The University operates on the semester system. Credit is based on the semester hour and each course of instruction carries a specific number of semester hours of credit. The school year is composed of two semesters, two 4-week summer sessions, and/or an eight-week summer term. The first semester begins in late August and ends in December and the second semester begins in January and ends in May. Eight week classes are also available during the first and second term. Summer session I begins in June and ends in late June, summer session II begins in July and ends in late July, and the eight-week summer term begins in June and ends in late July. The university also offers two compressed 3-week terms. May Intersession occurs between the spring and summer terms, and Winter Session occurs between the fall and spring terms.  In the first or second semester the normal schedule will include from 15 to 18 semester hours of credit. The summer sessions and term provide for the equivalent of a full semester’s work on a normal schedule of 12 to 14 semester credit hours. Classes meet Mondays through Fridays each term, with evening and Saturday classes also offered as an extension of the regular day schedule. The University provides for special short courses, conferences, interim sessions, institutes, regular courses, and workshops offered in off-campus locations and through distance learning. The University does not offer courses by correspondence.

Through its Anderson College of Nursing and Health Professions, College of Arts, Sciences, and Engineering, Sanders College of Business and Technology, and College of Education and Human Sciences, the University offers the following programs and educational opportunities:

1. The Bachelor of Arts degree with majors in foreign languages and spanish.
2. The Bachelor of Arts or Science degree with majors in art, biology, chemistry, communication arts, criminal justice, english, entertainment industry, geography, history, interdisciplinary studies, marine biology, mass communications, mathematics, music, occupational health science, physics, political science, psychology, social science, and sociology. Successful completion of a Bachelor of Arts or Science degree in an Alabama State Board of Education approved program qualifies graduates for recommendation for the Alabama Class B Professional Certificate. See the College of Education and Human Sciences for approved teaching fields.
3. The Bachelor of Business Administration degree with majors in accounting, computer information systems, economics, finance, professional management, and professional marketing.
4. The Bachelor of Fine Arts degree with majors in art, cinematic arts and theatre, and interior architecture and design.
5. The Bachelor of Music in Performance.
6. Bachelor of Science with majors in computer science, culinary arts management, engineering technology, exercise science, fashion merchandising and design, geographic information science, health and fitness, hospitality and events management, information technology, sport and recreation management, and sustainability.
7. The Bachelor of Science in Education degree and qualification for recommendation for the Alabama Class B Professional Certificate in Elementary K-6, P-12 Education in Physical Education, and 6-12 Business/Marketing Education.
8. The Bachelor of Science degree with a dual major in Secondary Education or P-12 education and selected subject fields, and qualification for recommendation for the Alabama Class B Professional Certificate.
9. The Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree.
10. The Bachelor of Social Work degree.
11. Preprofessional preparation for programs in agriculture, architecture, dentistry, engineering, forestry, health sciences, law, medicine, medical technology, optometry, pharmacy, podiatry, veterinary medicine, and other fields for which from one to four years of undergraduate university coursework is appropriate to the program of the professional school or field.
12. Other programs, including the Senior Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) program, and individual courses through which students may satisfy opportunities for personal interest or vocational advancement on credit or noncredit bases.
13. Minor fields of concentration are offered in most of the subjects listed for the majors. Please check specific departments for their offerings.
14. Graduate programs: See Graduate Catalog.