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Professional Studies

Professional Studies programs at the University of Arkansas Cossatot provide students with the broad educational background required for positions in agriculture, business, communications, and criminal justice professions. Some programs provide specialized training needed to meet entry-level requirements of business and industry and other programs prepare students for transfer.

Professional Studies Faculty and Staff

Barbara Lacefield, Chair

Ashley Dougherty

Carolyn Armstrong

Kelli Harris

Criminal Justice Programs

Technical Certificate: Criminal Justice

Degree: Technical Certificate - Criminal Justice
Degree Plan

CAREER OPTIONS: Students have the opportunity to earn their certification as a dispatcher/jail and will be prepared for immediate employment in these fields upon successful completion of the program.

PROGRAM INFORMATION: The Criminal Justice Technical Certificate program prepares students for entry-level positions in the field of Criminal Justice as a Dispatcher or Jailer.

TRANSFER OPTIONS:

If planning to transfer to an institution other than the ones listed above, students may visit A CTS-Transfer Student to inquire about transferability to any Arkansas college or university.

Associate of Science: Criminal Justice

Degree: Associate of Science- Criminal Justice
Degree Plan

CAREER INFORMATION: The Associate of Science in Criminal Justice degree is designed to transfer and therefore completion of the degree alone does not qualify students for any specific career; however, completion of an associate degree will improve overall employability and will make students eligible for employment opportunities that require an associate-level degree. After earning a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice students are prepared for entry-level positions in a variety of careers within the Criminal Justice field.

PROGRAM INFORMATION: This program offers the first two years of general education and criminal justice coursework for a degree in Criminal Justice.

TRANSFER OPTIONS:

Southern Arkansas University (SAU) to complete a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice
Arkansas State University (ASU) to complete Bachelor of Arts in Sociology (ASU courses fully online)
Arkansas State University (ASU) to complete Bachelor of Arts in Criminology (ASU courses fully online)
Arkansas Tech University (ATU) to complete a Bachelor of Professional Studies.
If planning to transfer to an institution other than the ones listed above, students may visit A CTS-Transfer Student to inquire about transferability to any Arkansas college or university.

Criminal Justice Institute Programs

These programs are a University of Arkansas System Criminal Justice Institute Partnership Programs.

Criminal Justice Institute Crime Science Investigation
Criminal Justice Institute Law Enforcement Administration

More information can be found at: https://www.cji.edu/cji-programs/higher-education-degree-program/

Business Programs

Associate of Applied Science: General Business

Degree Plan

PROGRAM INFORMATION: This program is designed for students to earn the Certificate of Proficiency in Accounting after semester one, the Certificate of Proficiency and Technical Certificate in Business Management after semester two, the Technical Certificates in Accounting after semester three and the Associate of Applied Science in General Business after semester four. Some courses have minimum scores and/or prerequisite requirements prior to enrollment.

CAREER OPTIONS: The Certificate of Proficiency and the Technical Certificate in Accounting are embedded into the Associate of Applied Science in General Business. The Certificate of Proficiency provides students with a basic knowledge of Accounting. The Technical Certificate in Accounting provides students with entry-level bookkeeping skills. Students completing the certificate will have a working knowledge of the elementary accounting cycle and how to keep a set of books using a computer. The Certificate of Proficiency and Technical Certificate in Management, which is also embedded into the Associate of Applied Science in General Business, provides students with entry-level management skills. Students completing the Certificate of Proficiency will have a basic knowledge of general management. Students completing the Technical Certificate will have a working knowledge of management concepts and practices and graduates will be ready for immediate employment. The Associate of Applied Science in General Business is designed for students who seek occupational, technical, and vocational skills primarily for employment or advancement.

TRANSFER OPTIONS:

Franklin University to complete a Bachelor of Science.
Arkansas Tech University (ATU) to complete a Bachelor of Professional Studies.
UA Fort Smith to complete Bachelor of Applied Science
ASU Jonesboro to complete Bachelor of Applied Science in Organizational Supervision
If planning to transfer to an institution other than the ones listed above, students may visit A CTS-Transfer Student to inquire about transferability to any Arkansas college or university.

Associate of Applied Science: Digital Media & Marketing

Degree Plan

CAREER OPTIONS: The Certificate of Proficiency and the Technical Certificate in Digital Media and Marketing are embedded into the Associate of Applied Science in the Digital Media and Marketing Degree. The Certificate of Proficiency provides graduates with a basic knowledge of general skills appropriate for the workplace. The Technical Certificate program prepares students for the workplace with skills in general business and more in-depth Social Media and Advertising skills. The Associate of Applied Science in Digital Media and Marketing is designed for students who seek occupational, technical, and vocational skills primarily for employment or advancement.

PROGRAM INFORMATION: This program is designed for students to earn the Certificate of Proficiency after semester one, the Technical Certificate after semester two and the Associate of Applied Science after semester four. Some courses have minimum score and/or prerequisite requirements prior to enrollment.

Arkansas Tech University (ATU) to complete a Bachelor of Professional Studies.
ASU Jonesboro to complete Bachelor of Applied Science in Organizational Supervision
UA Fort Smith to complete Bachelor of Applied Science
If planning to transfer to an institution other than the ones listed above, students may visit A CTS-Transfer Student to inquire about transferability to any Arkansas college or university.

Associate of Science: Business

Degree Plan

CAREER OPTIONS: The Associate of Science in Business Degree is designed to transfer and therefore completion of the degree alone does not qualify students for any specific career; however, completion of an associate degree will improve overall employability and will make students eligible for employment opportunities that require an associate-level degree. This degree is suited for students who plan to pursue careers in Business related fields such as Accounting, Business Administration, Management, and Marketing.

PROGRAM INFORMATION: This degree is designed for students preparing to transfer to a four-year institution to obtain a baccalaureate degree in a business field identified by Arkansas' four-year institutions participating in the transfer agreement.

TRANSFER OPTIONS:

Arkansas State University at Jonesboro to complete Bachelor of Science in Accounting, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Bachelor of Science in Computer and Information Technology, Bachelor of Science in Business Economics, Bachelor of Science in International Business, Bachelor of Science in Finance, Bachelor of Science in Management, or Bachelor of Science in Marketing.
Arkansas Tech University to complete Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BUS1313 Directed Elective) or Bachelor of Professional Studies.
Henderson State University to complete Bachelor of Business Administration (BUS2023 Directed Elective)
Southern Arkansas University at Magnolia to complete Bachelor of Business Administration in Advertising and Public Relations, Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance, Bachelor of Business Administration in International Business, Bachelor of Business Administration in Management Information Systems, Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing, or Bachelor of Science in Accounting
Texas A&M University - Texarkana to complete Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.
University of Arkansas Little Rock to complete Bachelor of Science in Accounting, Business Information Systems, Human Resources Management or Management. All can be completed online.
University of Arkansas at Monticello to complete Bachelor of Business Administration (BUS1313 Directed Elective)
University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff to complete Bachelor of Business Administration
University of Central Arkansas to complete a Bachelor of Accounting, Business Administration, Economics - International Trade, Finance, Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Insurance and Risk Management, Logistics and Supply Chain Managment, Management, Management Information Systems, or Marketing.
Franklin University to complete a Bachelor of Science. Can be completed online.
If planning to transfer to an institution other than the ones listed above, students may visit A CTS-Transfer Student to inquire about transferability to any Arkansas college or university.

Associate of Science: Business--UA Fayetteville

Degree Plan

PROGRAM INFORMATION: This degree track is designed for students preparing to transfer to the Sam M. Walton College of Business at the University of Arkansas Fayetteville to obtain a baccalaureate degree in a business field.

Visit the University of Arkansas Sam W. Walton College of Business here.

Click here to review transfer information regarding this program.

Agriculture Programs

Technical Certificate: Agriculture

Degree: Technical Certificate - Agriculture
Degree Plan

CAREER OPTIONS: The Technical Certificate in Agriculture prepares students for entry-level work in the field of agriculture with emphasis placed on owning and operating your own farm/ranch operation.

PROGRAM INFORMATION: This program is designed for students to earn the Technical Certificate after two semesters of study.

TRANSFER OPTIONS:

If planning to transfer to an institution other than the ones listed above, students may visit A CTS-Transfer Student to inquire about transferability to any Arkansas college or university.

Agriculture Business

Degree: Associate of Science- Agriculture Business
Degree Plan

CAREER OPTIONS: The Technical Certificate in Agriculture, which is embedded into the Associate of Science in Agriculture Business or the Associate of General Studies degree, prepares students for entry-level work in the field of agriculture with emphasis placed on owning and operating your own farm/ranch operation. The Associate of Science degree prepares students to transfer to a four-year university to complete a baccalaureate degree.

PROGRAM INFORMATION: This program is designed for students to earn the Technical Certificate after semester two and the Associate of Science after semester four. Some courses have a minimum score and/or prerequisite requirements prior to enrollment.

TRANSFER OPTIONS:

The University of Arkansas Fayetteville to complete Bachelor of Science in Agricultural, Food, and Life Sciences with major in Agriculture Business, concentration in Agriculture Business Management and Marketing
Southern Arkansas University (SAU) to complete a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture with an Ag-Business major.
Arkansas Tech University (ATU) to complete a Bachelor of Professional Studies.

Agriculture Education

Degree: Associate of Science- Agriculture Education
Degree Plan

CAREER OPTIONS: The Technical Certificate in Agriculture, which is embedded into the Associate of Science in Agriculture Education or the Associate of General Studies degree, prepares students for entry-level work in the field of agriculture with emphasis placed on owning and operating your own farm/ranch operation. The Associate of Science degree prepares students to transfer to a four-year university to complete a baccalaureate degree.

PROGRAM INFORMATION: This program is designed for students to earn the Technical Certificate after semester two and the Associate of Science after semester four. Some courses have minimum scores and/or prerequisite requirements prior to enrollment.

TRANSFER OPTIONS:

The University of Arkansas Fayetteville to complete Bachelor of Science Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences with major in Agricultural Education, Communication, and Technology with a concentration in Agricultural Education
Southern Arkansas University (SAU) to complete a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture with an Ag-Education major.
Arkansas State University-Jonesboror to complete Bachelor of Science in Agriculture in Agricultural Business
Arkansas Tech University (ATU) to complete a Bachelor of Professional Studies.

Agriculture Science

Degree: Associate of Science - Agriculture Science
Degree Plan

CAREER OPTIONS: The Technical Certificate in Agriculture, which is embedded into the Associate of Science in Agriculture Science or Associate of General Studies degree, prepares students for entry-level work in the field of agriculture with emphasis placed on owning and operating your own farm/ ranch operation. The Associate of Science degree prepares to transfer to a four-year university to complete a baccalaureate degree.

PROGRAM INFORMATION: This program is designed for students to earn the Technical Certificate after semester two and the Associate of Science after semester four. Some courses have minimum scores and/or prerequisite requirements prior to enrollment.

TRANSFER OPTIONS:

Southern Arkansas University (SAU) to complete a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture with an Ag-Education major.
Arkansas State University-Jonesboror to complete Bachelor of Science in Agriculture in Agricultural Studies, Animal Science, Agricultural Business, or Plant & Soil Science
Arkansas Tech University (ATU) to complete a Bachelor of Professional Studies.
If planning to transfer to an institution other than the ones listed above, students may visit A CTS-Transfer Student to inquire about transferability to any Arkansas college or university.

Other Programs

Associate of Science: Natural Resources

Degree: Associate of Science - Natural Resources
Degree Plan

CAREER OPTIONS: The Associate of Science in Natural Resources degree is designed to transfer and therefore completion of the degree alone does not qualify students for any specific career; however, completion of an associate degree will improve overall employability and will make students eligible for employment opportunities that require an associate-level degree. This degree is suited for students who plan to pursue careers in Forestry or Wildlife Management.

PROGRAM INFORMATION: This program offers the first two years of general and content-specific courses to transfer to a four-year institution for degree completion.

TRANSFER OPTION:

University of Arkansas at Monticello (UAM) to complete a Bachelor of Science in Natural Resources.
Arkansas Tech University (ATU) to complete a Bachelor of Professional Studies.
UA Fort Smith to complete Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership
If planning to transfer to an institution other than the ones listed above, students may visit Gainful Employment Information to inquire about the transferability of courses to any Arkansas college or University.

Accreditation

The following business degrees are accredited by The Accreditation Council for Business Schools & Programs:
AAS General Business
AAS Digital Media & Marketing
AS Business
AS Agriculture Business

View results for student learning and business unit performance for select business programs. View retention and graduation data for business programs.