The University

The University of Arkansas, organized under provisions of the Federal Land-Grant Act, was instituted by the General Assembly of Arkansas, March 27, 1871. Fayetteville was chosen as the site, and first students were enrolled January 22, 1872. The purpose of the Land-Grant Act was to provide a system of public higher education which would offer college opportunities to all qualified persons, regardless of their economic or social status. The University of Arkansas, as a land-grant institution, is committed to this policy. Its basic aim is to provide the finest educational opportunities to all students, regardless of race, color, or creed.

The Fayetteville campus covers approximately 420 acres and is situated in the Ozark Mountains of Northwest Arkansas at an elevation of 1,400 feet.

Four separate institutions are also a part of the University of Arkansas System: the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (located in Little Rock), the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, and the University of Arkansas at Monticello.

The Medical Sciences campus includes the Colleges of Medicine, Health Related Professions, Pharmacy, and Nursing. It provides a 450-bed teaching hospital, the Barton Research Institute, and Area Health Education Centers across the state.

The Graduate School was established in 1927. Prior to that date graduate work in the University was under the supervision of a Graduate Committee. In 1948 the University established a Graduate Center in Little Rock. Students may earn residence credit there to satisfy the requirements for the Master of Education degrees in vocational education and rehabilitation education. At the Graduate Resident Center for Engineering (University of Arkansas at Little Rock as host campus) all requirements for the Master of Science in Engineering (M.S.E.) degree may be completed. The University also offers special courses for graduate credit in the field of education through the facilities of the University of Arkansas at Monticello and the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. All course requirements for the Master of Business Administration degree and the Master of Education degree may be completed at the Graduate Resident Center in Fort Smith.

In addition to the Graduate School, the following colleges and schools are a part of the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville: the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences; the Colleges of Business Administration, Education, and Engineering; the J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences; the Schools of Architecture and Law; and the Division of Continuing Education. The University's Division of Agriculture includes, in addition to the College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences, the Agricultural Experiment Station and the Cooperative Extension Service.

The University of Arkansas is a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools. In 1986, North Central continued accreditation through the doctoral level for the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville and recommended that the next comprehensive evaluation be made in 1996-97.