Averett University

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From the College

Students who want to learn in a traditional campus setting, yearn for small classrooms, and want a hands-on education will find that Averett University has a degree program to fit their lives.

Founded in 1859, Averett University’s main campus is situated on 19-acres in a beautiful residential section of Danville, Virginia. Students can choose from more than thirty undergraduate degree options and two master’s degree programs.

At Averett, our educational philosophy is quite simple: prepare our students for a lifetime of success. Our students receive the skills and knowledge to get that first job or enter graduate school, and they develop the habits of the mind that will allow them to adapt to a constantly changing world. They not only learn how to form and defend their own opinions, but also how to thoughtfully evaluate the opinions of others. Averett’s graduates communicate clearly, think critically, and function effectively in today’s rapidly changing and globally-oriented information age. The University recognizes its unique responsibilities to the Danville region and promotes higher education, provides cultural opportunities, and serves as a resource for the community.

Students from more than thirty-one states and fifteen countries make Averett their university of choice, and U.S. News & World Report has acknowledged the University for its diverse student body. The University’s total enrollment is more than 2,400, of which 38 percent are minority students and 27 percent are undergraduates. More than 800 students study on the main campus in the traditional program, and over 1,749 working professionals study accelerated business and education programs in Averett’s statewide Graduate and Professional Studies (GPS) Program.

Averett University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) (1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097; telephone: 404-679-4501) to award associate, baccalaureate, and master’s degrees.

Averett’s main campus has eight residence halls that offer traditional residence-hall-style accommodations as well as suites and apartment-style living. Six tennis courts and a gymnasium are also available. Life on campus is enhanced by Averett’s award-winning student center, which is equipped for wireless computing. The center also offers a state of the art dining hall, café, game room, Career Services Center, lounge areas for relaxing and chat, offices for clubs, and a 24-hour computer lab.

The 70-acre North Campus, a 10-minute drive from the main campus (shuttle-van service is available during class hours), offers the E. Stuart James Grant Center, one of the finest athletic facilities in the USA South Athletic Conference. The center, which seats more than 1,600 for athletic events, includes three basketball courts, a training room, fitness facility, classrooms, and locker rooms. Surrounding the center are baseball and softball fields, two practice fields, and the Cougar Den Stadium, where football and soccer teams compete.

Averett’s scenic 100-acre equestrian center is located 15 minutes from the main campus. It features an indoor arena, forty stalls with removable partitions, three tack rooms, a wash room, offices, and a laboratory. The outdoor facilities include a round pen, riding ring, jumping area, pastures, and cross-country trails.

The Averett Flight Center is located at the Danville Regional Airport, only 4 miles from campus. Averett’s private hangars house aircraft, areas for ground instruction, a simulator room, a technology center, and offices. Averett’s flight students can train in the uncrowded skies above the airport or use the flight simulators for situational training and on days with bad weather.

Averett students enjoy a variety of campus activities, from concerts to lectures to trips, sponsored by the Campus Activities Board. In addition, an active Student Government Association and clubs, organizations, honor societies, and Greek life add to the student involvement on campus. An annual Arts @ Averett Series brings plays, concerts, and guest lecturers to campus, while the Averett Theatre Players, the Averett Singers, and the handbell choir perform throughout the year, adding to the cultural offerings.

Students participate in a variety of intramural sports, and more than 280 Cougar student athletes represent the University on the University’s NCAA Division III athletic teams in the USA South Athletic Conference. Averett fields teams in men’s baseball, football, golf, and softball; women’s lacrosse; and men’s and women’s basketball, cross-country, soccer, tennis, and volleyball. Averett has 18 athletes who have been recognized nationally as Division III All Americans. Equestrian has been added as an intercollegiate sport.

Averett’s main campus sits in the historic city of Danville, Virginia. Danville, with a population of 53,000, is just 3 miles from the Virginia–North Carolina border and is convenient to airports in both states. The campus is in a residential neighborhood adjacent to Danville’s famed Millionaire’s Row, a collection of vast Victorian homes recognized by historians for their architectural splendor. Within walking distance are a variety of churches, several restaurants, a movie theater, and Ballou Park, a 107-acre park and shopping center. Piedmont Mall, other shopping outlets, and a selection of chain and family-owned restaurants are just a short drive across the Dan River. Averett is also conveniently located down the street from Danville Regional Medical Center and other medical service providers. In addition to the tennis courts, playing fields, fitness center, and basketball courts available at Averett, the city offers recreational facilities, including the 150-acre Dan Daniel Park, home of the Danville Braves, Atlanta’s Rookie Class minor league baseball team. Dan Daniel Park also features trails for hiking and biking. Averett is within walking distance of the YMCA which offers swimming, racquetball, and other fitness activities. The city also maintains a popular 3.2-mile paved walk along the Dan River.

Degrees offered include the Associate of Arts (A.A.), Associate of Science in Business (A.S.B.), Bachelor of Applied Science (B.A.S.), Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Bachelor of Business Administration (B.B.A.), and the Bachelor of Science (B.S.).

Majors are: accounting; aerospace management (aviation business, aviation maintenance operations (transfer students only), aviation technical systems, flight operations); aerospace management/criminal justice; art; art education (PK–12); athletic training; biology (biomedical science-predental, biomedical science-premed, ecology/environmental biology); biology/chemistry; business administration (finance, global marketing management, management science); computer information systems; computer science; education (elementary education or secondary education or PK–12 teacher licensure); English; English/theater; environmental sciences; equestrian studies (dressage instruction, equine management, eventing instruction); history; journalism; liberal studies; mathematical decision science; mathematics; medical technology; music (church music, performance); physical education, wellness, and sport science (health and physical education and driver’s education–teacher licensure (PK–12), health and physical education–teacher licensure (PK–12), physical education, sport management, wellness/sport medicine); political science; prelaw; psychology (biological psychology, cognitive science, counseling and clinical, industrial/organizational); 2+2 radiologic technology (transfer students only); religion; sociology; sociology/criminal justice; and theater. Minors are available in most program areas in addition to those in church ministries, coaching, French, leadership studies, Spanish, and special education.

Under the general education curriculum, all students are required to take at least 9 semester hours of English, 6 in the fine arts, 15 in history and social sciences, and 6 in religion and philosophy. Those enrolled in the A.A. or B.A. programs must take an additional 3 semester hours in mathematics, 4 in natural sciences, and 6 to 14 in a foreign language. Students in the B.A.S. or B.S. programs must take an additional 6 semester hours in mathematics and 8 in natural science. Students may take classes during two semesters and two optional summer terms. Students may elect to double major or complete their baccalaureate degree in three years by enrolling in several of the optional summer terms.

Averett offers students an Honors program and the Human-Computer Interaction program. Honors program students explore in-depth, selected areas of academics, with approximately 20 percent of all course work carrying honors credit. Students help to shape the classes they will take and are instrumental in the program instruction. The program culminates with a senior honors project. The Human-Computer Interaction program exposes students to the principles of design, human behavior, and computer science. Students major in art, computer science, computer information systems, or psychology and combine their study with a program in Human-Computer Interaction. Graduates of this program are prepared for a variety of careers in the fast-growing technology field.

Averett offers two unique programs not commonly found on a traditional campus. Equestrian studies and aviation are two distinct degree seeking programs that allow for immediate implementation into the work force. The programs, although not traditional, are still incorporated in our liberal arts background.

The Equestrian Studies degree offers a three tract degree which includes dressage instruction, equine management and eventing instruction. We also offer a high-quality competition team that was ranked in the top 5 nationally.

The aviation program allows for multiple facets of study. Aviation business, aviation maintenance operations (transfer students only), aviation technical systems, flight operations and aerospace management/criminal justice allow students to prepare for a job in the commercial airline industry. Students also work flying regionally as well as for private companies. With the addition of two new Liberty XL2 planes, students are using state of the art equipment since both planes have glass cockpit instrumentation.

Study-abroad and travel programs are available across the curriculum. Internships opportunities are available to students and are required in many of the academic programs.

Main campus facilities include academic buildings, an art building and pottery area, a 630-seat auditorium, a music center, and a library. The Blount Library supports research and reading interests with print and electronic books and journals, databases, subject guides, and 24-hour remote access. The library offers a quiet place to study and collaborate on team projects, a computer lab, a wireless hub, and DVD, CD-RW, and media production equipment. Library staff members offer research classes and consultations.

Averett offers a variety of academic support services free to all students which include: a writing center, tutoring services, counseling, IDS for freshman orientation, and career services. The writing and tutoring centers are available for individual appointments for writing papers and specific help for any class. On-campus counselors are available for all student needs, either academically or emotionally. Career Services will help students prepare for their first job after college by helping with resume writing and job searches.

Estimated annual costs in the 2008–09 academic year were $20,300 in tuition, $7100 in room and board, and $1000 in general fees. Specific lab fees are assigned per course.

There are many opportunities for students to earn scholarships to reduce the cost of an Averett Education. Merit-based scholarships are based on the student’s high school GPA and SAT/ACT scores. There are also private scholarships available. For more detailed information about exact amounts of funds consult the Financial Aid Scholarship Calculator located at http://www.averett.edu/financial-aid/calculator/index.html.

Averett disburses more than $16.8 million in financial assistance to eligible students each year. Academic scholarships, Perkins loans, Pell grants, Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants, Virginia Tuition Assistance Grants, on- and off-campus employment opportunities, ample private scholarships, and low-interest loans are available. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is required for determining eligibility for federal and state aid and need-based scholarships, and should be submitted prior to April 1.

Averett faculty members are scholars, teachers, authors, and experts in their field. Seventy-eight percent hold doctorates or terminal degrees. Members of the faculty take a personal interest in the success of their students. With a student-faculty ratio of 14:1, there are many opportunities for students and faculty members to work together on projects, solve problems, or just sit and talk. Each student is assigned a faculty adviser in his or her major area of study who assists with class selection and is available to guide students through their academic study.

The mission of the Student Government Association (SGA) of Averett University is to serve as a voice for student concerns and ideas and to increase student involvement in clubs and activities on the campus.

Students are required to take the SAT or ACT and to have graduated from high school with 16 acceptable units in grades 9–12: 4 in English, 3 in college-prep mathematics, 3 in lab sciences, 3 in history and social sciences, and 3 in electives. Advanced Placement (AP) and/or University credit may be granted for AP, IB, and CLEP tests. Students who have completed the GED may be considered for admission.

Applicants should submit a completed application, SAT or ACT scores, and transcripts of credits completed (or in progress) from high school. A letter of recommendation from a guidance counselor, teacher, employer, or principal is recommended but not required. Transfer students must also include a transcript of credits completed (or in progress) from all previously attended colleges, be in good standing with their previous university, and have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 (on a 4.0 scale). International students must also take the TOEFL and achieve a score of at least 500 on the paper version or 173 on the computer version.

Averett operates on the rolling admissions system. Applications are accepted both online and on paper. There is no application fee for undergraduate admission. When all necessary supporting documents arrive at the University, the Admissions Committee reviews the application and promptly informs the applicant of its decision.