Union University

Union University

Union University of Jackson, Tennessee is a private, four-year, coeducational liberal arts university offering bachelors, masters and doctoral degrees. Founded in 1823 shortly after the opening of West Tennessee for settlement, Union is the oldest institution affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention. The roots of Union University can actually be traced back to three antebellum schools – West Tennessee College, Jackson Male Academy, and Union University – and it is the inheritor of another college in 1927, Hall-Moody Junior College.

Union University’s core values are synonymous with those of many home educators:

Excellence-Driven: Students grow spiritually and academically under professors who impact their lives with rigorous academic training. The student-faculty ratio is 12:1, and 83% of faculty members have earned the highest possible degree in their field. Homeschooled Union graduates are pursuing master’s and doctorate degrees at universities such as Notre Dame, Vanderbilt, Purdue and Baylor.

Christ-Centered: Union integrates the Christian faith with top-tier academics in a way that is rare in the world of higher education. Whether studying accounting or art, engineering or English, students understand their role in that field within the context of a Christian worldview. Combine this type of classroom experience with outstanding chapel services and student ministries, and the result is a comprehensive approach to life and learning.

People-Focused: From the moment freshmen arrive on campus, they begin building friendships that can last a life-time through FOCUS, residence life activities, and Life Groups. Over 70 campus organizations provide opportunities to get involved at Union. Students are dinner guests in the homes of their professors. Faculty members enjoy conversations with students over coffee at Barefoots Joe, a favorite gathering place for students.

Future-Directed: With about 4,000 undergraduate and graduate students from more than 40 states and 35 countries, at Union we are preparing the next generation of shapers and thinkers. We are equipping tomorrow’s leaders to integrate intellectual thought and Christian truth into their life service. Students hear internationally recognized speakers, conduct research, and grapple with ideas in more than 100 programs of study.

In the past decade, more than $90 million in improvements to the Jackson campus have been completed, including 19 residence halls, the Miller Tower, Jennings Hall, Hammons Hall, Fesmire indoor and outdoor athletic facilities, White Hall, and the Carl Grant Events Center.

Besides the traditional academic offerings, undergraduate majors have been added in political science, physics, theology, digital media studies, church history, ethics, sports management, sports medicine, and engineering. There are new graduate programs in education (M.Ed., Ed.S., and Ed.D.), nursing, intercultural studies, and social work in addition to pharmacy (Pharm.D.), Doctor of Ministry (D.Min), and Doctor of Nursing Practice (D.N.P.) programs.

About 10% of incoming freshman students were home educated. Union University and homeschoolers are a great match because homeschoolers not only fit in at Union, they excel. The Elizabeth Tigrett Medal is the most prestigious academic award at Union. The entire faculty votes on the award, and it is given to only one graduating senior each year. In the past six years, four of the six recipients were homeschooled. Union students who were home educated have participated and led in a variety of campus activities including research, media, theater, academics, residence life, honors and more.

Ranked by U.S. News and World Report as one of the best universities in the south each year since 1997, in 2009 that publication named Union one of 77 national “Universities to Watch” and one of only 80 national schools “where the faculty has an unusual commitment to undergraduate teaching.” Union has been recognized by Peterson’s Competitive College Guide, the Time/Princeton Review, and Templeton’s Colleges that Encourage Character Development. Union is a recipient of the President’s Higher Education Community Service Award and has been listed among America’s Colleges of Distinction, as well as one of America’s Top 100 College Buys.

For more information, visit their website: http://www.uu.edu
Or go right to their homeschool page: http://www.uu.edu/admissions/undergraduate/homeschool.cfm
Updated: May 19, 2011 — 8:16 am

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