Campus History
Southern Arkansas University is located in Magnolia, Arkansas, which has a population of 11,162. Magnolia is approximately 55 miles east of Texarkana, 80 miles northeast of Shreveport, and 140 miles south of Little Rock. Magnolia is a growing, progressive town in the heart of an agri-business, industrial, timber, and oil-producing area. The citizens of the region have continually shown interest in SAU students by encouraging them to participate in the civic and social life of the community.
Southern Arkansas University was founded as the Third District Agricultural School. One of four such schools established by an Act of the Arkansas General Assembly in 1909, it opened in January 1911 as a district secondary school for southwest Arkansas. In 1925, the state legislature authorized the school to add two years of college work to its curriculum and to change its name to Agricultural and Mechanical College, Third District. It carried both high school and junior college courses until 1937, at which time the high school courses were discontinued.
In the fall of 1949, the Board of Trustees, exercising authority vested in it by the state legislature, decided to make the college into a four-year, degree-granting institution. The Board authorized the adding of third-year college courses to begin with the fall semester of 1950, and fourth-year or senior courses to begin with the fall semester of 1951. By Act Eleven, January 24, 1951, the state legislature changed the name of the institution to Southern State College. In 1975, the college was approved and accredited to offer a master of education degree in selected academic areas. The name was changed to Southern Arkansas University on July 9, 1976.
Enrollment
Southern Arkansas University has an enrollment of approximately 4,732 students. In the fall 2024 semester, there were 3,102 undergraduate students and 1,630 graduate students.
Entrance Requirements
Southern Arkansas University is committed to student success and will provide admission opportunities utilizing multiple measures of academic preparedness. Admission to SAU undergraduate and graduate programs is selective. Prospective students should consult the specific academic program of their choice regarding specific program admissions requirements. Applicants for admission to all undergraduate academic programs at SAU must submit to the SAU Office of Admissions documentation of high school graduation or completion of the General Educational Development (GED) Certificate, American College Test (ACT) scores, and documentation fulfilling all other admission application requirements.
Faculty
Southern Arkansas University faculty are recognized experts in their fields, with many having national and international reputations as scholars and researchers. In order to maximize interaction between students and faculty, SAU maintains small class sizes in most academic programs.
Honors College
Southern Arkansas University’s Honors College provides courses with small class sizes that challenge and inspire students to achieve their fullest academic and intellectual potential. Students are admitted based upon a global assessment of academic potential. ACT scores, high school GPA, required submitted essays, letters of recommendation and other relevant information are examined. Students must complete an online application and provide two letters of recommendation and two essays. One essay should be from high school class work; the other should say why they wish to enroll in the Honors College. SAU students who have a college grade point average of 3.50 or higher may also apply for admission. Other criteria may also be used to determine eligibility. Once accepted into the Honors College, students will enroll in honors general education courses created especially for them with small class sizes.
Honors College students must complete no less than 24 hours of honors courses. They must complete a minimum of nine hours (including HC 1003, Honors Seminar) of general education honors courses and may complete a maximum of 15 hours of general education honors courses. To complete their required honors hours, they may take six to 15 hours of honors upper division courses. These courses need not be in their major. Honors students may take more than 24 total honors hours if they meet the requirements for general education and upper division course distribution. These academic accomplishments will be acknowledged on the transcripts and diplomas of Honors College graduates. Their academic achievement will also be recognized at graduation.
Honors College students are awarded a $600 stipend per academic year.
For more information about the Honors College at Southern Arkansas University, contact the Honors College at epkardas@saumag.edu, (870) 235-4375, or (870) 904-8897
Library
The Magale Library is a center for scholarly activity at SAU. The library’s collections include approximately 143,000 volumes, 14,000 audio-visual titles, 374,000 microfilm and microfiche pieces, 55,000 government documents, 372 periodical subscriptions, 168,000 e-books from 12 digital libraries, 97,000 online streaming academic videos, and online full-text access to 116,000 periodical titles from over 185 databases with indexing and abstracts for additional titles. The library provides additional study resources including desktop computers in open labs, laptop computers, computer study rooms, multimedia study rooms, and two labs for library instructional purposes with desktop computers. Magale Library staff provides face-to-face and electronic library research assistance, instructional class sessions, online video tutorials, and library guides to assist users with their information needs. The library also hosts many educational and cultural events throughout the year. Online access to library resources is available through the library homepage at web.saumag.edu/library.
Pre-Professional Programs
Southern Arkansas University offers courses that may satisfy prerequisite requirements for many pre-professional programs. Please consult with an advisor about course options and related degree options. Potential options include pre-architecture; pre-chiropractic; pre-dental hygiene; pre-dentistry; pre-engineering; pre-law; pre-medicine; pre-nuclear medicine technology; pre-nursing; pre-occupational therapy; pre-optometry; pre-pharmacy; pre-physical therapy; pre-radiological technology; pre-respiratory therapy; and pre-veterinary science.
Professional Programs: CPA; CMA; RN-BSN; BSN; Professional Education programs.
Residential College
The Residential College is a selective living/learning community designed for freshmen students that focuses on students’ academic and personal success through leadership development, citizenship, and service learning. To be eligible for the program, a student must be a beginning freshman, have a composite ACT score of at least 22, and have leadership/volunteer experience in high school. RC students also enroll in courses together during their first year at SAU and take an active role in planning and initiating activities and service projects in their residence hall and across campus. Members of the RC may apply to be a part of the Sophomore Residential College after their first year at SAU.
The mission of the Southern Arkansas University Alumni Association, Inc. is to strengthen the connection of our alumni, former students, and friends through fostering meaningful engagement opportunities, providing increased awareness and support of Southern Arkansas University, and increasing member participation. All students who have attended Southern Arkansas University are eligible to be general members of the Alumni Association. The alumni office plans various yearly events to which former students and friends are invited. Such events include Homecoming in the fall, reunions, senior celebrations, presentation of the Young Alumni and Distinguished Alumni Awards, and meetings of alumni in surrounding areas.
School of Graduate Studies
The mission of the Southern Arkansas University School of Graduate Studies is to prepare individuals for positions of leadership in a variety of professions by providing advanced and specialized education. The curricula and instructional technologies are designed to meet the needs of students and to prepare them to compete in a diverse and dynamic society.
For more information about the School of Graduate Studies, please see our Graduate Catalog available at web.saumag.edu/graduate.
Student Activities
SAU has many registered student organizations active in campus activities and functions, including national sororities and fraternities. For more information, contact the Office of Student Activities at (870) 235-4925.
Student Athletics
SAU sports activities encompass individual and team events. Varsity teams compete in the NCAA Division II Great American Conference with men’s competition in baseball, basketball, cross-country, football, golf, tennis, and track and women’s competition in basketball, cross-country, golf, softball, tennis, track, and volleyball. Men’s and women’s rodeo teams also participate in intercollegiate competition. In addition, the University sponsors intramural activities throughout the year.
Student Housing
SAU has men’s, women’s and co-ed residence halls as well as the University Village, Mulerider Pointe, and University Court Apartments. Students should contact the Office of Housing for information by calling (870) 235-4047.
University Accreditation
Southern Arkansas University is accredited by the following entities:
The Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
30 North LaSalle Street, Suite 2400
Chicago, IL 60602-2504
(312) 263-0456 or 800-621-7440
www.hlcommission.org
The Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET)
Engineering Accreditation Commission
415 North Charles Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
(410)347-7700
www.abet.org
The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, Inc. (ACEN)
3343 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 850
Atlanta, Georgia 30326
(404) 975-5000
www.acenursing.org
The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
777 South Harbour Island Boulevard, Suite 750
Tampa, FL 33602
(813) 769-6500
www.aacsb.edu
The Council for the Accreditation of Education Preparation (CAEP)
1140 19th Street N.W., Suite 400
Washington, D.C. 20036
(202) 223-0077
caepnet.org
The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
1725 Duke Street, Suite 500
Alexandria, VA 22314-3457
(703) 519-2058
www.cswe.org
The National Alliance of Concurrent Enrollment Partnerships (NACEP)
P.O. Box 578
Chapel Hill. NC 27514
(909) 593-5205
www.nacep.org
The National Committee for Accreditation of Coaching Education (NCACE)
364 Patteson Drive #272
Morgantown, WV 26505
uscoachexcellence.org
SAU holds memberships in the following national organizations:
The Higher Learning Commission
The American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education
The American Association for Higher Education and Accreditation
The American Association of University Women
The American Council on Education
The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International
The Conference of Southern Graduate Schools
The Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation
The National Collegiate Athletic Association
The National Collegiate Honors Council
The National Commission on Accrediting
The National Council of Educational Opportunity Associations
The United States Center for Coaching Excellence
The Bray is the only University publication produced entirely by students. The Bray is the campus news source and is published online with one printed edition each fall and spring. This publication offers students opportunities for professional practice and some paying jobs. All students are eligible to apply for positions on the staff of The Bray.
The Mulerider, SAU’s yearbook, is a publication produced by University Communications and Marketing. The yearbook serves as a historic record of each year’s events. It includes event photos, student, faculty and staff photos, as well as stories about the people and things that defined the school year.
The Stater is the University’s magazine for alumni and friends. Published twice each year, the magazine is distributed to more than 20,000 people around the world. It includes special interest stories, University news, student and faculty spotlights, and class news. Content from The Stater may also be found online at www.saustater.com.
The SAU Foundation: An Endowment
(From The Southern Arkansas University Foundation, Inc., Endowments: The Key to Progress)
Endowments create a financial bridge for students in need, enhance academic and athletic offerings, and ensure that programs and facilities are able to meet increased curriculum and technology demands. Individuals, businesses, and civic organizations have established over 800 endowments to strengthen the University through Southern Arkansas University Foundation, Inc. These endowments provide a steady stream of income that supports students, faculty, and programs regardless of the ebb and flow of state funding and grants.
As a perennial funding resource for the University, endowments are indispensable to excellence. In fact, the size of an endowment is considered a measure of institutional health because it reflects the value that donors place on the institution. Endowment gifts from alumni and friends ensure SAU’s progress.
Created in accordance with the wishes of the donors and the needs of the University, endowments present a special opportunity to commemorate one’s own affection for SAU or to honor or memorialize a family member, special teacher, or other individual with a permanent fund that provides a named gift each year. The Foundation works with donors to create opportunities in areas of the donor’s greatest interest, including a specific school, department, or other campus entity.
State appropriations now provide less than 25 percent of the University’s budget, making endowments critical for the pursuit of excellence. We ask you to consider beginning your endowment today. Call SAU Foundation at 877-235-7409 and ask for the Endowment Worksheet, visit us at www.saufoundation.org, or call 870-235-4991 to visit with the executive director.
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