University of Arkansas Announces New Online Transfer Planning Tool

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The University of Arkansas is working to partner with community colleges across the state and region to support students interested in moving from community college life to the four-year university experience. In this effort, transfer students from any college in the state, or across the country, will be able to use a new U of A online tool to simplify their degree planning process.

The University of Arkansas Transfer Planning Guide charts a clear academic course from a student’s first day on a community college campus to graduation with a bachelor’s degree from the U of A. Students and advisers can access the guide online.

The Transfer Planning Guide provides a searchable database of degree requirements and course equivalencies that allows students to compare courses at their transfer institution with the major they plan to pursue at the U of A.

Search results will allow students and their advisers to view U of A major requirements alongside any matching courses at their transfer institution that have been previously evaluated by the U of A. The guide will be updated automatically as changes are made in requirements for University of Arkansas degrees.

Students will also be able to see how courses they have completed elsewhere meet U of A requirements. Seeing such a comparison often helps students be better prepared to transfer.

“This is a game changer for students transferring to Arkansas,” said Suzanne McCray, vice provost for enrollment and dean of admissions. “It is cutting-edge technology that is easy to use and will allow prospective transfer students to see what their requirements are for a four-year degree at the U of A and compare these requirements to the progress they are making at their community college, and it is all available to them online. We are pleased to provide this important service to our community college partners, and we hope such connections will allow transfer students to apply, enroll, and transition easily to the University of Arkansas — and will assist in their graduating on schedule.”

The U of A Office of the Registrar collaborated with the UAConnect development team in IT Services to develop the Transfer Planning Guide. The project integrates transfer course equivalencies data with the degree audit feature in UAConnect. 

“The beauty of this transfer guide is that it automatically updates as a part of the normal maintenance of transfer course equivalencies and degree audit requirements,” said Dave Dawson, associate vice provost for enrollment services and university registrar. “This feature means our prospective transfer students and their advisors will have the most current information on equivalencies and requirements at the U of A.

The Office of the Registrar currently tracks more than 375,000 course equivalencies for courses offered at more than 3,300 institutions. The planning guide design includes search filters and collapsible categories to make it easier for users to sort through this information. The site is also mobile-friendly, giving students a clean and functional experience on any device.

“We are excited about this new tool,” said Todd Kitchen, vice president for student services at the NorthWest Arkansas Community College. “For students transferring to the University of Arkansas, this really renders paper checklists obsolete. We are excited about this advising partnership between our institutions and those across the state. I have no doubt that this will assist students in degree planning while they are on our campus and as they make the transition to a new college environment.”

“I am personally excited to use this new tool to assist students in transferring to the University of Arkansas,” said Jeff Elwood, academic coordinator at Crowder College in Neosho, Missouri. “I know from an advising stand point it will make my job so much easier.”

“I’m thrilled about this resource,” said J.R. Hinkson, associate director for undergraduate programs in Sam M. Walton College of Business. “I anticipate it becoming a critical piece of the advising process at community colleges throughout Arkansas.”

Students or advisers who would like more information about the Transfer Planning Guide should contact the Office of the Registrar at registra@uark.edu or 479-575-5451.

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.