Cossatot Community College of the University of Arkansas and the University of Arkansas at Monticello have launched an initiative designed to expand affordable higher education opportunities in Arkansas.
UA Cossatot students will be able to earn bachelor’s degrees from UAM while remaining in southwest Arkansas and benefiting from some of the state’s lowest tuition rates, according to a press release.
The agreement will enable UA Cossatot students to pursue a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from UAM through coursework offered on UA Cossatot’s campuses. The degree offering is pending approval from the Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board and the Higher Learning Commission. Employing a campus-within-a-campus model, the partnership offers students the opportunity to complete all four years of their degree on UA Cossatot’s campuses, starting as UA Cossatot students for the first two years before enrolling as UAM students for their junior and senior years.
“Partnering with UAM is going to be a huge win for students all across southwest Arkansas,” said Dr. Steve Cole, chancellor of UA Cossatot. “Just think — our students can start with us and finish with a top-flight university like UAM, never travel too far from home and family, and with a Colt Transfer Scholarship from UAM, essentially pay our tuition rate throughout the entire process. I encourage folks to watch this space carefully, as much more could be coming from this partnership.”
Tuition will be based on UA Cossatot rates for the initial two years and UAM rates for the junior and senior years of coursework. Throughout their studies, students will have access to services and resources from both institutions and will earn an associate degree from UA Cossatot and a bachelor’s degree from UAM. The university will offer the Colt Transfer Scholarship, awarding $3,000 per semester to UA Cossatot students who complete 55 credit hours and maintain a minimum 2.5 GPA. This scholarship helps ensure these bachelor’s degrees remain among the most affordable options in Arkansas.
“We are excited to launch our innovative campus-within-a-campus model with UA Cossatot,” said Dr. Peggy Doss, chancellor of UAM. “This strategic partnership represents an effective and efficient way to address Arkansas’ workforce needs. By working with UA Cossatot, we can ensure the UAM Bachelor of Business Administration degree remains both affordable and accessible for students in southwest Arkansas. We look forward to many future collaborations between our institutions.”
The partnership was announced at UA Cossatot’s Nashville campus. UA Cossatot also has campuses in DeQueen, Ashdown and Lockesburg.
Feature image: Chancellors Steve Cole and Peggy Doss with the UA Cossatot and UAM mascots at the July 8 partnership announcement. (Photo courtesy of UAM)
READ ALSO: State Awards $12.5M in Grants to Rural Arkansas Communities
