Studying Communications at UALR
The University of Arkansas at Little Rock appears in our ranking of the Top 20 Best Online Communications Degree Programs.
Founded in 2014, the College of Social Sciences & Communication confers the B.A. in Mass Communication for University of Arkansas at Little Rock undergrads to study human expression across diverse channels. Directed by Dr. Tim Edwards in Stabler Hall, the 120-credit bachelor’s splits into five emphases: Journalism, Mass Media, Media Production and Design, Motion Pictures, or Strategic Communications. On Blackboard, accelerated eight-week courses are available for the similar, 120-credit B.A. in Applied Communication Online. Expect active discussion on topics like Public Affairs Reporting, Non-Linear Video Editing, and Magazine Writing with a 14:1 student-professor ratio. Majors might publish The Angle, broadcast on KUAR 89.1FM, join Kappa Tau Alpha, benefit from the Alumni Mentoring Program, intern at Lercher Media, study in Prague, and become Donaghey Scholars.
Affiliated with the SREB, The University of Arkansas at Little Rock also awards the M.A. in Mass Communication to deepen graduates’ critical thinking about journalistic content. The 33-credit degree chaired by Dr. Kwasi Boateng meets on weeknights for three hours weekly or online to bolster reporting methods. Students select from three specializations: Media Research, Professional Mass Media, or Strategic Communication/Public Relations. Engaging courses like New Media Publishing, Quantitative Analysis, and Journalism History culminate in the master’s thesis or capstone project. Other opportunities include practicing at the Communication Skills Center, investigating in the John Gray Lab, interning at CNN, and joining the NABJ Chapter, attending the PRSSA Meeting. There’s an Online M.A. in Professional and Technical Writing too.
About The University of Arkansas at Little Rock
The University of Arkansas at Little Rock was founded in 1927 by John A. Larson as Little Rock Junior College with eight instructors and 100 students paying just $5. Nicknamed “Jaycee,” it shifted to a four-year liberal arts model and moved to the Raymond Rebsamen’s donated estate during the 1950s. Welcomed into the UA System in 1969, Little Rock is now a public, space-grant Sun Belt member. Budgeting $168 million yearly, UALR has Carnegie’s Community Engagement classification to train 11,848 Trojans, including Communications majors. Near KARK-TV station, Little Rock holds 2.9 million square feet with LEED certifications in Arkansas’ capital. Linked to 33,473 LinkedIn alumni, UALR has trained Julie Adams, Derek Fisher, Karilyn Brown, James Richard Cheek, and more.
The U.S. News & World Report ranked UALR in the top 300 national universities with the 92nd best speech-language pathology department and 27th best online IT degrees. On Niche, Little Rock has America’s 289th best professors, 361st most campus diversity, and 406th best food. Forbes placed the University of Arkansas 86th among public institutions with the 161st best value. College Factual noticed UALR for the nation’s 112th most popular journalism major and 429th best communications program. WalletHub positioned The University of Arkansas at Little Rock 307th overall with the 309th best career outcomes. In Washington Monthly, UALR boasts the 163rd most service participation and 217th highest research expenditures. Little Rock also landed 13th for adult education on Great Value Colleges.
The University of Arkansas at Little Rock Accreditation Details
In March 2016, The University of Arkansas at Little Rock underwent monitoring from the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (HLC-NCA) to continue its Level VI accreditation through 2020 under president Dr. Donald Bobbitt. This regional agency based in Chicago is authorized to assure quality for UALR’s 10 associate, 67 baccalaureate, 49 master’s, 49 certificate, and 11 doctoral programs, including online. Only the University of Arkansas’ Fayetteville campus holds Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications (ACEJMC) approval though.
The University of Arkansas at Little Rock Application Requirements
Classified as “minimally difficult” on Peterson’s, The University of Arkansas at Little Rock had a Fall 2016 acceptance rate of 77 percent. First-year Trojans pursuing the B.A. in Mass Communication must finish a high school curriculum with four units of English. Homeschool and GED students are admitted unconditionally with a minimum 19 ACT score. Skipping probation requires at least a 2.5 GPA, 990 SAT score, or comparable Accuplacer mark. Transfers should hold 12+ non-remedial college credits with a 2.0 GPA or better. The Master of Arts is reserved for UALR bachelor’s holders with “B” averages or higher in the last 60 units. Good communication skills with at least a 90 TOEFL iBT score or equivalent is mandated.
The University of Arkansas at Little Rock enforces a domestic deadline of August 13th and an international deadline of July 15th for undergrads. Prospective M.A. in Mass Communication students have until July 15th for Fall, April 15th for summer or December 10th for Spring starts. Hit “Apply Now” buttons to create an online account for submitting the entire application. If needed, some materials might be mailed to 2801 South University Avenue in Little Rock, AR 72204 or admissions@ualr.edu. Communications majors should convey their talents with the following:
- Official high school or bachelor’s transcript
- Standardized testing report (SAT/ACT/GRE)
- Two letters of faculty recommendation
- Professional purpose essay of 250-500 words
- Résumé of academic/work experiences
- Verification of English language fluency
- $40 admission fee (or waiver request)
Tuition and Financial Aid
Arkansas residents pay $4,715 per semester or $9,430 annually full-time for UALR’s Mass Communication B.A. Non-residents are billed $10,715 each term or $21,430 yearly. Online courses cost $280 credit with a military discount to $216 per credit. Living at the Little Rock campus’ dorms like West Hall adds $6,660 per year. Annual cost of bachelor’s attendance is $17,890 in-state or $29,890 out-of-state. The Graduate School bills Arkansans $320 and non-residents $725 per credit for the MA in Mass Communication on-site. Blackboard master’s courses cost $383 per hour regardless of residence.
According to the NCES College Navigator, 54 percent of full-time UALR Trojans share $36.16 million for financial aid offers that average $6,935. Institutional funds include the Jerol Garrison Scholarship, Roy Mitchell Scholarship, Robert Hamilton Memorial Scholarship, Jason Irby Scholarship, Steven Stephens Golden Mike Award, Television Broadcasters of Arkansas Scholarship, and Edith Wood Sweezy Scholarship. The MA in Mass Communication appoints some graduate assistantships with stipends of $3,000 to $6,000. Federal Work-Study jobs are offered in the Communications & Marketing Department. Filing the FAFSA form with code 001101 opens Pell Grant, FSEOG Grant, or Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant money. Natural State natives earn Arkansas Go! Grants and Academic Challenge Scholarships. CNBC shows Arkansas with the 13th lowest average debt at $26,082 from Direct and Plus loans too.
Learn more about The University of Arkansas at Little Rock at the School of Mass Communication website.