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 around 7,000 students each semester 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
• 6,626 total
• 56% female, 44% 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.
Communication, Languages, Arts & Social Sciences
Associate of Arts
Associate of General Studies
Bachelor of Arts
• English
• History
• Media Communication
• Music
• Political Science
• Psychology
• Rhetoric and Writing
• Spanish
• Studio Art
• Theater
Bachelor of General Studies*
Bachelor of Science
• Criminal Justice
• Graphic Design
Bachelor of Social Work
Business
Bachelor of Business Administration
• Accounting
• Business Administration
• Finance
• International Business
• Marketing
Education
Associate of Applied Science
• Early Childhood Education
Bachelor of Music Education
• Music Education—Instrumental K-12
• Music Education—Vocal K-12
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
Health Sciences
Associate of Applied Science
• Radiography
• Surgical Technology
Bachelor of Science
• Dental Hygiene
• Imaging Sciences—Diagnostic Medical Sonography*
• Imaging Sciences—Leadership* (available online)
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
• Nursing
• Nursing RN to BSN (online-only program for registered nurses)
Master of Science
• Healthcare Administration
Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics
Associate of Science
• Electrical Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering
Bachelor of Science
• Biology
• Chemistry
• Criminal Justice
• Engineering—Electrical or Mechanical**
• Geoscience
• Information Technology
• Mathematics
Applied science & technology
Associate of Applied Science
• Computer Graphic Technology
• Electronics Technology
– Robotics (certificate)
• General Technology
– Automotive
– General
– Welding
• Legal Studies
• Office Management Technology
• Unmanned Aerial Systems
• Workforce Leadership
Bachelor of Applied Science* (online option available)
Bachelor of Science
• Animation Technology*
• Electrical Engineering Technology*
• Organizational Leadership (online option available)
* Student required to begin in an associate degree or specific courses before entering bachelor’s program
** Offered in coordination with the University of Arkansas in 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. UAFS offers 60 bachelor’s and associate degrees, 35 certificates, and a master’s program with state-of-the-art campus facilities utilized by every program to ensure the most up-to-date, hands-on training.
Campus life
UAFS has more than 100 registered student organizations and adds an average of 10 new organizations every year. During the 2016–2017 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 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 the most affordable university in the state, UAFS offers a life-changing education without the burden of excessive student loan debt. UAFS prepares students for the next step in their lives through applied learning overseen by dedicated professors, a tight-knit campus offering countless leadership opportunities, and state-of-the-art facilities that enhance learning both in and out of the classroom. From painting murals as part of an international arts festival to being mentored by CEOs of Fortune 500 companies, UAFS students receive countless opportunities to develop the skills necessary to succeed in the 21st century. Visit our beautiful campus and learn more about the opportunities UAFS has to offer.”
— Dr. Edward Serna
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