Athens State University is a two-year upper level university located in Athens, Alabama, United States. Thirty-three different majors are offered to junior and senior students. The majors are housed in one of three colleges: Education, Arts and Sciences, and Business. Athens State University began as the Athens Female Academy in 1822.[1] The Methodist Church began oversight of the institution in 1842, changing the name to the Athens Female Institute. It became Athens Female College in 1889.[3] In 1931 the name was shortened to Athens College when it became coeducational. In 1974 Athens State became a public institution run by the state of Alabama, and the college became known as Athens State College. Later, in 1998, the college became Athens State University. Recently, Athens State has moved to an autonomous university status and has established a board of trustees.