Union University

union-university

Private, Baptist Liberal Arts Education at UU

Union University appears in our ranking of the Top 50 Online Christian Colleges for Future Missionaries.

Ranked The Wall Street Journal’s 300th best school overall, Union University has three Tennessee campuses delivering 105 bachelor’s and 14 graduate majors plus 12 fully online programs at a 9:1 student-faculty ratio from a Christian worldview for 95 percent job placement. For example, the 128-credit BA in Theological Studies encourages undergrads to engage in the Ryan Biblical Center, conduct International Missions Board service, attend Bethel Baptist Church, and join Life Groups. Chaired by Dr. Jan Wilms, the BS in Computer Science builds a 128-credit Jackson curriculum with 150-hour internships like Google, Software Engineering Lab projects, and ACM Chapter membership.

Online via Blackboard Learn 9.1, the MEd in Teaching & Learning gives licensed teachers free iPads to complete a 30-credit, CAEP-accredited plan of 600-level classes, including Positive Discipline, for promotions at Beech High, East Elementary, Spring City Middle, and more. Directed by Dr. Patsy Crihfield, the DNP in Nurse Anesthesia admits licensed RNs into a 99-credit track to an 88 percent first-time CRNA certification pass rate with 3,400 clinical hours at the Sim Lab and preceptors like Le Bonheur Germantown Hospital.

Other Union degrees include the BS in Botany, BA in Speech, BS in Actuarial Science, BA in Sociology, BS in Chemistry, Master of Urban Education, MBA in Marketing, MS in Conservation Biology, MS in Christian Studies, DNP in Nursing Administration, and Doctor of Pharmacy.

About Union University

Union University originated in 1818 when the Tennessee Baptist Convention acquired land from the Chickasaw Indian tribe to build the Jackson Male Academy. In 1844, it was chartered by the Legislature as West Tennessee College. In 1849, Supreme Court Justice Howell E. Jackson earned his Artium Baccalaureus in Classics there. During the 1860s, it was used as a military hospital for Union and Confederate troops. On April 10, 1874, it was reopened at the current 290-acre campus around Miller Tower. In Fall 1874, it was renamed Southwestern Baptist University. In 1907, President Joseph Eaton and his son T.T. were honored with the Union University name change. Fully accredited in 1948, Union worked with Jackson-Madison County General Hospital to form the School of Nursing in 1962. In 1986, President Robert Craig added the Blasingame Academic Complex too.

Endowed for $40.5 million, Union University now helps 4,200 Bulldogs from 44 states and 33 countries follow God’s calling in Jackson, Germantown, and Henderson or on the Web with 60+ clubs like Phi Beta Lambda. In 2015, First Things crowned Union the 12th best Protestant college. Seven times since 2006, Union was placed on the President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll. The U.S. News & World Report named UU the 152nd best university, 134th top engineering school, and 88th best nursing anesthesia program. On Niche, Union boasts America’s 41st safest campus, 45th best religious studies, 83rd top kinesiology courses, and 127th best teaching majors. WalletHub placed Union University 79th for faculty resources and 223rd for education outcomes. Forbes lauded UU for the 184th most impactful research.

Union University Accreditation Details

On December 17, 2017, Union University announced that the Southern Association of Colleges and Colleges Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) Board of Trustees voted to extend the Level VI accreditation through another 2026-27 review under Provost John T. Netland, Ph.D., who earned the Conference on Christianity & Literature’s Lionel Basney Award. Located 392 miles south via Interstate 22 in Decatur, this elite 11-state Appalachia Region accreditor is recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and Tennessee Higher Education Commission. The Academic Affairs Office also lists the following degree accreditations:

  • Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation
  • Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education
  • Council on Social Work Education
  • National Association of Schools of Music
  • Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
  • Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology
  • Commission on Accreditation for Athletic Training Education
  • National Association of Schools of Art and Design
  • Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
  • Council on Accreditation of Nursing Anesthesia Education
  • Public Relations Society of America

Union University Application Requirements

Admission to Union University is labeled “moderately selective” by Peterson’s since only 1,580 of the 2,634 Fall 2018 applicants were successful for 60 percent acceptance odds. Prospective Bulldogs need to finish a 20-unit, college-prep secondary curriculum or the GED. Freshmen must be over age 16 with good moral character. Unconditional entrance requires a minimum 2.0 GPA, 18 ACT, and 860 SAT mark. Early action is reserved for high schoolers meeting 3.5 GPAs or 1020 SAT scores. Grade point averages of 2.3 or better are mandated for transfers with 24 credits or more. The RN-BSN stipulates 2.8 GPAs in associate nursing degrees plus active state licensure. Starting the 18-month BSOL Completion track online demands 60+ transfer credits. International students need a 550 TOEFL or 6.5 IELTS score. The School of Graduate Studies set general criteria of four-year accredited bachelor’s and GPAs above 2.5. MS in Biology cohorts must have 12 prerequisite life science credits. The Online MBA requires Graduate Management Admission Test scores if GPAs are below 3.0.

Union University has first-come, first-served admission rolling through August 1st, December 1st, and April 1st. The Traditional BSN enforces a March 1st deadline. The College of Pharmacy has a priority PharmD deadline of February 1st. Doctor of Nursing Practice candidacy starts June 1st yearly. MS in Conservation Biology students must file before May 1st. Accordingly, complete the UU Application online for $35 by credit card or e-check. Forward official transcripts to 1050 Union Drive in Jackson, TN 38305. For testing results, utilize ACT code 4020 or SAT/TOEFL code 1826. Additional checklist items include the transfer form, $200 tuition deposit, personal essay, vaccination record, 1-3 recommendations, state certification, and work/activity history. Inquire further by contacting (901) 759-0029 or info@uu.edu.

Tuition and Financial Aid

For 2019-20, Union University has priced full-time undergrad tuition at $16,325 each term or $32,650 annually. Taking 1-11 credits incurs $1,050 apiece. Bachelor’s majors cover the $500 general student fee each semester. Freshman orientation costs $150. Residing at the Madison County campus’ dorms like Heritage Hall adds $3,600 for semester rent. All-access meal plans for Brewer Dining Hall are $1,795 extra. UU budgets $1,550 for books and $8,880 for personal needs. Yearly undergrad study equals about $53,550 on-campus and $42,960 at home. Online RN-BSN students pay $470 per credit. Most master’s programs bill $500 per credit. The Online MBA is an exception costing $615 per credit. PharmD cohorts spend $17,575 each term or $35,150 annually. Doctor of Nursing Practice tuition charges $935 per credit.

The National Center for Education Statistics reports the Student Financial Planning Center at Hyran E. Barefoot Union links 99 percent of new UU Bulldogs to median aid of $24,075 for $8.04 million combined. University funds include the Rosamond Avery Music Scholarship, Jimmy Allen Memorial Scholarship, Englewood Baptist Church Scholarship, Lanese Dockery Scholarship, Ruth Gibbons Library Scholarship, Hedspeth Education Scholarship, Jason Browning Highsmith Scholarship, Carla Sanderson Nursing Scholarship, and June White Chemistry Scholarship. The Provost’s Scholarship gifts $11,000 to freshmen meeting the 24 ACT, 1160 SAT, or 76 CLT minimum. The $9,000 Transfer Trustees’ Scholarship selects undergrads holding GPAs above 3.5 in 24+ credits. Federal aid applications coded 002889 unlock the Pell Grant, Teach Grant, Opportunity Grant, Direct Loan, and Work-Study Award programs. The Tennessee Student Assistance Award also offers up to $4,000 at private schools like Union.

Search through eight top-tier Christian divisions conferring 120+ accredited programs on the Union University website.

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