Graduate Catalog: 2012-2013 - Alabama A&M University

MISSION STATEMENTAlabama Agricultural and Mechanical Universityreflects the uniqueness of the traditional land-grantinstitution, combining teaching, research service,liberal arts, and vocational fields. The Universityoffers baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral degreesthat are current with the times to all qualified andcapable individuals who are interested in furtherdeveloping their technical, scientific, professional,and scholastic skills and competencies. Theuniversity operates in the three-fold function ofteaching, research, and extension and other publicservices. Alabama A&M University, a center ofexcellence, provides an educational environment forthe emergence of scholars, scientists, leaders, criticalthinkers, and other contributors to a global society. Incooperation with business, industry, governmentalagencies, and other private and community-basedinstitutions, Alabama A&M University provides alaboratory where theory is put into practice globally.Alabama A&M University is committed to:1. Excellence in education and the creation of ascholarly environment in which inquiring anddiscriminating minds will be nourished.2. Education of students for effectiveparticipation in local, state, regional, national,and international societies.3. Search for new knowledge through researchand its applications.4. Provision of a comprehensive outreachprogram designed to meet the changing needsof the larger community outside the campus.5. Programs necessary to adequately address themajor needs and problems of capable studentswho have experienced limited access toeducation.6. Integration of state-of-the art technology intoall aspects of University functions.STUDENT LIFEAlabama A&M University’s mission is to provide“excellence in education and a scholarly environmentin which inquiring and discriminating minds may benourished.” But this mission extends beyond theclassroom walls into student and campus life. To aidin the overall educational experience, the A&MOffice of Residential Life and Housing worksdiligently to provide quality and comfortable livingaccommodations with a plethora of amenities tomake your stay convenient. During your stay atA&M, enjoy your residential life experience and takefull advantage of this educational opportunity. Extracurricularclubs and activities help build therelationships that are part of the college experience.Other services enrich the classroom experience, orprovide for your health, well-being, and safety whileyou are a student at Alabama A&M University.ALUMNIAmong an extensive list of distinguished alumniare: John Stallworth, former Pittsburgh Steelers andPro Football Hall of Famer, William E. Cox,publisher of Diverse Issues in Higher Education,and Ruben Studdard, former “American Idol.”THE SCHOOL OF GRADUATE STUDIESThe basic purpose of the Graduate School is to offercollege graduates an opportunity to extend theirgeneral and technical knowledge in specific fields; toincrease their professional skills; and to becomeacquainted with the tools and practices of research.All students in the School of Graduate Studies workunder the direction of the Graduate Council. Nomajor deviations from published graduate regulationsare permissible unless they are approved by theCouncil.10