FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Two departments in the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences at the University of Arkansas have signed memorandums of understanding with the University of Arkansas-Cossatot Community College, providing more opportunities for students pursuing careers in agriculture.

The Department of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness, and the Department of Agricultural Education, Communications and Technology at the U of A have created 2-plus-2 transfer degree programs.

These programs will allow UA-Cossatot students who earn an associate of science degree in agricultural business to complete their junior and senior years in Fayetteville while working toward a bachelor’s degree in agricultural business or agricultural education, communication, and technology with concentrations in agricultural business management and marketing or agricultural education.

The purpose is to provide opportunities for students using the Arkansas Transfer Achievement Scholarship to have greater access and be prepared for careers in agricultural business or agricultural education in Arkansas, the region and across the nation.

“One of our roles and goals is to do what we can to make it as easy and welcoming for students from all areas of the state to transition to the U of A and find their passion in one of our majors,” said Bumpers College Dean Deacue Fields. “These agreements with UA-Cossatot are hopefully an indication to Southwest Arkansas, and the entire state, that we are committed to partnering with you and helping students find their career path and passion with us. We’re very pleased that two of our departments have been able to partner with the faculty and administration at UA-Cossatot to create these opportunities. These are both Bumpers College degrees and agriculturally based, but in two very different areas that hopefully appeal to a wide range of students.”

The memorandums of understanding call for students to complete their first two years at UA-Cossatot, to follow the course curriculum, have a minimum grade point average of 2.0, and earn an associate of science degree.

“We are excited to have a 2-plus-2 agreement in place with UA-Cossatot,” said John Anderson, professor and head of the U of A’s Department of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness. “This program will make a U of A bachelor’s degree more accessible than ever for our students from Southwest Arkansas. That is a great opportunity for those students, but also for our department. We are here to serve the entire state. The more we can do to make our programs available to a diverse set of students from every region of the state, the better it is for all of us.”

“We are extremely fortunate to have such excellent partners in UA-Cossatot to help bring these two bachelor’s programs to this part of the state of Arkansas,” said George Wardlow, professor and head of U of A’s Department of Agricultural Education, Communications and Technology. “Allowing more students access to U of A bachelor’s degrees can only continue to enhance the economic vitality and quality of life for all Arkansans.”

UA-Cossatot is responsible for the delivery of courses for the first two years, recruiting new and continuing agricultural business and agricultural education majors, and providing academic advisement and faculty mentoring. The U of A will promote the transfer degree program, manage participating students, provide scholarship opportunities and faculty mentoring, advise students eligible for the Arkansas Transfer Achievement Scholarship, assist students with internship placement, provide tours of campus and facilities, and participate in recruiting activities at UA-Cossatot.

The Arkansas Transfer Achievement Scholarship provides discounted tuition to students who earn an associate of arts, associate of science or associate of arts in teaching degree at a UA-System institution and wish to transfer to the U of A in Fayetteville.

About the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences: Bumpers College provides life-changing opportunities to position and prepares graduates who will be leaders in the businesses associated with foods, family, the environment, agriculture, sustainability, and human quality of life; and who will be first-choice candidates of employers looking for leaders, innovators, policymakers, and entrepreneurs. The college is named for Dale Bumpers, former Arkansas governor and longtime U.S. senator who made the state prominent in national and international agriculture. For more information about Bumpers College, visit our website, and follow us on Twitter at @BumpersCollege and Instagram at BumpersCollege.

About the University of Arkansas: As Arkansas' flagship institution, the U of A provides an internationally competitive education in more than 200 academic programs. Founded in 1871, the U of A contributes more than $2.2 billion to Arkansas’ economy through the teaching of new knowledge and skills, entrepreneurship and job development, discovery through research and creative activity while also providing training for professional disciplines. The Carnegie Foundation classifies the U of A among the top 3% of U.S. colleges and universities with the highest level of research activity. U.S. News & World Report ranks the U of A among the top public universities in the nation. See how the U of A works to build a better world at Arkansas Research News.