U of A Now More Accessible Option for Walmart and Sam's Club Associates

Thousands of Walmart and Sam’s Club associates in Arkansas and beyond will soon have additional pathways to learn, including access to specific online degree programs and workforce training from the U of A, thanks to a new partnership with Guild, a public benefit corporation designed to help companies provide educational and career opportunities for employees. 

Walmart’s education program “Live Better U,” provided in partnership with Guild and launched five years ago, reflects the company’s commitment to create a path for its employees to learn and grow. Through the program, Walmart covers 100% of the tuition and books for part-time and full-time Walmart and Sam’s Club associates across the U.S., starting on their first day of employment. Through the U of A’s new partnership with Guild and Walmart, specific U of A online degree programs and training courses will be available to associates through Live Better U.

“The University of Arkansas is thrilled to partner with Walmart and Guild to provide associates in our home state and across the country access to transformational learning programs to help advance their careers," said Chancellor Charles Robinson. 

The U of A anticipates that Walmart and Sam’s Club associates will gain access in late June to U of A training programs and three bachelor’s degree programs from the Sam M. Walton College of Business in supply chain management, marketing and general business. The college is named after Sam Walton, the founder of Walmart. 

The Walton College undergraduate supply chain management program was ranked No. 1 in North America in June 2022 by Gartner, a global company offering supply chain guidance and tools. The college is also accredited by AACSB, a global business education organization.

“This partnership with Guild will help the U of A to serve more Arkansans by making it possible for Walmart associates in Arkansas to use their company benefits toward earning a degree or getting training from the U of A,” said Cheryl Murphy, vice provost for distance education. “Education transforms lives and helps fuel economic growth in Arkansas. The U of A’s ability to serve associates outside the state is a bonus.”

Walmart Inc., headquartered in Northwest Arkansas, announced the partnership on May 25, days ahead of the May 31 annual shareholders’ meeting and related events that celebrate associates. 

Associates who want to enroll in U of A degree programs will follow the same application process to qualify for acceptance into those programs as do any other U of A student, Murphy said. 

“There are no special cohorts or rules for these potential students,” Murphy said. “They must meet the U of A application criteria. They will take the same courses, have the same instructors and obtain the same diplomas as any other students within those programs.”

A full list of online programs offered by the U of A are showcased on the University of Arkansas ONLINE website.

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 few 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.