UA, college offer business degree
Posted on Wednesday, May 17, 2006
URL: http://www.nwanews.com/adg/News/154913/
Northwest Arkansas Community College business students soon will be able to pursue a bachelor’s degree from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville without leaving their Bentonville campus.
Beginning this fall, UA’s Sam M. Walton College of Business will offer classes at the community college for students with an associate degree in business to complete a bachelor of science in business administration with a major in general business.
The general business degree completion program is designed to meet the needs of students who are not able to pursue the traditional degree program offered at UA’s Fayetteville campus because of family or work obligations, said Jerry May, vice president for learning at the community college.
It is the second time the institutions have partnered to offer community college students the chance to continue their studies. Last fall, UA began offering classes at the Bentonville campus for students wanting a bachelor of science in education.
“These programs are designed to meet key needs in the Bentonville and Rogers areas,” said Bob Smith, UA provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs.
University officials decided to start with the education degree program to help address high demand for teachers in the area. The business degree program likewise will help meet the needs of a growing number of companies moving to Northwest Arkansas, he said.
Karen Boston, assistant dean for undergraduate programs at UA’s business college, said there are no projections on how many students will participate in the general business degree program. An informational session is planned for 6: 15 p. m. Thursday in White Auditorium at the community college.
“We’re still recruiting and students are still applying,” Boston said.
Students will take two evening classes during the fall and spring semesters, and one course during each of two sixweek summer sessions. It will take the average student 11 semesters, or 3 / 2 years, to complete the degree, she said.
Students will pay a continuing education fee, standard UA tuition and Walton College costs, but not the amenity fees associated with the main UA campus, Boston said.
Tom Smith, head of the department of curriculum and instruction at UA’s College of Education and Health Professions, said 22 students are enrolled in the education degree completion program, with 50 more expected to begin this fall.
“It’s been much more successful than we ever imagined,” he said.
The program offers five courses a semester and is expanding with evening classes this fall, Tom Smith said. It is an alternative to the five-year Master of Arts in teaching offered at UA.
Jerry Vervack, chairman of the social and behavioral sciences and education division at the community college, said graduates are eligible to pursue a state license to teach elementary school, to help ease local teacher shortages. “The need for qualified public school teachers is so great in Northwest Arkansas,” Vervack said. Bob Smith said the university and college continue to explore partnership opportunities, but have no current plans for additional programs.
To contact this reporter: cpark@arkansasonline. com