University of Advancing Technology

University of Advancing Technology

Type	for-profit
Established	1983
President	Jason Pistillo
Provost	Dr. Dave Bolman
Administrative staff	~150
Undergraduates	~900
Postgraduates	~100
Location	Tempe, Arizona, USA
Colors	Red, Black, Silver
Mascot	none official
Website	http://www.UAT.edu

University of Advancing Technology (UAT) is a for-profit institution of higher education in Tempe, Arizona. Founded in 1983, UAT is a university with multiple areas of study in technology disciplines. Sometimes misunderstood to be a vocational school due to the history of their offerings in a vocational context, UAT is an accredited university, with specific emphasis on how its specialized mission integrates technology into its general education requirements. The institution offers core classes (e.g., Legal Issues in Technology, Technology and Society, Ethics in Technology), as well as deep sets of courses in each major.

UAT offers Associate's, Bachelor's and Master's degrees, on campus and online. The school has an enrollment of approximately 1000 students. UAT also participates in a student exchange with DeMontfort University, UK.

Founded in 1983, the University of Advancing Technology was first known as CAD Institute, a small school focused on training engineers and architects in the then new field of computer-aided design. Students came to CAD Institute seeking professional development training and certifications. The institution received accreditation in 1987 by the Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training (ACECT) at the diploma and occupational associate’s level.

In 1992, CAD Institute founded an initial research center, the Computer Reality Center. The center primarily performed research for the computer graphics industry, with specific emphasis on the field of virtual reality. The Institute also shifted to a new accrediting agency, the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS), which certified it as a college.

In 1996, CAD Institute was accredited as a four-year institution. That same year, the Institute began offering educational programs outside the CAD focus. In order to reflect the broadened technology focus of students within the institution, the CAD name was retired in 1997; the institution was renamed the University of Advancing Computer Technology (UACT).