University Profile
The University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, serves as the major center of liberal and professional education and as the primary land-grant campus in the state. In addition, it is Arkansas' major source of theoretical and applied research and the provider of a wide range of public services to people throughout the state and nation. In serving its threefold mission of teaching, research, and public service, the University strives to be recognized for excellence and continues to expand and strengthen its nationally and regionally competitive programs while maintaining a high level of competence in all programs.
The University offers a broad spectrum of academic programs leading to baccalaureate, master's, doctoral, and professional degrees, not only in traditional disciplines within arts, humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences, but also in the core professional areas of agricultural, food and life sciences; architecture; business; education; engineering; human environmental sciences; and law. Through its faculty and its student body, the campus seeks to have all of its programs regionally competitive and, in addition, to offer nationally competitive programs in selected areas.
The U of A offers 87 bachelor's degrees in 78 fields of study. To complement its strong, broad-based undergraduate program, the University offers graduate education. The U of A offers 126 graduate degrees in 86 fields. Doctoral degrees are offered in 26 areas. Other degrees include Educational Specialist, Doctor of Education, and Doctor of Philosophy. Teaching activities are integrated with research activities in each of these programs.
The campus has statewide responsibility to provide research leadership in advancing the frontiers of knowledge. The research programs serve three primary purposes. First, as part of graduate instruction, research promotes students' abilities to appreciate and to implement, to discover, and to teach. Second, research programs serve as vital sources of information on the economic and social needs of Arkansas. Third, in selected areas, research on the Fayetteville campus serves a national and international scholarly community.
The campus is committed to a future that includes sustained growth in its research and scholarship.
The University provides extensive technical and professional services to varied groups and individuals throughout the state, helping to further Arkansas' economic growth. In addition, the Fayetteville campus serves as a significant resource to the state. It operates nationally respected high school and college-level correspondence programs; it assists other institutions in developing educational programs; it offers graduate programs, both cooperatively and singly, throughout the state; and it makes specialized campus resources such as computing services and library resources available to other institutions in the state. The campus will continue to serve this unique role and may expand these services to continue providing statewide education through an uplink/downlink network as well as through additional cooperative graduate education programs.
HISTORY
The University of Arkansas was established at Fayetteville in 1871. It opened its doors to students on January 22, 1872.
There were few facilities and practically no money for the beginning of that first academic year more than a century ago, but the new institution had a distinct advantage that has been of increasing importance throughout the years. It was established under provisions of the Morrill Act as both the State University and the Land-Grant College of Arkansas. This gave the new university an academic heritage from universities of the past and at the same time bestowed the educational responsibilities in "agriculture and mechanic arts" as envisioned by Senator Justin Smith Morrill of Vermont. The Morrill Act set aside federal land-grant money to help states in their efforts to establish programs of higher education.
The location of Fayetteville for the University was determined by elections held throughout the state for the purpose of voting bonds or subscriptions to establish the University. The largest bid came from the County of Washington and the City of Fayetteville for a combined total of $130,000. To this amount and the Congressional land grant of 150,000 acres, the state added an appropriation of $50,000 for the benefit of the institution. The 160-acre homestead of William McIlroy was selected as the campus site and purchased for $12,000. The McIlroy home was converted into classrooms, and a new, two-story, frame building was constructed with one classroom on each floor.
From a small beginning of eight students and three faculty members on the opening day of classes, the University of Arkansas has developed into a mature institution with eight schools and colleges. It is the major center in Arkansas for graduate-level instruction as well as basic and applied research. In addition, its public service activities reach every county in Arkansas.
LOCATION
All units of the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, except those indicated below, are located in Fayetteville, a community of more than 55,000 residents in Washington County, situated in the northwestern part of the state along the western and northern edges of the Ozark Mountains at an elevation of 1,400 feet. The surroundings are of great natural beauty, and the climate of the region is pleasant in all seasons.
The academic units on the Fayetteville campus include eight colleges and schools: the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences, the School of Architecture, the J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences, the Sam M. Walton College of Business Administration, the College of Education and Health Professions, the College of Engineering, the School of Law, and the Graduate School.
The state office of the Cooperative Extension Service is located in Little Rock. The Division of Agriculture Arkansas Experiment Station operates the Main Station located in Fayetteville; research programs in the Division of Agriculture are also at the University of Arkansas, Pine Bluff; Arkansas State University; the department of forestry at the University of Arkansas, Monticello; four research and extension centers, and at 10 outlying stations.
ENROLLING AT THE U OF A
Q: So, what does it take to get into the U of A?
A: Apply! Your GPA and test scores will count. We advise you totake the college prep core and try to maintain at least a B average. Also, take the ACT or SAT test more than once if you need to, and make the best possible score.We know you also have a life outside of class, and it's very important, too. We see you as an individual. Everything you tell us about yourself will help us consider whether you have what it takes to graduate and start your career.
Q: Is there a minimum GPA or test score required for admission?
A: We won't throw out your application because of a low GPA or test score. But typically the higher your GPA and test scores, the better your chances of succeeding here. To give yourself the best possible chance of success at the University of Arkansas, aim for a B average (3.0) or higher, and try to score no lower than a 20 on the ACT or 960 on the SAT.
Q: What about my extracurricular activities? I play in the band and volunteer at the hospital.
A: They count, too. Your activities fill in the blanks about who you are by showing us your interests, dedication, and ability to manage your time. Tell us about your school activities, community and church activities, and any honors and awards you have received.
Q: What classes should I take in high school?
A: The U of A is going to challenge you. Prepare in high school by taking four years each of English and math and three years each of social studies, natural sciences and electives such as foreign language and computer science. We know these courses help prepare you for college work.
Q: What are the ACT and SAT codes for the U of A?
A: The ACT code for the U of A is 0144. Our SAT code is 6866.
Q: When should I apply?
A: As soon as possible. Your application will be reviewed as soon as we get it. If we need more information from you, we'll let you know right away. For scholarship consideration you must apply by February 15 of your senior year. Your application for admission also serves as your scholarship application. Remember, it's easier and faster to apply online at http://www.uark.edu/sis/apply/application.html.
Q: How do I get more information?
A: You may visit us in person or on the Internet at http://pigtrail.uark.edu/.
A MESSAGE FROM THE CHANCELLOR
I invite you to share in our vision for the University of Arkansas as we work to emerge as a nationally competitive, student-centered research university serving Arkansas and the world. It's a vision that comes closer to realization with each passing year, thanks to an enormously talented faculty, bright and hard-working students, a dedicated staff, and a network of enthusiastic alumni and devoted friends across the state, nation and world.
And it's a vision that's contingent upon making rapid progress toward our five institutional goals:
* Enhancing and developing programs of excellence in teaching, research and outreach;
* Increasing the size and quality of our student body;
* Enhancing diversity among our faculty, students, and staff;
* Increasing public financial support, particularly that provided by the state;
* Increasing private gift support from our alumni and friends.
To be sure, the University of Arkansas already is one of the nation's great public flagship universities. It has a proud legacy of internationally significant scientific and intellectual accomplishment in many academic fields. It also has cachet as a great teaching university and has produced 112,000 graduates over its nearly 130-year history who have provided leadership in professions and occupations across our state and world. The University creatively harnesses its intellectual capital to reach out to Arkansans and others through myriad outreach and public service programs, making life better for everyone.
Notwithstanding, this proud record of accomplishment, the University of Arkansas is not content to stand still. We are in the process of profound and far-reaching change as we build an institution that serves ever more effectively as both an economic engine and cultural and intellectual resource to Arkansas and the world.
I invite you to use this catalog of the University Arkansas and become better acquainted with who we are and where we're going. On behalf of the University of Arkansas community, I also invite your support and involvement as we create a better future for the people we serve.
Sincerely,
John A. White
Chancellor
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The Office
of University Relations
800 Hotz Hall
Fayetteville, Arkansas 72701
(501) 575-5555
urelinfo@cavern.uark.edu