Exploring Arizona State University's Downtown Phoenix Campus
Arizona State University's Downtown Phoenix campus (ASU Downtown) is a vibrant public research university located in the heart of Phoenix, Arizona. Established in 2006 under the leadership of ASU President Michael M. Crow, the campus has become an integral part of the city's downtown core, fostering strong connections between students and the surrounding professional community. The campus is located in the downtown area of Phoenix, in an area bound by Van Buren Street, Fillmore Street, 3rd Avenue, and 7th Street.
A Hub of Academic and Career Opportunities
Woven into the downtown business and professional community, ASU’s Downtown Phoenix campus creates strong learning and career connections for more than 11,500 students with media, health care, corporate and government organizations. The campus is strategically located to provide students with unparalleled access to internships, research opportunities, and future employment prospects. With the exciting downtown energy, there’s many things to see and do here.
Academic Focus
Initially, the campus was envisioned as the primary location for ASU's health-related programs. The Edson College of Nursing & Health Innovation was the first college to relocate downtown. However, due to the university's continued growth, this plan was later revised. Today, ASU Downtown houses a diverse range of academic colleges and schools, including:
- The Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions: One of the first colleges to relocate to the Downtown Phoenix Campus when it opened in 2006. The Watts College comprises four schools-Community Resources and Development, Criminology and Criminal Justice, Public Affairs and Social Work-as well as more than 20 research centers. The college's aim is to integrate teaching, research and systems-level thinking to address the most daunting challenges facing society.
- The Edson College of Nursing & Health Innovation: In August 2006, the College of Nursing & Health Innovation moved to the new Downtown Phoenix Campus. The new building, previously called Park Place, was a 1980s-era office building, and was extensively renovated to meet education and research requirements and renamed Health South. Shortly thereafter, Health North was constructed across the courtyard.
- The College of Health Solutions: Formed in 2012 to address the national challenge of poor health outcomes and unsustainable healthcare costs. The goals of the college are to simultaneously improve the patient care experience, improve the health of the population, and reduce per capita health care costs while improving health outcomes.
- The College of Integrative Sciences and Arts: Formerly the College of Letters and Sciences, is based on Arizona State University's Downtown Phoenix campus and offers the liberal arts core curriculum for the campus, as well as bachelor's degree programs in Communication, General Studies, and Interdisciplinary Studies. Instruction ranges from humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences. It also collaborates with other colleges and schools.
- The Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law: The Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law has relocated to the Downtown Phoenix Campus.
- The Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College: Offers programs leading to the B.A., M.Ed., and Ed.D. in many fields, such as early childhood education, elementary education, secondary education, special education, and educational administration/supervision.
- The Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication: The Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication building is a $71 million, six-story state-of-the-art facility, which is closer to more major metropolitan news operations than any journalism school in the country. The building provides students with seven collaborative digital newsrooms, computer labs, two TV studios and the 141-seat Cronkite Theatre. The university-operated public television station, Eight, Arizona PBS (KAET), is in the same complex.
Key Locations and Facilities
ASU's Downtown Phoenix campus boasts a range of modern facilities and public spaces that enhance the student experience and foster community engagement.
- Civic Space Park: Civic Space Park is a bridge between the ASU and surrounding community and accommodates a variety of uses, events and daily functions of the university. The post office building, the A. E. England Building, a stage and the green space comprises a student commons area. The splash pad water feature is a fun place to cool off, and there are abundant shady areas for picnics and outdoor relaxation. A signature shade structure is the centerpiece of the park’s sustainable design. Solar panels on the shade structure provide energy for lighting and electrical needs. The Fair Trade Café and Gallery, located in the A.E. England Building, offers organic, fair trade coffee and hosts musical and cultural events. The iconic sculpture that towers over the park was created by artist Janet Echelman. Civic Space Park lights up at night, bringing art and magic to downtown. It’s a beautiful after-dinner spot or a fun picnic spot during the day!
- University Center: University Center boasts modern classrooms, offices, labs, seminar rooms and study areas. It houses student services, the ASU Bookstore and a café. The Information Commons is a central site for Student Computing and the ASU Libraries and provides a single location for access to library materials, research resources and the information technology help desk. The College of Public Service and Community Solutions, College of Integrative Sciences and Arts, Lodestar Center for Philanthropy & Nonprofit Innovation, University College administration offices and student services also operate within this building.
- ASU Art Museum Project Space: The ASU Art Museum Project Space is the downtown extension of the ASU Art Museum in Tempe. This raw experimental space provides our invited artists and scholars from around the world the opportunity to explore new collaborative projects in partnership with diverse communities and organizations in Arizona. Project Space features artist-driven performances, ephemeral installations and community-centered art projects and events.
- Beus Center for Law and Society: The Beus Center for Law and Society brings the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law from Tempe, where it was located for nearly 50 years, to the Downtown Phoenix campus, and closer to the legal, political and economic heart of Arizona. Opened for the fall 2016 semester, the $130 million Beus Center for Law and Society aims to connect the community, as much as students, to law and justice.
ASU's Reputation for Excellence
ASU has a reputation for excellence and is repeatedly ranked No. 1. News & World Report ranks 83 ASU degree programs as top 25 in the nation, with 38 of those in the top 10. Ranked among the top universities in the world by the Academic Ranking of World Universities, Arizona State University creates an unparalleled college experience through academic excellence, prestigious professors, contemporary facilities and dynamic student life.
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A Thriving Urban Campus
ASU’s Downtown Phoenix campus offers a unique learning environment in the heart of a dynamic city. The campus's growth has been linked to the gentrification of Downtown Phoenix, Arizona. With its state-of-the-art facilities, strong academic programs, and close ties to the surrounding community, ASU Downtown provides students with the resources and opportunities they need to succeed.
Exploring ASU: Finding the Right Fit
ASU offers multiple campuses and locations, each with its own size and feel, so you can find the learning environment that fits you best. ASU students study on the campus of their major but can choose to take classes and enjoy activities across all campuses.
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