Southern Arkansas University was founded in 1909 by an act of the Arkansas Legislature as a district agricultural high school for southwest Arkansas and was originally called Third District Agricultural School. Faculty and students often refer the school as TDAS.

The University's 1st term started in January of 1911 and from then until 1925 the school's curriculum comprised only subjects at the secondary school level. In 1925, the state Legislature authorized the school to add 2 years of college curriculum and to change the name from Third District Agricultural School to Agricultural and Mechanical College, 3rd District. The institution offered both high school and community college courses until 1937, at which time high school courses ceased to be offered. In the fall of 1949, the Board of Trustees resolved to develop the college as a 4 year, degree-granting university. The Board authorized the addition of 3rd year college level courses starting in the fall of 1950 and 4th year courses were included in 1951. By Act eleven, dated Jan. 24, 1951, the state Legislature altered the name of the school to Southern State College. In 1975, the college was accredited and approved to offer a master of education degree in selected areas. After the approval of the Board of Trustees, the name of the school was changed to Southern Arkansas University.

Southern Arkansas University is a comprehensive, quality regional college that offers degrees in the Colleges of Business, Education, Liberal and Performing Arts, and Science and Technology. The University holds accreditation from the National Association of Schools of Music, Council on Social Work Education, Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education, the Commission of Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs and the Joint Review Committee on Athletic Training Education Programs, the National League for Nursing and the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.