Overview
Diversity in All Areas is a Core Value of the University of Alabama at Birmingham
The University of Alabama at Birmingham is an accredited university with over 18,000 undergraduate and graduate students. The school values diversity, and works to ensure that the faculty, staff, and student body are composed of a cross-section of individuals from all backgrounds. Students come from across Alabama and the United States, as well as from 105 countries around the globe. A full third of undergraduate students come from minority ethnic backgrounds.
Diversity at UAB goes beyond geographic and ethnic background, however. In its commitment to diversity, the school recognizes that individuals are different and have different potentials in every aspect of their backgrounds and personalities, and UAB strives to create an inclusive, global community based on this recognition.
One of the Nation's Leading Research Universities, UAB Receives Millions in Funding Annually
One of the primary distinctions of the University of Alabama at Birmingham is its status as a nationally recognized research university; it ranks in the top 20 among research universities funded by the National Institutes of Health. The school's premier researchers have access to over $470 million per year in grant and contract funding, allowing them to remain at the forefront in all areas of research.
In part, this funding helps UAB support state-of-the-art facilities that enable researchers to work toward breakthroughs that make an impact on society and the world. Among these facilities are an organ transplant center, the Center for Economic Education, a Pediatric Pulmonary Center, and SEBLAB, a $32 million biosafety laboratory.
Experiential Learning is a Cornerstone of Education in All Fields at UAB
Students in all fields of study at UAB have access not only to cutting edge technologies and facilities, but to faculty that are committed to students and curricula that are designed to incorporate experiential learning in order to give students the hands-on opportunities that will help them succeed.
Students can choose from 140 degree-granting programs through 12 academic schools and a large graduate school. Each of these programs involves a component of firsthand experience that allows students to face real-world issues in their chosen career fields even before they graduate. Additionally, a comprehensive core curriculum is designed to give all students a broad base of knowledge in the liberal arts and sciences, adding to their growth as well-rounded, educated individuals.
Honors Options Allow Motivated Students to Make the Most of Their Education
For undergraduates, the University of Alabama at Birmingham has several distinctive programs of study and curricular options available. A number of honors options allow motivated students to challenge themselves and to access opportunities for travel, independent study, research, and extracurricular activities.
In addition to the university honors program, UAB offers a Science and Technology Honors Program, which was the first of its kind in the nation. This program features advanced courses, symposia, research experience opportunities, and internships in fields of science and technology.
The University of Alabama at Birmingham Has Much to Offer in Terms of Financial Value
Considering the range of opportunities available to UAB students, the university is one of remarkable financial value. The financial aid office provides counseling to all students and their parents in order to help students discover the best options available to them to finance their educations.
In addition to affordable tuition and a variety of available scholarships, UAB provides job opportunities and work study programs to assist students in making the investment necessary to obtain a degree. Each year, UAB awards more than $100 million in financial aid to incoming and returning students. By helping students create a plan to pay for college, UAB removes the stress associated with finances and allows students to focus on their educations.
The City of Birmingham Has a Burgeoning Economy and Cultural Scene, Along with Affordable Living
Located in Birmingham, Alabama, UAB is both a landmark and a central feature of the daily workings of the state's largest city. The university has a $3 billion impact on Birmingham, which helps make the city so economically and culturally desirable.
A center of business and industry, Birmingham has the second lowest unemployment rate of any metro area in the Southeast region of the United States. Additionally, the city has been listed as one of the nation's most affordable cities to live in. These statistics make Birmingham a promising location for UAB students and graduates to embark upon their careers.
Birmingham is also a major center for culture and the arts in the region. Students can enrich their educations by visiting the Birmingham Museum of Art, the Alabama Ballet, or the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame, among others. The University of Alabama at Birmingham is home to the Alys Robinson Stephens Performing Arts Center, which hosts over 300 world class cultural events every year.
