, it is one of Utah's premier liberal arts and sciences university. The university is committed to delivering a personalized education through small class sizes, maximum student-teacher interactions and strong mentoring relationships. The university implements a unique academic practice into curriculum called Service Learning. This educational experience encourages students to participate in organized activities that meet community needs. Projects are assigned to students based on how well they will drive further understanding of course content and the general discipline. Many students also choose to get involved through the Community Engagement Center, which is one of the many student-run organizations available to join.
The 100 plus faculty members are respected scholars in their own fields. The student to faculty ratio of 20 to one. Over 1,700 students graduate each year with bachelor's and graduate degrees from the six colleges that offer almost 100 degrees. There are over 85 undergraduate degrees and ten graduate programs. For example, the Undergraduate Online program offers an Associate of Arts/Science in General Studies, an Associate in Paralegal Studies, a Bachelor in Accountancy, a Bachelor in Communication and a Bachelor in Management. More than 8,000 students attend the university every year. Approximately 60 percent of freshmen are accepted by the admissions department. Most incoming students have an average GPA of 3.5 and an average ACT score of 22. The graduation rate is over 50 percent, but it varies every year. Southern Utah University has over 17 athletic teams that compete in Division 1 of the NCAA.
Southern Utah University is located in an arid desert area in the southeast Great Basin. It is just 20 miles north of the Mojave Desert. There are 13 national and numerous state parks nearby. Outdoor recreation is the preferred choice among students. This includes hiking, camping, backpacking, rock climbing and mountain biking. The university is just one-hour away from Zion National Park and one and a half hours away from Bryce Canyon National Park. Both Las Vegas, which is in Nevada, and Salt Lake City, which is the capital of Utah, are within a three-hour drive. The raw, pristine beauty of Southern Utah is why many famous directors have used this location for filming certain scenes. These movies include Footloose, Forrest Gump, Planet of the Apes, Back to the Future 3, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade and Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.
Southern Utah University Accreditation Details
Southern Utah University is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. The School of Business has official accreditation through The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).
Southern Utah University Application Requirements
The admissions process is extremely simple and straightforward at Southern Utah University. First-time students who have not attended a college and want to apply for full-time position must submit a high school transcript and ACT or SAT scores. Transfer students must additionally submit official transcripts from all colleges attended. Those who have less than 24 credits completed after high school graduation must submit their high school transcript and ACT or SAT scores. Dual enrollment applicants, such as juniors and seniors taking classes while in high school, must simply submit their current transcript.
Southern Utah University Tuition and Financial Aid
Residents will pay $2,887 for tuition per semester. Non-residents will pay $9,527 per semester. There is a $378 student fee every semester. Financial grants are given based on need. Repayment is required if recipients withdraw prior to the end of the semester. All grants are only available to undergraduate students. There are Federal Pell Grants, Higher Education Success Stipend Grants (HESSPs) and Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOGs). There are non-resident academic scholarships available for freshman undergraduates. For example, the President's Renewable Scholarship awards full tuition for students who have a 3.5 GPA and rate 129 plus on the Admissions Index.
The Move Up Four Year Scholarship of $13,280 is renewable for four years. Recipients' Admissions Index must be from 116 to 128. The Centurium Scholarship awards $5,500 per year for students with a 3.0 GPA. Southern Utah University participates in the Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE). Recipients of the WUE award will pay just 150 percent of regular resident tuition. Only residents from certain states who are degree-seeking freshman or transfer students with at least 15 credits may apply to the WUE. These states include Arizona, Hawaii, Montana, Nevada, Washington and beautiful Oregon.
Online Degree(s) Available
Southern Utah University offers many great online degrees. The Associate of Applied Science in Paralegal Studies prepares students for careers in courts, law firms and the legal system. Students complete hands-on projects, analyze legal codes and gain experience in law legal research. Paralegals are trained to become legal assistants who will be employed and supervised by a credentialed attorney. Students learn how to conduct investigations, statistical analysis and documentary research. They learn how to perform client interviews and keep them aware of changes and requirements. Paralegal students are taught how to understand pleadings, depositions, court correspondence and testimony documents. Classes introduce students to court trials, administrative hearings, will executions and real estate closings. Students are taught how to carefully author and sign only certain correspondence. Paralegals cannot provide legal advice or give independent legal opinions.
The online bachelor in Communication gives students competitive advantages for their careers. A degree in communication helps students become effective professionals while developing technology, strategic thinking, relationship building and audience engagement skills. After graduation, students will have the ability to create social media tactics, develop marketing campaigns, deliver professional presentations and employ advanced writing techniques. They will gain hands on experience in communication fields that will help them secure jobs in politics, advertising, marketing and public relations. Students may earn either a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science with one of three specializations: media studies, communication studies and strategic communication. The communication degree comes with an optional internships for undergraduate juniors and seniors.
Southern Utah University also offers an AACSB-accredited Bachelor in Business Management online. This degree teaches students about leadership development, government contracting, organizational behavior and strategic entrepreneurship. Southern Utah University is an ideal academic location for students who love learning and the outdoors.