Faculty and Accreditation

In their educational preparation, Samford faculty members have earned degrees in more than 180 colleges and universities in the United States, Canada, France, England, Scotland, Korea, and South Africa. They share experiences and knowledge with students in a well-rounded, fully-accredited academic program which leads to a liberal education, a deep appreciation of cultural pursuits, and a sound background for graduate and professional study.

Both freshmen and advanced students are taught by mature scholars who have broad experience in stimulating the young student as well as in directing the specialist.

Samford University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award the Associate Degree, the Bachelor's Degree, the Master's Degree, the Specialist in Education Degree, the Doctor of Pharmacy Degree, the Juris Doctor, the Doctor of Ministry Degree, and the Doctor of Education Degree. This status was most recently reaffirmed in 1996, continuing a relationship which Samford has enjoyed with the Southern Association since 1920.

In addition to SACS accreditation, the appropriate professional schools at Samford are accredited by such agencies as AACSB International - The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, the American Bar Association, the American Council on Pharmaceutical Education, the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education, the National Association of Schools of Music, American Dietetic Association, Association of Theological Schools, Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs, Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, and Foundation for Interior Design Education Research.

Beyond this, the University holds membership in a host of educational organizations, including ACHE Council of Graduate Deans, Alabama Association of Independent Colleges, Alabama Commission of Higher Education, Alabama Council for International Programs, American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education, American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy, American Association of Higher Education, American Association of University Women, American Council of Learned Societies, American Council on Education, American Library Association, Association of Alabama College Administrators, Association of American Colleges, Association of American Law Schools, Association of Church Related Colleges, Association of College & Research Libraries, Association of Southern Baptist Colleges and Schools, Association of Urban Universities, Birmingham Area Consortium for Higher Education [BACHE], Cooperative Services International Education Consortium, Network of Alabama Academic Libraries, and Southern Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admission Officers. For a complete list, see the current catalog.

Samford University is approved by the Alabama Department of Education for the training of teachers, school administrators, supervisors, and counselors. The paralegal program is approved by the American Bar Association Standing Committee on Legal Assistants. The School of Nursing is approved by the Alabama Board of Nursing.