Degree Programs at the University of Central Arkansas
The University of Central Arkansas appears in our ranking of the 50 Accelerated Masters in Sports Management Online.
On average, college graduates earn $17,500 more than those who hold a high school diploma while individuals who hold a bachelor’s degree or higher earn as much as $15,500 more than people with a two-year degree. In addition, research shows that young people who are not going to college have a higher risk of poverty and are less likely to find full-time employment than those with a college degree. The University of Arkansas offers several degree programs that are designed to help increase salaries and allow individuals to have more job security.The University of Central Arkansas has eight colleges and schools. These are:
- Business
- Education
- Fine Arts & Communication
- Graduate School
- Health & Behavioral Sciences
- Liberal Arts
- Natural Sciences & Mathematics
- Schedler Honors College
The College of Business offers a Bachelor of Business Administration in Insurance and Risk Management that is available both online, on campus and in a hybrid version. The program provides a broad-based understanding of risk management and insurance. The first portion of the program includes a core of general education courses. The second includes a business foundation that covers accounting, economics, finance, management, marketing and more. The final part of the program is insurance and risk management. Courses include Investments, Managing Policy and Strategy, Employee Benefits and Corporate Risk Management.
The College of Health and Behavioral Sciences offers a Master of Science in Health Promotion that prepares students for the Certified Health Education Specialist examination. The program is available both on campus, online or in a hybrid version. Students gain an understanding of the administration of health programs as well as the planning and evaluation of health-related programming. Biostatistics and epidemiology are also covered in broad terms. Courses required may include Health Education in the Medical Care Setting, Environmental Health Problems, Foundations of Research in Health & Applied Sciences as well as Foundations in Health Science.
The College of Liberal Arts offers a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing that is available on campus only. The program provides graduate students with the opportunity to concentrate on the study, practice, and teaching of Creative Writing. The program is three years and ensures graduates will build multi-genre backgrounds through workshops, forms courses, topics courses and a wide range of electives. Courses required may include Advanced Forms and Theory of Poetry, Advanced Fiction Workshop, Advanced Special Topics in Creative Writing and Advanced Forms and Theory of Creative Nonfiction.
About University of Central Arkansas
In 1907, the Arkansas legislature created the Arkansas State Normal School with the goal of educating teachers in order to centralize teacher training. The school opened its doors in 1908 with nine departments with classes held in one building on 80 acres in Conway. In 1925, in an effort to better reflect the focus of the school, the name was changed to Arkansas State Teachers College.
By 1967, the mission of the Arkansas State Teachers College had changed significantly. Although teacher training was still a focus, other fields began to expand. Because of this expansion, the school was renamed the State College of Arkansas. The school continued to expand and, in 1975, became the University of Central Arkansas.
Today, there are more than 11,100 students enrolled at the University of Central Arkansas and there are 162 programs offered. The school is a leader in higher education and is committed to excellence through the delivery of outstanding undergraduate and graduate programs that remain current and responsive to the needs it serves.
University of Central Arkansas Accreditation Details
The University of Central Arkansas is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Accreditation indicates that the school meets or exceeds criteria the Commission has determined to indicate excellence in higher education. It also indicates that the school has the resources to meet its stated goals and objectives. During peer-review that occurs occasionally, any areas that are identified as needing improvement are addressed as quickly as possible. In addition, accreditation permits students to apply for and receive federal student aid. Programs throughout the school are accredited by the following organizations:
- ABET
- Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics
- Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education
- American Chemical Society
- American Physical Therapy Education
- American Psychological Association
- Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International
- Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education
- Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education
- Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
- Council for Interior Design Accreditation
- Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation
- Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology
- National Association of School Psychologists
- National Association of Schools of Art and Design
University of Central Arkansas Application Requirements
Applicants to the Bachelor of Business Administration in Insurance and Risk Management must provide official high school transcripts as well as official ACT or SAT scores. Applicants who have earned college credit after high school graduation must also submit official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended.
In order to apply for the Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing, applicants must submit a 500-word statement of purpose as well as a 10-30 page portfolio of creative writings in the area they hope to study. They must hold a bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university and must provide official transcripts from all attended.
Online students follow the same admission procedures as on-campus students.
University of Central Arkansas
Tuition for the Bachelor of Business Administration in Insurance and Risk Management online is $285 per credit hour, $426.21 for traditional classes and $424.71 for hybrid programs. Tuition for the Master of Science in Health Promotion online is $476.01 per credit hour for hybrid programs, $477.51 for traditional classes and $325 per credit hour for full online attendance. Tuition for the Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing is $477.51 per credit hour.
Financial aid is available and all students are encouraged to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Financial aid may be awarded in the form of loans, scholarships or grants. On-campus students may also be offered assistantships, fellowships or work-study programs.
The University of Central Arkansas is a premier learner-focused public university and is a national leader that has been recognized for a continuous record of excellence as well as engagement at the local, regional, national and global levels.