Alabama State University is a regional comprehensive, historically black, state-supported university. In carrying out its mission, the university serves the city of Montgomery, the state, the nation and the global community. Its major commitments are quality programs of undergraduate and graduate instruction, residential life, continuing education, public service, and research provided at the most reasonable cost to individual students and taxpayers.

The university will continue to strengthen its academic programs in education, business and the liberal arts while giving even greater emphasis to the science programs at the graduate and undergraduate levels. The science emphasis is in recognition of the gross under presentation of minority professionals in this broad and important field throughout the nation. The university will also expand further its public service programs through strengthening programs of service of local and state political leaders and providing them with research-based guidance on policy and program approaches and initiatives for addressing community problems. The university aims to develop and pursue these programs in a manner to ensure that eligible students who desire to develop and expand their scholastic skills for personal, occupational, or professional growth have the opportunity to do so, regardless of social economic status. Respect for the intellectual potential and dignity of students as individual human beings, without regard to age, sex, race, color, cultural background, national origin, or disability, shall be paramount.