When the decision was made to establish AUM, Auburn University purchased the Bell Street facilities owned by the University of Alabama. These facilities served as a temporary location for AUM from 1968 until 1971, while the campus was being developed. In 1973 AUM was accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools as an operationally separate institution. A broad-based academic institution, AUM is organized into five academic schools and one extension division. The academic schools are Liberal Arts, Sciences, Education, Nursing, and Business.
All schools offer graduate level courses.
The extension division is the Division of Continuing Education. In addition, AUM's Air University Graduate Program is set up in cooperation with the Air University at Maxwell Air Force Base, located in Montgomery. Through this cooperative effort, master's degree programs are offered in Political Science and Public Administration. Classes meet at Maxwell AFB in facilities provided by the Air University. Classes on the AUM campus are held Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. and on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at hours that vary from semester to semester.