Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University was founded in 1898 after the success of a hazardous 1898 dead-of-winter expedition to haul lumber from the mountains east of Cedar City. This was done to complete the University's first building and ensure the renewal of the state higher education commitment for southern Utah. What began as a teacher training school has now grown into a flourishing university graduating over 1,700 graduates each year with baccalaureate and graduate degrees within the universities six colleges.
SUU is located in Cedar City and is centered between the beautiful red rocks of Zion National Park and the snow capped Cedar Mountains. Not only is there natural balance found at SUU but an educational balance. The relatively small student body provides an excellent atmosphere to learn and develop not only as student but also as a professional. The school's rich history of education combined with its forward looking students, faculty and administration combined for an unforgettable college experience.
An average class at SUU has just 23 students. By keeping our classes small, every student gets the individual help they need to succeed. The University is a fully accredited member of the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, and many of SUU's academic programs have special accreditation from the nations' top organizations. SUU was recognized in 2007 as one of America's Best Colleges by U.S. News and World Report, and again in 2008 for its high quality graduate programs. In addition, SUU ranked on Consumers Digest's top ten list as one of the nation's best educational values for the second time , and as "Best in the West" by the Princeton Review. With more than 7,000 students and 260 faculty, SUU delivers private school quality instruction at an affordable public institution price.
SUU offers specialized training, associate, baccalaureate and graduate degree programs. The school's hallmark, the College of Education, provides some of the best teacher-training and education in the western United States. SUU students have many unique opportunities. The College of Performing and Visual Arts works hand-in-hand with internationally recognized artists to offer a broad base of artistic exposure. In addition, SUU's communication department is home to an in-house advertising agency, an FM radio station, a television studio with associated cable channel, and a University newspaper production department all staffed by students. SUU also offers some of the strongest business, nursing and chemistry departments in the state. Of particular interest to students drawn by the University's proximity to the great outdoors, are SUU's Outdoors Center and the Outdoor Recreation in Parks and Tourism degree. The Universities schools and colleges include:
School of Business
College of Computing, Integrated Engineering and Technology
Beverley Taylor Sorenson College of Education and Human Development
College of Humanities and Social Sciences
College of Performing and Visual Arts
College of Science
Beyond the classroom, SUU is home to cultural, social and athletic activities as the host of the Tony Award-winning Utah Shakespearean Festival, the Utah Summer Games, the only Hispanic Center for Academic Excellence in Utah and 17 NCAA Division I athletic teams. Cedar City is surrounded by many national parks and wilderness areas that draw visitors from around the world. It's only 40 minutes from great snow skiing and year-round golfing, as well as just two hours away from the entertainment capital of the world, Las Vegas. With nearly 150 campus clubs and organizations, students are sure to find their home away from home at Southern Utah University.