Walton College, UA Morrilton Create Business Administration Transfer Program

Photo by UA Morrilton

Announcing the agreement between the U of A and UACCM were (L-R) Karen Boston, Gary Peters, Brent Williams, Charles Robinson, Lisa Willenberg, Richard Counts and Robert Keeton.

The Sam M. Walton College of Business and the University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton announced a formal articulation agreement to assist students transitioning from a two-year associate’s degree to a four-year bachelor’s degree through the Turn 2 Into 4 initiative.

Starting in spring 2024, students pursuing an Associate of Science in Business at UACCM may transfer their class credits to the Walton College to complete a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. Details of the agreement were announced Monday, Sept. 18, at the Morrilton campus.

The Turn 2 Into 4 program encourages students at the community college level to complete their degree while keeping costs at a minimum. It gives assurances that Walton College will accept specific college courses, allowing students to graduate on time. 

A complementary initiative, the Arkansas Transfer Achievement Scholarship Program, allows qualifying U of A System community college graduates in all academic disciplines to attend the U of A in Fayetteville in person for the same base tuition rate as the two-year institution. 

“As a land-grant institution, we want to assure access to a University of Arkansas education,” said U of A Chancellor Charles Robinson. “Affordability is a key part of that equation, so initiatives such as Turn 2 Into 4 and the Arkansas Transfer Achievement Scholarship are crucial to fulfilling our land-grant mission. Since 2019, UACCM graduates who transferred to the U of A have saved thousands of dollars in tuition thanks to the Arkansas Transfer Achievement Scholarship. Today's agreement will create even greater access and affordability for UACCM graduates who choose to attend Walton College, one of the nation’s top business schools.”

Along with Robinson, Walton College’s Brent Williams, interim dean; Gary Peters, senior associate dean; and Karen Boston, senior assistant dean for student success and chief student officer, were on hand for the formal announcement of the partnership on behalf of the U of A.

“This memorandum of understanding between UA Morrilton and U of A Fayetteville is especially meaningful,” said UACCM Chancellor Lisa Willenberg. “First, it’s meaningful because our students who currently receive the already high-quality business training at UACCM will also now be afforded the seamless opportunity for and benefits of a world-class Walton College of Business bachelor's degree through the state’s flagship university. 

“Next, I deem this partnership and many more being discussed extra special to the entire UA System with multiple individuals to thank. Though none more so than Dr. Charles Robinson, U of A Fayetteville chancellor, for his unified vision and warm desire for genuine collaboration in advancing workforce and educational opportunities for all students of the UA System and the entire state of Arkansas. As we like to say at UA Morrilton, we are better together.”

Representing University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton along with Willenberg were Richard Counts, vice chancellor for academics; Robert Keeton, dean of science, technology and mathematics; members of the UACCM Chancellor’s Executive Council, as well as admissions and advising staff members. 

Walton College comprises eight academic departments with bachelor’s and graduate degrees in accounting, economics, finance, human resources management, information systems, marketing, organizational management and leadership, innovation and entrepreneurship, and supply chain management, along with those with an international business focus. The college also offers online bachelor’s degrees in accounting, general business, human resources management, marketing and supply chain management. 

From its inception, the University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton has served west central Arkansas by providing quality educational programs at an affordable cost. UACCM’s academic programs make it possible for students to complete an Associate of Arts or Associate of Science degree while meeting the general education requirements for transfer into a baccalaureate program at state universities. UACCM also offers technical and occupational programs which allow students to prepare for direct entry into the job market after graduation. This diverse curriculum makes the University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton a truly comprehensive two-year college offering vital educational opportunities to the people of central Arkansas.

For more information about the Turn 2 Into 4 program, visit Walton College’s website or email transfer@walton.uark.edu.  

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.