Columbia Union College was originally established in 1904 as the Washington Training Institute. Founded by the Seventh-day Adventist Church, the institute was renamed Washington Foreign Mission Seminary in 1907. It came to be known as the Washington Missionary College in 1914, and was rechristened Columbia Union College in 1961. Since 2009, it has been known as the Washington Adventist University. Popularly referred to as WAU, the university is situated on a 19-acre campus in Takoma Park, Maryland.
Washington Adventist University offers the Associate of Arts, Associate of Applied Science, Associate of Science, Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Music, Bachelor of Science, and Master of Business Administration degrees. Students can choose from courses in engineering, information systems, mathematics, nursing, computer science, liberal studies, and theology among others. A number of master's degrees in arts and science are also offered through the university's School of Graduate and Professional Studies.
WAU's athletics department is a member of the USCAA and the NCAA Division II. Nicknamed the Pioneers, the teams participate in sports like baseball, basketball, acrobatics, cross country, track and field, soccer, and softball. The students are also involved in various clubs and organizations such as Alpha Chi, Alpha Kappa Mu, Delta Sigma Tau, the Drama Team, Loaves and Fishes, and the Student Association.
Columbia Union is in Takoma Park, MD. Takoma Park is a large suburb. The school is classified as a Seventh Day Adventists college. Columbia Union is a private, not-for-profit institution. The school issues awards (degrees) up to the level of Master's degree.
Columbia Union offers many areas of study. Fields of study in vogue at the school include medical administration.
The school's open admission policy attracts a range of prospective students.
Approximately 1,068 students study at the school (in 2007-2008). Columbia Union is particularly welcoming to minority students.
The school makes housing available to a large share of its students. Students at Columbia Union can take advantage of the school's meal plans. Students participate in Division II Independents athletics. Athletic scholarships or financial aid help Columbia Union attract student athletes.
The school reports its educational mission is:
"Statement of Mission
Columbia Union College is a learning community committed to the Seventh-day Adventist Christian vision of excellence and service. This cosmopolitan institution challenges students to seize the opportunities for learning in the nationĘs capital in order to become moral leaders in communities throughout the world."
More complete details are provided below.
Columbia Union College
7600 Flower Ave
Takoma Park, MD 20912
General Phone: (301) 891-4000
http://www.cuc.edu
| General Category | Degrees | Most Common Majors [see all] |
|---|---|---|
| Business and Management | 79 | business management, accounting |
| Therapy and Counseling | 30 | psychology, substance abuse counseling |
| Liberal Arts | 27 | general studies, political science, English, liberal arts and sciences, history |
| Nursing and Emergency Medicine | 26 | registered nursing, licensed practical nurse |
| Education and Teaching | 17 | elementary school teaching, physical education teaching, music teaching |
| Medical Administration | 14 | health care administration |
| Medical Support and Technology | 8 | respiratory care tech |
| Media | 8 | communication studies, journalism |
| Computer Science and Engineering | 7 | information science, computer science, computer support |
| Science | 7 | biology, biochemistry, chemistry |
| Religion and Philosophy | 7 | theology, religion |
| Mathematics | 1 | mathematics |
| Music | 1 | music performance |
| Office and Administration | 0 | office management |
Number of programs and degrees for Columbia Union in 2008-2009:
| Degree Level | Total Awarded | Number of Programs |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's degree | 176 | 24 |
| Master's degree | 47 | 1 |
| Associate's degree | 9 | 2 |
| Award of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years | 0 | 2 |
| Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 0 | 2 |
In 2007-2008, Columbia Union had a total enrollment of 1,068 students (991 full-time equivalent).
Students By Class:
| Group | Percent |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate | 92% |
| Graduate | 8% |
| Race | Percent |
|---|---|
| White | 15% |
| Black | 48% |
| Hispanic | 9% |
| Asian | 7% |
| American Indian | 0% |
| Unknown | 21% |
| (Foreign Students) | 0% |
Students by Age:
| Age | Percent |
|---|---|
| Under 18 | 1% |
| 18-19 | 17% |
| 20-21 | 20% |
| 22-24 | 18% |
| 25-29 | 12% |
| 30-34 | 8% |
| 35-39 | 7% |
| 40-49 | 11% |
| 50-64 | 5% |
| 65+ | 0% |
Retention Rates (2007):
| Group | Returning From Previous Year |
|---|---|
| Full-Time | 64 % |
Columbia Union offers campus housing for 450 of its 991 (full-time) students.
(Please refer to our profile of Takoma Park, Maryland for details about the area surrounding the campus. Also see our list of other Maryland Colleges).
The school offers students a meal plan with 19 meals per week.
Expenses and Financial Aid:
| Expense | Amount |
|---|---|
| In-state tuition and fees | $ 19,430 |
| Out-of-state tuition and fees | $ 19,430 |
| Room and board | $ 6,887 |
| Room charge | $ 3,742 |
| Board (meal plan) charge | $ 3,145 |
| Books and supplies | $ 950 |
| Other expenses | $ 2,050 |
Financial Aid:
Columbia Union participates in Federal Title IV financial aid programs. (The school's OPE ID is 206700)
Salaries for full-time faculty:
Full-Time Faculty (2008-2009):
| Full-Time Faculty Level | Contract Length | Number Men | Avg Salary Men | Number Women | Avg Salary Women |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Professor | calendar year | 11 | $58,820 | 4 | $62,328 |
| Associate professor | calendar year | 6 | $55,563 | 6 | $57,154 |
| Assistant professor | calendar year | 5 | $51,678 | 10 | $51,892 |
| Instructor | calendar year | 1 | * | 5 | $39,782 |
| All faculty total | calendar year | 23 | $55,906 | 25 | $52,403 |
*: salaries are not displayed where there are fewer than 3 professors in the category.
Athletic Conferences:
| Sport | Conference |
|---|---|
| Basketball | Division II Independents |
| Baseball | Division II Independents |
| Track | Division II Independents |
Students on Athletic Scholarships (2007):
| Sport | Men | Women | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total | 51 | 35 | 86 |
| Basketball | 15 | 10 | 25 |
| Baseball | 14 | 0 | 14 |
| Track | 7 | 7 | 14 |
| All Other Sports | 15 | 18 | 33 |
BUSINESS AND MANAGEMENT
Accounting
Business Administration and Management, General
COMPUTER SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
Computer Science
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services, Other
Information Science/Studies
EDUCATION AND TEACHING
Elementary Education and Teaching
Music Teacher Education
Physical Education Teaching and Coaching
LIBERAL ARTS
English Language and Literature, General
General Studies
History, General
Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies
Political Science and Government, General
MATHEMATICS
Mathematics, General
MEDIA
Communication Studies/Speech Communication and Rhetoric
Journalism
MEDICAL ADMINISTRATION
Health/Health Care Administration/Management
MEDICAL SUPPORT AND TECHNOLOGY
Respiratory Care Therapy/Therapist
MUSIC
Music Performance, General
NURSING AND EMERGENCY MEDICINE
Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training
Nursing/Registered Nurse (RN, ASN, BSN, MSN)
OFFICE AND ADMINISTRATION
Office Management and Supervision
RELIGION AND PHILOSOPHY
Religion/Religious Studies
Theology/Theological Studies
SCIENCE
Biochemistry
Biology/Biological Sciences, General
Chemistry, General
THERAPY AND COUNSELING
Psychology, General
Substance Abuse/Addiction Counseling
(Details are provided further down on this page.)
What Sets Columbia Union Apart:
| Category | Trophy | |
|---|---|---|
| Number of degree programs (vs. colleges of similar size) | Top 8% | ![]() |
| Dorm rooms per full-time student (vs. all colleges) | Top 11% | ![]() |
| Minority % of student body (vs. all colleges) | Top 16% | ![]() |
| % students on athletic fin. aid (vs. all colleges) | Top 17% | ![]() |
| % of degrees in medical administration (vs. all colleges) | Top 18% | ![]() |
| % students 40 years or older (for open-admission colleges) | Top 20% | ![]() |
Notable:
Seventh Day Adventists affiliation
Open admission
Accepts some high school credits
Offers credit for life experience
Grants credits for AP courses
Offers distance learning
Offers weekend classes
Career counseling
Student employment services
Remedial classes for students
Option to study abroad
Offers part-time study
On-campus library
Offers campus housing
Offers a board (meal) plan
Offers athletic scholarships
NCAA athletic conference member
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