Amberton University
| Established | 1971 |
|---|---|
Academic staff | 48 |
| Location | Garland, Texas, United States |
| Website |
www |
Amberton University is a private, non-profit university located in Garland, Texas, in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex of the United States of America. The main campus is adjacent to Interstate 635. Amberton is a private university that adheres to an Evangelical Christian philosophy. The school began as part of Abilene Christian University as an extension campus from 1971 until 1982, and was initially located in Mesquite, Texas, moving to Garland in 1974. Plans for its separation into an independent institution were initiated when the school received accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools in 1981, and it became known as Amber University in 1982, with the "ton" being added to its name in 2001. A branch campus was opened in Frisco, Texas in 2006.
History
In September 1971, Amberton University began as an extension campus of Abilene Christian University and was located in Mesquite, Texas. From the beginning, the University's purpose was to identify and provide for the educational needs of the community. Quickly, the University turned its attention and interest to educational programs that catered to working adults.
In June 1974, the campus location was moved to Garland, Texas. The new campus, a two-story professional office building, was designed to cater to mature adults who did not need or desire the environmental trappings associated with traditional colleges (dormitories, cafeterias, gymnasiums, intramural athletics, etc.).
In 1981, the University received accreditation from the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, and plans were approved for separating the institution from Abilene Christian University. The separation was completed in June 1982 and the University took the name Amber University.
In March 2001, the University changed its name from Amber University to Amberton University to more accurately describe its purpose. The English addition of “ton” to a word means a town or village. As a result of offering adult students traditional lecture and nontraditional e-courses, the name more accurately identifies the community of learners.
Amberton University's Garland Campus is located on a five-acre site. The facility is a 60,000 square foot office complex designed to provide a secure, professional environment conducive to adult learning. In January 2006, Amberton opened a new center in Frisco in order to better serve their students in Collin County.
Students
Amberton is aimed at the "non-traditional student", that is students who are above the age of 21. This term also is often used to encompass married students, students working full-time, students seeking a second bachelor's degree or students who have worked for a significant time in one field and are seeking education in a new field. Amberton University does not sponsor athletic teams nor does it operate many of the adjunct facilities typical of U.S. higher education such as dormitories. Amberton does not admit students under age 21. It requires all its students to be fluent in the English language prior to enrolling. Amberton offers distance learning programs and degrees, consisting of courses taught by the resident faculty. The school awards credit for "life learning" for some undergraduate students as is compliant with regional accreditation standards, but never for graduate students.
Rankings
Two of its distance degrees were named Best Buys for affordability and quality by GetEducated.com: Amberton's online MBA and its online bachelor's degree in business administration/general business .
Accreditation
Amberton University is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS); one of the six regional accreditation organizations recognized by the United States Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. This agency accredits over 13,000 public and private educational institutions ranging from preschool to college level in the Southern United States.
While the school upholds a Christian philosophy, it promises its students complete freedom of conscience; no particular doctrinal creed or formulation must be professed in order to study there or to graduate.
External links
Coordinates: 32°51′35.71″N 96°39′10.59″W / 32.8599194°N 96.6529417°W