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Students in Arkansas have a lot of options when it comes to higher education. There are two major university systems, Arkansas State University and the University of Arkansas, which are comprised of multiple campuses throughout the state, offering access to everything from law degrees to community college opportunities.

There are other public colleges in the state, Arkansas Tech and Henderson State University among them, as well as 11 private colleges and universities, a number of which are highly regarded both in the region and nationwide. Regardless of the type of institution, the future of higher education in Arkansas will be shaped by programs and initiatives like these, which aim to improve the quality and variety of the state’s educational systems:

• Global Campus. The University of Arkansas’ Global Campus is the portal through which students can access online coursework, independent study, professional development, and other resources. The site is designed to make university resources more accessible to students and to better cater to the needs of a diverse group of students.
• Sustainable Communities. Launched in 2010, the Sustainable Communities program unites local communities and their community colleges to help improve access to the schools, reduce poverty, and transform local communities into more stable, thriving enclaves within the state.
• Career Pathways Initiative. This program offered through the Center for Post-secondary and Academic Success, offers students access to a set of academic and support services designed to enable low-income individuals to acquire the degrees they need to work in high-demand, high-pay industries.

While brick and mortar schools in Arkansas offer a wealth of educational opportunities for students, there are also a number of options available to those looking to pursue online coursework. The University of Arkansas offers both undergraduate and graduate degree programs online. There are also online programs at some of the state’s other big schools, including Arkansas Tech, Arkansas State, and John Brown University, ranging from associate’s to master’s level study. Students can also learn more about ITT Technical Institute and the University of Phoenix, both of which have local campuses and offer online degrees.

Getting a Career in Arkansas With Your Degree

The economy of Arkansas relies heavily on several major employers, including the state and federal government, health care facilities, and major corporations with headquarters in the state like Wal-Mart and Tyson Foods. Within these industries, the job market looks good in Arkansas for the foreseeable future, with strong growth in hiring expected in a wide range of fields. This is great news for students who are entering a degree program with the goal of finding a job within the state of Arkansas.

To prepare to work in one of Arkansas’ major industries, students have a wide range of options that may suit their needs. Online degrees in fields like business administration, accounting, finance, and management can be great preparation for working in private businesses and corporations, and those who want to rise to the upper echelons of these industries may even want to pursue an online MBA. Other great choices for Arkansas residents include social work, public administration, and political science, which can be good training for government jobs, or nursing and health care administration, which are required for many jobs within the health care industry.

Whether students are looking to earn a master’s degree or pick up some additional certifications, there are plenty of opportunities to find online educational programs in Arkansas. The following directory highlights the colleges offering access to online and blended educational programs: