Southern Adventist University

Founded in 1892 as the first Seventh-day Adventist college in the American south, this historic institution is known for its dedicated Christian ethos and for a stunning 1000 acre campus in the Tennessee River Valley. The university is based roughly five miles from the state border with Georgia.

There are nineteen schools and departments at Southern. The Allied Health programme offers an B.S. in medical laboratory science with a choice of one of four minors, and the university has a partnership agreement with the universities of Andrews and Loma Linda for those who wish to pursue a doctoral degree. The institute of Archeology is affiliated with the School of Religion, and Southern is one of two schools nationwide to offer a degree in Biblical Archaeology.

The school of Visual Art & Design has been running since 1998, and offers four academic majors; animation, fine art, film, and graphic design. The 2006 feature film Secret of the Cave was produced by the school and shot in Ireland, going on to win a Crystal Heart award at the Heartland film festival.

On campus accommodation is provided by Southern, with men’s dormitory Talge Hall and the women’s residence Thatcher Hall, which is known for its impressive Greco-Roman style pillars over its entrance.

Study abroad is encourage by Southern, especially for students in their sophomore year. There are six year long exchange programmes available in locations such as France and Argentina, and eight summer language courses in countries ranging from Ukraine to Mexico.

Sabbath is observed from sundown Friday to sundown Saturday, and students are expected to dedicate this time to religious activity. Southern is also a dry campus, and no alcohol or recreational substance is permitted on site.

The motto for Southern is ‘power for mind and soul’.