The University of West Alabama, also known as UWA, is a public university that is situated on a rural, 600 acre campus in Livingston, Alabama. UWA was established in 1835 as a church-affiliated female school known as the Livingston Female Academy. UWA was founded by Scotch-Irish Presbyterians, and its purpose was to provide an education to future teachers while also offering classes in music, art, home economics and languages. The name of the institution changed to the Alabama Normal College for Girls and Livingston Female Academy in 1883, and offered students the choice of either two or four year academic programs.  In 1929, the college was renamed the Livingston State Teachers College, and became Livingston State College in 1957, Livingston University in 1967 and received its current name, The University of West Alabama, in 1995.

UWA offers bachelor’s, master’s and education specialist degrees through the following academic divisions:

• College of Business and Technology
• College of Education
• College of Liberal Arts
• College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics
• Division of Nursing
• School of Graduate Studies

The online program at UWA offers master’s and education specialist degrees, and also offers bachelor's degrees in business technology, business administration, and accounting. Online courses are offered over the time frame of eight weeks, and five sessions are available per year, which makes it possible for students to finish their program in an accelerated manner.