Arkansas State University

Degrees Offered at Arkansas State University

Arkansas State University appears in our ranking of the 30 Best Online Bachelor’s in Emergency Management Degrees. Arkansas State University (A-State) is made up of eight colleges including:

• the NYIT College of Osteopathic Medicine
• the College of Education and Behavioral Science
• the College of Agriculture
• the College of Sciences and Mathematics

Many programs are offered completely online like the B.S. in Digital Innovations through the College of Liberal Arts and Communication. The College which  two concentrations:

• strategic communication
• graphic communications

The first option requires 13 core classes like:

• Social Media Measurement
• Design Technology and Literacy
• Front-End Web Development
• Multimedia Production
• Communications Law and Ethics

The graphics specialty track consists of five courses like:

• Digital Prepress Workflow
• Desktop Publishing and Publication Design

Both of these programs provide opportunities for internships. Students create a portfolio to demonstrate their skills. The College of Engineering and Computer Science features a variety of degree and certificate programs including the technical M.S. in Engineering. It also offers the Master of Engineering Management (M.E.M.) which is offered on campus and online. Both degrees require 30 credit hours consisting of 24 core classes and six electives. Engineering students must complete:

• Advanced Engineering Math
• Applied Probability and Estimation
• Engineering Research
• a thesis

For the M.E.M., the core consists of:

• Engineering Statistics
• Operations Research
• Quality Control and Improvement

There are also classes in:

• management
• accounting
• marketing

In addition, there is an elective track for students who are pursuing professional engineering licensing. From their first semester in college, all students are encouraged to get involved with research on campus or find an off-campus internship. The four departments in the Neil Griffin College of Business are:

• Accounting
• Computer and Information Technology
• Economics and Finance
• Management and Marketing

Students in all of these programs first complete the 13-course business core which includes introductory classes like:

• Business Communication
• Operations Management
• Legal Environment of Business
• Microeconomics

The B.S. in Global Supply Chain Management program is part of the Management and Marketing department. It focuses on:

• methods of optimization
• logistics
• transportation

Economics students can earn a B.S. or B.A. They can choose electives that focus on:

• international finance
• theory of the firm
• public policy and business

At the graduate level, the two available degrees are the master of accountancy and the M.B.A. The latter can be completed on campus or online. Students can choose from among six concentrations including:

• healthcare administration
• finance
• management information systems

ASU online degrees offer flexibility for working adults and can be earned in areas such as:

• general studies (A.S. and B.S.)
• Media Management (M.S.)
• Disaster Preparedness/Emergency Management (A.A.S., B.S, M.S.)
• Criminology (B.A.)
• College Student Personnel Services (M.S.), and more.

About Arkansas State University

Arkansas State University began as an agricultural school in 1909 in Jonesboro, a city in northeastern Arkansas. As it expanded, the university became known for its research facilities. It became the headquarters for the Arkansas State University System which is composed of six campuses. Today, more than 14,000 students enroll each semester in over 150 different areas of study. A-State is dedicated to building a diverse and welcoming student body. More than a quarter of all students represent an ethnic minority. According to the U.S. News and World Report, Arkansas State University is the 38th top public school in the regional universities south category. It ranks  #45  for the online MBA program. It ranks #31  for the online graduate education program for veterans.

Arkansas State University Accreditation Details

The colleges and universities in Arkansas, including A-State, fall under the purview of the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). Arkansas State University has been accredited since 1928. This organization provides routine evaluations of schools to ensure that they are continually improving and meet all designated standards. The HLC’s five categories of criteria include:

• Teaching and Learning: Evaluation and Improvement Integrity
• Resources
• Planning
• Institutional Effectiveness

Other industry-specific organizations verify the quality of specific degree programs to ensure that graduates are well prepared for their profession. The following are some of the accrediting bodies that have certified individual programs at A-State:

• Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communication
• American Chemical Society
• Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation

Arkansas State University Application Requirements

Prospective freshmen applying to Arkansas State University need to:

• fill out the online application
• submit it with the $30 fee
• provide official transcripts
• provide ACT, SAT, ASSET, or COMPASS scores

Unconditional admission is granted to students who have a high school GPA of 2.75 or higher along with a minimum ACT score of 21. This is equivalent to an SAT score of 990. Students with lower stats can still be admitted conditionally with a GPA of 2.3 and test scores of 19 or 910. At the graduate level, students need to prove completion of an undergraduate degree by submitting complete transcripts along with their application. The GPA cutoff is a 3.0 for unconditional admission and 2.75 for conditional. In addition, many specific programs have their own requirements like:

• the GMAT, GRE, or other test scores
• letters of recommendation
• a specific undergraduate major
• or professional experience

Application requirements for online students are very similar to their campus-based counterparts.

Tuition and Financial Aid

Instate undergraduate Arkansas State University students can expect to pay around $210 per credit hour with an out-of-state tuition rate of $433. This equates to about $4304 or $7649 for a 15-hour semester with mandatory fees included. Online students pay the same tuition rate with an additional $38.25 per credit hour in fees. Tuition for master’s degrees is slightly higher with credit-hour charges of $267 and $534 for Arkansas residents.It is  $534 for non-residents. Doctoral programs are $400 and $800 per credit hour. The university does offer resident tuition waivers for students from nearby counties in:

• Texas
• Tennessee
• Oklahoma
• Missouri
• Mississippi
• Louisiana

There are also various scholarships available for new and returning students. They are awarded based on:

• academic merit
• community service
• financial aid.

At the graduate level, A-State offers more than 200 assistantships on campus with roles involving:

• research
• teaching
• administration

These positions pay master’s students twice a month and offer full tuition for doctoral students. The financial aid office at Arkansas State University has more information about these programs. Faculty members advise students of their funding options and offer financial literacy training.  

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