With modest beginnings in 1928 as a junior college teaching classes in rooms underneath the bleachers of a local high school’s football stadium, the University of Arkansas—Fort Smith has become the premier regional institution for western Arkansas, serving more than 6,500 students and contributing hundreds of millions of dollars to the local economy each year.
Quick Facts
Location
170-acre campus located in Fort Smith, the second-largest city in Arkansas, just 50 miles south of Fayetteville
Student Population
• 6,637 total
• 44.6% female, 55.4% male
Academics
• 80 undergraduate majors and minors (certificates of proficiency, technical certificates, associate degrees, bachelor’s degrees) and one master’s degree
• Many travel opportunities, with Maymester trips and our Study Abroad Program
Student-Faculty Ratio
18:1
Athletics
• NCAA Division II varsity sports
• Member of NJCAA, Heartland Conference
• Intramural sports
Tuition and Financial Aid
2017–2018 undergraduate in-state tuition, $166.30 per credit hour; out-of-state tuition, $461 per credit hour. Each year more than 80% of UAFS undergraduates receive financial aid. This comes in the form of scholarships, grants, loans, work-study, and other tuition assistance programs.
Areas of Study
Communication, Languages, Arts & Social Sciences
Bachelor of Arts
• English
• History
• Media Communication
• Music
• Political Science
• Psychology
• Rhetoric and Writing
• Spanish
• Studio Art
• Theater
Bachelor of Science
• Criminal Justice
• Graphic Design
Bachelor of Social Work
Bachelor of General Studies*
Associate of Arts
Associate of General Studies
Business
Bachelor of Business Administration
• Accounting
• Business Administration
• Finance
• International Business
• Marketing
Education
Bachelor of Science
• Elementary Education K-6
• Middle Childhood Education 4-8
Bachelor of Science with Teacher Licensure
• Biology 7-12
• English 7-12
• History with Social Studies 7-12
• Mathematics 7-12
• Spanish K-12
Bachelor of Music Education
• Music Education—Instrumental K-12
• Music Education—Vocal K-12
Associate of Applied Science
• Early Childhood Education
Health Sciences
Bachelor of Science
• Dental Hygiene
• Imaging Sciences—Diagnostic Medical Sonography*
• Imaging Sciences—Leadership* (available online)
Bachelor of Science Nursing
• Nursing
• Nursing RN to BSN (online-only program for registered nurses)
Associate of Applied Science
• Radiography
• Surgical Technology
Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics
Bachelor of Science
• Biology
• Chemistry
• Criminal Justice
• Engineering—Electrical or Mechanical**
• Geoscience
• Information Technology
• Mathematics
Associate of Science
• Electrical Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering
Applied Science and Technology
Bachelor of Applied Science* (online option available)
Bachelor of Science
• Animation Technology*
• Electrical Engineering Technology*
• Organizational Leadership (online option available)
Associate of Applied Science
• Computer Graphic Technology
• Electronics Technology
– Robotics (certificate)
• General Technology
– Automotive
– General
– Welding
• Office Management Technology
• Paralegal Studies
• Workforce Leadership
* Student required to begin in an associate degree or
specific courses before entering bachelor’s program
** Offered in coordination with the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
Situated on a beautiful 170-acre campus, UAFS prepares students for postgraduate success through dedicated faculty, state-of-the-art facilities, and academic environments offering unique hands-on learning opportunities for students. We offer more than 100 future-focused degrees, opportunities for internships with regional employers, and flexible learning options.
Campus life
UAFS has 104 registered student organizations and adds an average of 10 new organizations every year. During the 2015–2016 academic year, our student organizations hosted more than 300 events and activities both on and off campus. The Campus Activities Board hosts more than 100 student activities each year, including a movie series showing popular films and documentaries. The Season of Entertainment, an annual series of nationally touring shows and musical performances, welcomes Tony and Emmy award–winning musicals and musicians to Fort Smith. Season of Entertainment shows are free to students.
UAFS is known nationally for its strong tradition in intercollegiate athletics. A longtime member of the NJCAA, UAFS won two national championships in men’s basketball and one in women’s basketball and was national runner-up in women’s basketball and volleyball. Since becoming a member of NCAA Division II and the Heartland Conference, UAFS has won conference championships in volleyball, women’s basketball, men’s basketball, and men’s golf.
Living on campus
First-time, full-time incoming college freshmen who want to live on campus must stay in our Lion’s Den Residence Hall, which offers suite-style living. Returning students can live in the Sebastian Commons apartments. We do our best to honor mutual roommate requests, and we have a systematic approach for matching residents based on a student’s response to a questionnaire.
Internships and work-study
Internships are one of many applied learning opportunities students receive at UAFS, and the University encourages students to pursue internships across the city and beyond. UAFS students have interned with the Naval Criminal Investigative Services (NCIS), NASA, and prestigious literary presses in addition to companies across the greater Fort Smith region. The University also sends a student to Washington, DC, each summer to intern with Congressman Steve Womack through a fellowship established in John Paul Hammerschmidt’s name.
Word from the Chancellor
“As one of the best values in the state for a career-focused education, the University of Arkansas—Fort Smith prepares students for the next step in their lives through applied learning overseen by dedicated professors, a tight-knit campus offering numerous leadership opportunities, and a unique bond with the community that allows them to do more with their education. Our students apply what they’ve learned in a variety of ways: they paint in international murals festivals, write and direct their own theatrical productions, intern with industry leaders and elected officials, and receive mentoring opportunities from community leaders and CEOs. Visit our beautiful campus and learn more about the opportunities UAFS has to offer.” — Dr. Paul B. Beran
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