University of Arkansas at Little Rock (UALR, UA Little Rock, University of Arkansas-Little Rock, Arkansas Little Rock) Academics and Admissions

Academics

Second-largest member of the University of Arkansas system, the campus at Little Rock became a public institution in 1969. In 1927, the school was founded as a junior college and later morphed into the private Little Rock University. The University of Arkansas at Little Rock is the only metropolitan university in the state, with resources and opportunities from the capital city enhancing nearly every program of study. More than 13,000 part-time and full-time students pursue over 100 programs of study on the large urban campus. A student to faculty ration of 16:1 means smaller classes and more personalized instruction.

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. Each of UALR’s departments and schools are similarly accredited by regional and national entities. Six colleges, a graduate school and a law school comprise the academic offerings available to students. In the English department, the William G. Cooper, Jr., Honors Program provides talented students the chance to earn a renewable yearly stipend while completing advanced coursework. Assistantship opportunities in the department allow students to partner with a faculty mentor in pursuit of advanced research.

The William H. Bowen School of Law has been recognized as a leading institution for the specialty of legal writing. Students seeking their JD have the option of earning a Master of Business degree concurrently in one of five specialties. The student body of the Bowen School of Law numbers fewer than 500, making for individualized instruction and a strong sense of community.

Extended Programs through the University of Arkansas at Little Rock move the classroom into the 21st century. Online classes are readily available in most academic departments, freeing up a student’s schedule for work or other responsibilities. Some online classes still require occasional meetings or proctored tests, while others are delivered entirely through the digital medium. Bachelor’s and master’s degrees and certificates can all be earned via online instruction. For students near Benton, Arkansas, an extended campus of UALR allows for completion of an associate’s degree in one of several disciplines, as well as seamless transfer of all credits to the main campus in Little Rock.

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Information Summary

Ranks 10th in Arkansas and 871st overall. See the entire top 2,000 colleges and universities list
Overall Score (about)	82.1
Total Cost On-Campus Attendance	$24,073
Admission Success rate	N/A
ACT / SAT 75%ile scores	25 / 1190
Student Ratio Students-to-Faculty	12 : 1
Retention (full-time / part-time)	68% / 40%
Enrollment Total (all students)	10,515

Admissions

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock maintains rolling admissions for both freshman and transfer students. In other words, applications are accepted all year long, with admitted students being automatically registered for the next semester. Competition is minimal, as 99 percent of freshman applicants are admitted. The Director of Admissions is the lead administrator at the Little Rock campus. At the Benton campus, prospective students need to make an appointment to speak with an admissions or financial aid counselor.

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock application is available online. A non-refundable fee must be paid in order to process the application. Within five days, a UALR official will be in touch to explain the next steps in the application process, which include submitting required credentials and documents.

Freshman Admissions

High-school applicants and other first-time college students must submit their complete transcripts or official GED results. Standardized test scores – ACT, SAT or Compass – must be no older than five years. Immunization records must be verified and current.

Transfers

Prospective transfer students who will still qualify as freshmen must follow the guidelines for high-school applicants as well as supply all higher education transcripts. Transfer students with sophomore standing and above will only need to produce official transcripts and immunization records. All transfer applicants must have earned a GPA of at least 2.0 on previous coursework to earn regular admission.

International Students

Prospective students who are not US citizens are encouraged to apply up to a year in advance. The Office of International Services acts as the liaison for all current and future international students. The University of Arkansas at Little Rock requires all international students to achieve a certain level of proficiency with the English language. Scores from a standardized test like the Test of English as a Foreign Language will be necessary to demonstrate proficiency. Students who need some help bringing their English up to par, but otherwise meet admission requirements, can enroll in UALR’s Intensive English Language Program. International students must show proof of financial support as well as the appropriate student visa.

Senior Students

Arkansas residents over the age of 60 are eligible to have tuition and general fees waived. Admissions are determined based on the availability of space within the programs. Senior applicants must register on the last regular registration day or during late registration.

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Financial Aid

All students have a variety of options for meeting their financial obligations to the university. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid will determine a student’s eligibility for certain forms of assistance. Federal and state grants are typically awarded based on student financial need. Some scholarships follow a similar formula, while others base awards upon academic excellence. Loans, either federally-funded or private, can cover a gap when other sources of funding are exhausted. Unlike other forms of aid, loans and any accrued interest must be repaid.

Student Financial Aid Details

Ranks 3557th for the average student loan amount.
Secrets to getting the best scholarships and financial aid in Arkansas.

Students

A majority of University of Arkansas at Little Rock undergraduates are women, and nearly half attend class only part-time. Fully one-third earn the title of “non-traditional,” being 25 years of age or older. Another third hail from under-represented groups such as Hispanics and African-Americans.

Campus housing and dining services are available to most students. Seven fraternities and six sororities maintain housing near the campus. Dozens of student organizations offer camaraderie to both traditional and non-traditional students.

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock makes every effort to guarantee a safe and welcoming campus experience for all students. Public safety officers patrol the campus 24 hours a day and are trained to deal with almost any emergency.

Student Enrollment Demographics

Student Graduation Demographics

Athletics

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock fields team and individual sports in the Sun Belt Conference at the NCAA Division I level. The school mascot is the Trojan. Silver, maroon and black are the official team colors. Men’s and women’s basketball teams compete in the 5,600 seat Jack Stephens Center, a $25,000,000 gymnasium which opened during the 2005-06 season. In 2011, the men’s basketball team won the Sun Belt Conferences tournament, earning a bid to the NCAA Tournament.

As of summer 2011, a new recreation and sports complex is under construction that will be home to both track and field and soccer teams. The grandstands will seat approximately 300 spectators.

Local Community

Little Rock is both the capital and largest city in Arkansas. The University of Arkansas at Little Rock benefits enormously from strong relationships with both the business community and leaders in local and state government. Opportunities abound for students to build professional networks, intern for corporations or government agencies, or simply experience everything that Little Rock has to offer.

For those who need to a relaxing time-out from the pressures of university life, Little Rock offers dozens of parks and nature areas. Outdoor activities like hiking, cycling and boating are all accessible from the main campus. To the west of the city, the Ouchita and Ozark Mountains provide a taste of wilderness.

Bibliography

Petersons Four-Year Colleges 2011. New Jersey: Peterson, 2010. Print.
University of Arkansas at Little Rock. University of Arkansas at Little Rock. 2011. Web. 14 July 2011.
University of Arkansas—Little Rock. US News and World Report, 2011. Web 14 July 2011.

University of Arkansas at Little Rock