its educational program and its commitment to the liberal arts education of our students.  I want to thank every member of the two visiting committees and the COC liaison representative, as well as the entire AMU Board of Trustees, faculty and staff, for their time and expertise in making this a fruitful and constructive journey to membership."

SACS membership will directly benefit AMU students, especially those planning on entering post-graduate programs. Though AMU has been accredited by the American Academy for Liberal Education (AALE) since 2008, some graduate programs accept only alumni of regionally accredited schools. 

SACS is one of six regional accrediting associations that accredit institutions of higher education in the United States.  Membership also will impact university funding and makes AMU eligible to receive additional foundation grants and increased federal and state resources, which would allow the institution to improve and expand programs for students.

As a SACS university member, AMU will strive for continuous improvement in order to maintain accreditation.  Members are reevaluated on a regular basis to ensure accreditation criteria continue to be met.

Ave Maria University (AMU) was founded in 2002 to provide a liberal arts education in the Catholic tradition.  To this end, the university was founded on the principles of the apostolic document Ex Corde Ecclesiae.  Ave Maria University is dedicated to the advancement of human culture, the promotion of dialogue between faith and reason, the formation of men and women in the intellectual and moral virtues of the Catholic faith, and the development of professional and pre-professional programs in response to local and societal needs. 

The university features a broad range of undergraduate courses and programs ranging from the humanities to business administration. AMU also offers graduate degrees in Theology at the master's and doctoral levels.  AMU has a total enrollment of more than 1,200 students (Florida campus, San Marcos, Nicaragua and the Institute for Pastoral Theology program) and has attracted students from 49 states and more than 25 foreign countries.