Fulbright College to Launch Its First Two Online Degree Programs in Fall

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FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — This fall the J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Arkansas will offer its first bachelor’s and master’s degree programs delivered completely online. The college is taking applications now.

Students can apply for admission to the Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies program or the Master of Arts in Secondary Mathematics program, which is designed for licensed secondary teachers.

The launch of these programs is the latest development in the plan to expand and enhance distance and online education from the University of Arkansas. These two programs join more than 30 others offered by the U of A completely or primarily online. All are showcased on the University of Arkansas ONLINE website.

“Giving students the opportunity to learn from anywhere in the world is a natural extension of Senator Fulbright’s vision,” said Todd Shields, dean of Fulbright College. “These degrees support the Fulbright legacy of peace through education by offering a broad undergraduate education or tools to improve teaching skills.”

To earn a bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies, a student must complete a minimum of 120 credit hours, including the university’s core course requirements and courses required for the interdisciplinary studies major. Transfer students or those with prior college credit may be eligible to complete this degree online.

Interdisciplinary studies majors have the option of following one of two tracks. The first allows a student to select three thematically linked minors, and the second allows a student to work with an adviser to select courses from different programs. The online minors include:

• African and African American Studies
• Child Advocacy Studies Training
• Communication
• Criminal Justice
• Journalism
• Social Work
• Spanish

The master’s degree in secondary mathematics is designed for secondary teachers with a teaching license who want to develop a deeper knowledge of mathematics and earn a master’s degree. To earn this degree, a student must complete 30 credit hours of select graduate courses.

“Never before has the Fayetteville campus offered such a variety of online degree programs that can help people advance in their careers or start new ones,” said Javier A. Reyes, vice provost for distance education. “By expanding our online offerings in different fields of study, our university is making education more accessible to a wider audience and helping more people earn their degrees, even if they cannot come to the Fayetteville campus every day.”

The U of A offers degree, certificate and/or licensure programs completely and primarily online in the arts, agriculture, business, education, engineering, humanities, law, natural science, nursing and social science. Those seeking additional teaching licensure from the state can follow U of A licensure plans offered online.

In addition to its two new programs, Fulbright College also offers online a certificate of proficiency in geospatial technologies, a graduate certificate in technical writing and public rhetorics, and many core and departmental courses.

Academic units across the Fayetteville campus develop online programs and ensure the quality of courses. The U of A is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools and is recognized nationally as a top public research institution.

About the J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences: The J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences is the largest and most academically diverse unit on campus with 19 departments and 43 academic programs and research centers. The college provides the core curriculum for all University of Arkansas students and is named for J. William Fulbright, former university president and longtime U.S. senator.

About the Global Campus: The Global Campus supports U of A colleges and schools in the development and delivery of online programs and courses. It provides instructional design services, technology services and assistance with marketing, recruiting and strategic academic development.

About the University of Arkansas: The University of Arkansas provides an internationally competitive education for undergraduate and graduate students in more than 200 academic programs. The university contributes new knowledge, economic development, basic and applied research, and creative activity while also providing service to academic and professional disciplines. The Carnegie Foundation classifies the University of Arkansas among only 2 percent of universities in America that have the highest level of research activity. U.S. News & World Report ranks the University of Arkansas among its top American public research universities. Founded in 1871, the University of Arkansas comprises 10 colleges and schools and maintains a low student-to-faculty ratio that promotes personal attention and close mentoring.