
	Alabama State University was founded in 1867, in Marion, Ala., as a school for African-Americans. The school started as the Lincoln Normal School with $500 raised by nine freed slaves now known as the Marion Nine, making ASU one of the nation&rsquo;s oldest institutions of higher education founded for black Americans.
	
	Today, Alabama State University, located in Montgomery, Ala., is a widely respected, world-class institution of higher learning which welcomes students of all races. We offer nearly 50 undergraduate and graduate degree programs, from our historic teacher education program to our new, high-demand programs in health sciences, new Ph.D. in microbiology&nbsp; and minor in international business.
	
	The more than 5,600 students who attend ASU are as diverse as our academic offerings, with students from more than 40 states and various countries seeking a top-notch education that extends far beyond the walls of a classroom. With a 20 to1 student-faculty ratio, students receive the personal attention, mentoring, encouragement and knowledge needed to achieve their dreams.
	
	At ASU, we know that what happens outside the classroom is an essential part of the college experience. Our students enjoy a vibrant campus community&nbsp; where they&rsquo;ll build life-long friendships and find a wide variety of social, cultural and sporting events. We have more than 70 clubs and organizations, including fraternities and sororities, and 18 intercollegiate sports.
	
	Our location in Montgomery, the birthplace of the modern civil rights movement, offers students the unique opportunity to live, learn and grow in a city rich with culture and history. In fact, some of the most notable figures of the civil rights era &ndash; including the Rev. Ralph David Abernathy, attorney Fred Gray and the Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth &ndash; are counted among ASU&rsquo;s many distinguished alumni.
	
	Our 146-year history is a legacy of perseverance, progress and promise. We&rsquo;re proud of our legacy, and we welcome students to dream, to share their unique gifts and talents, and to take pride in knowing they are part of a rich tradition.
