University of Arkansas at Fort Smith

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