Student Stories
Hear From Our Online Students and Graduates
I entered college understanding that higher education is not just a personal milestone for me—it is a pathway to financial stability, professional impact, and the ability to help…”
Finding that program that was so specific to my profession was perfect. It helped me be able to mentor more students and encourage students like my professors encouraged me.”
Online for some can be kind of scary, but you really get a sense of community even though it’s spread out, so 100% do it.”
Not only did I earn my degree, but I got a wealth of knowledge and professional contacts out of it as well.”
Getting this degree benefited my students because it gave me a lot more knowledge and information about the subjects I teach.”
I was very grateful to be able to get this degree online. It opens opportunities in the field I’ve chosen and adds to my professional experience.”
The professors that are teaching it are actively working in this field right now. This program would be the perfect degree program, especially for anyone interested in…”
I would definitely say with the time that's spent with the role here, it aligned most with the flexibility, not only being able to choose your focuses, but also within the…”
It has been a dream of mine to attend the U of A, and I wouldn’t have been able to do face-to-face living so far away. The rigor and the intimacy of the program really drew me in.”
[The skills taught in these courses will] give you better communication in any aspect of your life and give you better tools to understand different aspects of language.”
The university encourages all the students to engage in various extracurricular activities and volunteer work so that the whole community can be uplifted. ...”
This program offered the flexibility I was looking for. I don't have a set schedule to attend in-person classes. I can open my book or laptop whenever and wherever and go the pace…”
The faculty and mentors within my program have played a significant role in my journey, providing guidance, encouragement, and constructive feedback.”
All my professors are very caring. I can tell that they're passionate about their subjects. I have never had a single class that I regretted taking.”
The support I've received here has been invaluable. The resources offered by the university - from tutoring services to mental health support - have been essential in helping me…”
[The faculty] make me feel like I wasn't one of a million students. They take an interest. That meant everything to me because I've never had that kind of support system,…”
I was starting my life over and wanted to go back to school, go after my dream. I have wanted to be a teacher all my life. It really is a calling God puts on your heart.”
My kids are incredible. We have a lot of conversations about life and what they want to get ready for. They got to see me working hard toward something I wanted to accomplish.”
I chose communication because the communication degree is so versatile, and it really allows you to choose whatever job you want moving forward, depending on your skills and…”
I didn't know I could finish my degree completely online. I wasn't aware that that was an attainable option. But it was and I'm so happy I did find out about that because it was…”
I want to be able to show that I am a health care professional, and I'm willing to take any issues that we're having, culturally even, and just make a difference in those lives by…”
When I wanted to go back to school, I didn’t know what was available. Online was a godsend for me. I don’t think a lot of people know about online.”
I want to advocate for children maybe like my foster daughter who didn't have a family to go home to. Teenagers are my passion.”
This degree plan has been really great. I love that I can focus on what I want to learn, like financial planning. It's going to help me in my future career—and in life.”
One of the big challenges of deciding to go back to school was, how I'm going to financially afford it. I would have to say I'm humbled because I am appreciative of the…”
Life is not always easy, but the journey is worth the wait. Never allow someone to tell you that you are not worth it or will never amount to anything.”
I was a first-generation student. I had already accomplished so much by earning an associate's degree in business, but I wanted to further my education in accounting because this…”
It was always my plan, of course, to go to college, even back in Brazil. When I had the opportunity to come to United States to pursue the sport, I couldn't let that pass by.”
I am actually doing five of the online programs. I am projected to graduate in May of 2027. ... My advice is to have really good time management skills and to have good…”
Being an online student is definitely challenging, it takes a lot of discipline and motivation to stay on track without the structure of an in-person class.”
Online provides a flexibility for me to study on my own time. I can do things whenever I want and not be locked into a specific date and time for an in-person class.”
I thought this specific program sounded really interesting because they don't have that one here, and online is so much more convenient.”
That's why I applied to the University of Arkansas. If I'm going to go through this process, I am going to graduate a Razorback.”
If you are a working professional trying to do school on the side and not give up whatever work life you have right now, online schooling is very available for you, especially if…”
I chose an educational technology master's degree because, with COVID, I got thrown into teaching online classes, and I didn't have a clue what I was doing.”
The M.S.O.M. skills are ingrained into every part of it. I was looking for a master's that would lead me from the chemistry side to operational management.”
Every class involved some aspect of group work. There were people from all over Arkansas and other parts of the country. I have friends on LinkedIn I keep in touch with.”
I can be a voice for these students, helping them to achieve in the classroom. I will continue to add more hands-on experience with the students and meet their needs.”
My planner was my best friend. When starting something new, it can be hard to adapt your schedule to what you already had going, but it's very rewarding.”
I looked into several programs. U of A was the most affordable, and it looked like it would work out well. I could keep my full-time job, and it was a bonus to be a Razorback.”
By offering targeted training programs in partnership with businesses and industry, these institutions ensure a skilled workforce that meets market needs.”
I happened into social work by talking with some friends. I stayed on this path as I learned that I could make a difference for people in the classroom or school setting without…”
I love being an educator, and I did not want to stop being one, so I chose a program that fit my life. I'm very happy with my job and my geographic location, but I wanted a…”
Take your time and be sure you know that this is something you want to do. Don't go in there and think that it's going to be very easy, and you're going to breeze through it.”
I could come and go as I wanted. I put aside a certain time to do my assignments. That was convenient, especially while working. I moved back home to be around family and friends.”
We cover every aspect to manage your home, whether for individuals or families. Each county has a person to assess the needs of that community.”
It is the most desired degree in this discipline. I thought, why not become a master of one of the emerging issues in law? Who knows what I will get to do? I'm ready!”
In clinicals one day, I noticed my patient had a fever and some of the same symptoms I had learned about from school and seen in person.”
Part of what I do is programming, and the majority of my co-workers are electrical engineers. When working with electricity, I wanted a deeper understanding of what I was doing.”
What we have encountered with our students is that many fell through the cracks of school systems because they had an undiagnosed learning disability.”
It's a blend of business with engineering that addresses skills you need in management, including decision-making and risk management.”
I was first interested in the homeland security graduate certificate that took 12 hours. I thought, why not take the operations management degree for 30 hours?”
My degree is a three-part degree—sociology, rural families and communities, and history. What I've learned so far is helping me communicate with people from different backgrounds.”
The realistic part for me was that I had to keep a full-time job. It was definitely the big reason for choosing the Professional Master of Applied Business Analytics. ...”
The interdisciplinary degree allows us to look at problems from a multidisciplinary angle. Instead of just looking at problems head on, we can pull from different areas.”
I feel we’re all lifelong learners, and adults learn differently than children. They have different mindsets. They’re not so passive, they’re active, and that’s really the main…”
For me it’s the value of the networking. I think these connections that I’m building with all of these people are invaluable because, you never know when you’re going to run into…”
I needed something to fit my schedule, and this was perfect. I can do my work at home. I don’t have to leave my office and go to class.”
It has been a while since I took classes or completed any type of education or higher learning. I have been working and having a family. I feared if I could study and do papers.”
With it being 2023, I think the future is going to be technology. Being online, it helps you to kind of investigate those skills a little bit better.”
It helped me hone in on my self-discipline, I would say, because you’re not going to class, you don’t have the professor there, your peers right next to you, so you really have to…”
We’ve always been Razorback fans. I thought it would be an awesome thing to graduate as a Razorback and I knew that the University of Arkansas had a great online program so that’s…”
The things that I would study and learn I would be able to put immediately into practice. And it kept me on the cutting edge of the current literature as far as research goes.”
I would tell someone else, just do it. Whatever fears you have, whatever is holding you back, just pursue it and pursue it with everything that you have because you’re only going…”
I learned about allocating resources, how best to allocate them. I really liked the leadership principles class. I think I work better with people, matching people with the right…”
You always hear engineers don’t have social skills, people skills and such. We spend four years doing math. In undergrad, we dread group projects, but at work, essentially group…”
This degree will allow me to incorporate even more activities and opportunities for my students in the classroom and being from a small school that’s invaluable for these students…”
Taking classes from the leadership classes to quality management, project management, it’s all things that currently apply to what I was doing. It gave me a better understanding.”
“What the difference was – my only frame of experience was going for my bachelor’s and that was a lot of studying and reading and some discussion in class but this was a whole…”
If you don’t think you have time to go to college and there’s an online degree option, you could try it. I was able to earn my degree online because it was more flexible, you have…”
The MSOM’s technical basis was a natural fit for me working in manufacturing. Part of my job is project management. I lead a team of our engineering and maintenance group so the…”
This was the degree I wanted so there really was no other option for me. I just wouldn’t have been able to get my master’s.”
I met some amazing fellow students, and we are still in contact today and I will stay in contact with those four to five individuals and that’s been my highlight throughout the…”
I knew that I wanted a higher education, and I knew I was interested in analytics. Looking at the description for this degree, it matched what I was looking for and interested in.”
There's a big difference between getting an online MBA and an executive MBA program. You're surrounded by people who have already been executives.”
I have a passion for being a role model for my girls and have an overall love of learning. I want to prove that learning and success have no age limit, and I am very thankful for…”
Being an online student is really nice. I don't stress about time as much as I did back when I was in person classes. I do not believe I could work full time in a healthy way if…”
There’s different emphases. We've got doctors and lawyers in the program, like people from all walks of life. I think no matter the field that you're in, you can apply at least…”
I wanted access to a Tier 1 research institution with high quality professors who are published in the field. I wanted to have good ratios and relationships with my cohort and…”
A lot of LPNs really want to go back to school. When they find out that I’m in a bachelor’s program, it’s like, ‘hey, if I can get into that program, I can get a better degree in…”
I can set my schedule on when and how I want to study. Like during my lunch break I can go on, I can study. I can study when the kids are asleep.”
I have definitely become more aware of the administrator's point of view. I look at the organization as a whole, not just my class, and how my teaching influences the school…”
So, I was concerned about an online program. But it was not as hard as I thought it would be not having that same kind of personal interaction.”
I was determined I was going to do it. When I started nursing school, I didn't know exactly what I wanted to do, but nursing education is a good fit.”
My roots are here. Also, I didn't have to take the GRE, and I liked my professors. I would tell anyone it's worth it. Even though it's a challenge at the time, I think it will pay…”
There's an ungodly amount of tools available. I used the UA Libraries every single day online. It opened all sorts of resources I could pull from and interesting topics I'd never…”
If you are self-motivated, it's better than going to class from 8 to 3:30 every day. I worked full time, and we had a newborn when I started. It was very convenient to do online.”
Special education has always been my love. This degree is enabling me to be able to go back and be an instructor of education and work preparing future teachers.”
The program is really flexible. The eight-week courses mean that you're not overloaded. I came home after work and did my assignments.”
I also didn't want to leave Pocahontas. My whole family is in this area. A lot of programs in person I wouldn't be able to do. This program I could do after work and on weekends.”
This is the perfect time to do this and the reason I say that is the flexibility for the program being online is amazing. You can do it at your own pace...”
I have been plugging the special education master's degree with other teachers. Many special educators with bachelor's degrees want to go on.”
It felt right to me. I felt like it would give me something more against other people who wanted to do the same job as me as a P.E. teacher or just as a teacher in general.”
The faculty of adult and lifelong learning have a balance between Doctors of Philosophy and Doctors of Education and the way they interacted with each of us as students, my…”
I enjoy online learning as well as teaching online. This is why the online M.Ed. program suited me...I would tell anyone considering an online program to do it.”
It's an excellent career. You have different specialties to take care of people, and it's all about good customer service.”
The reputation of the university was a key factor in my decision to attend the U of A; the university has very strong credentials.”
I felt driven to do it, I was so close when I left. When I was young, I let other things take priority, but I know it's never too late.”
The U of A was able to take almost all of my classes, whereas another school only wanted to take a very few credits. I just had to do a couple prerequisites before I could start…”
The Walton College also has an excellent reputation in business, so it sounded like a perfect fit for me, And the online program allows me to get a full-time job while pursuing a…”
I'm definitely going to recommend this, especially to all the moms who need flexible timings and want to get back to their careers.”
I found the University of Arkansas Online through the U.S. News & World Report ranking of online degree programs.”
Once I realized that this is something that I would really enjoy doing, I started researching the Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in Supply Chain Management at the…”
You really dabble in all the aspects of business. I know that there are specialized degree plans, like supply chain or accounting, but this degree plan makes you take a class in…”
I think that it's great that there's a scholarship specifically for online students because, especially now with COVID, it's really given online students a spotlight and shows…”
After I get my degree, I’m hoping I can use the strategic management and the project management aspects of it a lot. I’ve already used some of the project management and strategic…”
The University of Arkansas was an undoubted choice for both my undergraduate degree in supply chain management and my Master of Applied Business Analytics because I love “The…”
I have always wanted to be an RN, and kept having obstacles that stopped me, but I am dedicated to complete this dream of mine.”
Something that I absolutely love about online at Arkansas is that I have a connection to my professors. If I need one of them in any situation, I can reach out to them and know…”
I was so happy that I was awarded a scholarship. Every penny just makes it more affordable for me to continue toward my degree.”
I launched a company, Horizon Health Solutions, through UA’s New Venture Development program, and we are going through the business plan competition circuit.”
When COVID initially hit the U.S., we shut down our schools and provided instruction virtually. This experience has allowed me to gain knowledge in utilizing online resources for…”
In the nursing field, most employers require the applicant to be a registered nurse. While there are many opportunities for employment as a licensed practical nurse in long term…”
The great thing about this degree program is it’s perfect for those wanting to move into leadership roles one day. If I want to move into an HR leadership role, I’ll have the…”
Pursuing a master’s with the AECT department felt natural and was the perfect fit, especially with a degree emphasis on communications.”
Online classes in the EMBA program connect my technical experience with real-world, real-time business skills and knowledge by drawing on the experience and teachings of the…”
Online was my only option. When I found that you had a 100 percent online program, I was so excited. The University of Arkansas has a spectacular reputation for excellence and…”
I think it’s a great program, especially for someone who knows what they’re wanting to do next in life, whether that be in project management or owning a construction company.”
I've told quite a few LPNs in my area about this program and several of my friends who are even out of state. I've told them to check into the U of A's program, especially with…”
I feel as though the faculty are probably the best asset that the university and program have to offer. Every professor that I have learned from since last August 2020 has been a…”
I would (recommend this degree), especially to anybody who needs to be home, who has family obligations, preexisting professional ones or desired professional goals.”
Every time I get a chance to talk about this program, I recommend it because you can go anywhere you want with it. It’s completely open, and it’s a flexible structure.”
The number of women in the workforce now is at the same number it was 30 years ago. Working, going to school, and being a parent is difficult during the best of times, and Covid…”
When I looked at online programs, the U of A was hands-down the best 100 percent-online degree program for me.”
I believe that my education, coming from the University of Arkansas, has a significant influence on helping me to achieve my career goals.”
This program is allowing me to finish what I started so long ago and what I thought I would never be able to do – finally finish school with a degree.”
I plan on using my education to contribute back to the great state of Arkansas, specifically Northwest Arkansas.”
I hope to use what I’ve learned in the new program to assist other rural Arkansans by providing scholarships to assist them in their journey at the U of A in the future.”
I remain committed to teaching special education students because it provides a sense of worth, unspeakable joy, and an opportunity to be a learner and a leader.”
I love nursing, so for me, personally, it would be very rewarding to achieve my goal of becoming an RN.”
I have truly enjoyed my experience in the program and have gained valuable knowledge that directly impacts my career interests.”
After I complete my degree, I hope to have more confidence so that I can eagerly go after those opportunities and more.”
I’ve met some incredible professionals in education from other states that would not have been possible without this program.”
As I look to become a physical education teacher, I believe my degree has provided a greater understanding of how humans learn new tasks.”
I chose an online DNP study program, as it was flexible with my nursing career...It is a flexible program that is run by great faculty that strive on the success of their students.”
I chose to attend the University of Arkansas because I wanted to challenge myself with a rigorous curriculum at one of the best colleges in America.”
This degree will also allow me to be eligible for leadership roles such as preceptor (training nurse) and charge nurse. In my opinion, this program is the best program for LPNs…”
Earning my degree in operations management will provide a greater depth of knowledge to become an expert at my craft.”
Earning my bachelor’s degree in nursing will give me further job flexibility as a registered nurse and is the next step in the process of becoming a nurse practitioner.”
I have always had a passion for teaching and leading my community in the right direction. (This program) will enhance my ability to become a better leader for the adult learners,…”
[This degree] will mean I am well-equipped to take what I have learned and spread my knowledge in the classroom or gymnasium as a teacher.”
Due to the flexibility of online classes offered with the University of Arkansas, I worked full time yet earned a 4.0 GPA and made the Chancellor’s List.”
In this program, I have learned new concepts and ideas and teaching strategies that I can’t wait to integrate into my own classroom.”
This program will allow me to grow and develop into a competent Registered Nurse who can provide total care to a patient. I want to be able to do it all.”
This determination I have had over the years to do things without being told and to do them well has served me well in my pursuit of my master’s online.”
The skills I’ve learned while attending the University of Arkansas are on display daily. I know I’ve become a more effective communicator, leader and analyst.”
It is my fiercest belief that education is the foundation on which all impactful innovations are constructed.”
The U of A was an excellent opportunity for me. It’s online, it’s reputable, and it’s cost effective.”
Through the EDLE grad program at the University of Arkansas, I’ve learned I can help more than just myself.”
I want to continue my education by getting my B.S.N. from the University of Arkansas.”
The staff and faculty really were focused and geared toward success for the students. They really wanted to educate people and prepare them for future careers.”
The instructors are fabulous; they understand that we have lives, we have jobs, we have kids, and they’ve always been wonderful about helping.”
I liked (studying online) a lot. It was much more organized. I could see everything (class assignments) and plan out my week.”
Degrees matter in today’s workplace. I know a lot of companies that won’t even give you an interview without a bachelor’s degree.”
I’m so thankful that I switched to the online program. … It gave me the opportunity to live where I wanted to live and go to school.”
I chose to (study) online because of the flexibility. I can work while studying, and it’s nice not being tied to one area.”
I don’t think I would have been as successful in any other online RN to BSN program. … It’s just been a great experience.”
Probably 50 percent of the concepts learned in the ops management program are relevant and utilized each and every day I'm at work.”
Without hesitation, if someone asked me if they should take an online class, I would say yes, and I would recommend the U of A.”
I love the flexibility. I love the ability to start and stop lectures when I’m taking notes. That’s not something you can do in the classroom.”
It worked with my schedule, and gave me more flexibility. If I knew something for school was coming up in about 3 weeks that was going to take up a lot of my time, I could work…”
Every class and classmate contributed to enrich my knowledge and think creatively...I am grateful to the program for making me believe in myself, to reach the impossible.”
This program has opened up doors that I never thought possible. It has launched my career further ahead than I ever thought. ...”
I really was able to work at my own pace and kind of pick and choose the classes that I thought were the most relevant for my position.”
One thing I enjoyed about the program was its mixture of mathematical concepts with cost analysis and finance, combined with project management and operations principles.”
Overall, the program has made me a better leader, manager and ultimately a more rounded person.”
By Chapter 2 of the very first course, I was bringing my textbook into the office and applying the data analytics concepts.”
My only regret was that I didn't pursue this degree earlier in my career.”
I know that the knowledge and skills gained through the MSOM program will undoubtedly give me a competitive advantage in order to move forward in my career.”
I found the program was extremely applicable to real life jobs. It wasn't all just theory.”
The one thing I like most about the format of the online program at the University of Arkansas is that I can still see my professor.”
The M.S.O.M. degree is more than a bullet on my resume...Each class was an eye opener that made me curious to learn more.”
I was amazed and impressed by the quality of the curriculum, the immediate and continual feedback from professors, peer collaboration projects, and the wide array of skills I…”
The flexibility is unparalleled, and the teachers truly love what they're doing.”
I have already been promoted three times in less than two years with my current employer, and my experiences at the University of Arkansas have been a huge part of my success thus…”
I decided to pursue a Master of Human Resource Development in Human Resource and Workforce Development because of my high interest in working with people, the most crucial…”
The completion of my Master of Science in Agricultural and Extension Education degree has provided relational and financial advancement at Tyson.”
Any administrator will tell you that they really don’t have time to go back to school and take on-campus classes. I have three kids at home, too.”
The University of Arkansas provided an excellent academic program with incredible value. The professors administer online courses with the same rigor as the on-campus experience.”
This [online Master of Science in Agricultural Extension Education] program has been a blessing to me. Without the distance education program, I probably could not have gotten my…”
I like taking online classes because I’m a working adult. When you go to lectures in person, you can miss things or just be there physically rather than mentally.”
Although I was initially skeptical that the online LLM in Agricultural and Food Law program would benefit me as much as the in-person experience, the professors have done an…”
The University as a whole has a great family feeling. It's big, but it feels really small. You feel like a person and not just a number.”
I felt the curriculum of the University of Arkansas’ R.N. to B.S.N. program was superior to the other university programs I had looked at.”
This has been the best decision of my educational career. If you’re not able to be at the U of A, this is the next best thing.”
While his daughter was earning her bachelor’s degree from the College of Engineering on campus, Jonesboro engineer Andrew Hill earned his master’s degree in engineering online.”
Technology is going to continue to impact all aspects of education, from the way students learn to how instruction is delivered.”
You have all the same tools that a traditional student has, but you have the luxury of being able to pursue a career while getting a degree at the same time.”
If the Master of Science in Food Safety program had not been available online, then I would not have been able to earn my degree.”
I actually have two brothers that are also engineers, and all three of us agreed that we would do the master's program together.”
There are a lot of online programs to choose from, and some are better than others. The online Master of Education in Special Education and Graduate Certificate in Applied…”
The University of Arkansas is well-known within the poultry industry, with many graduates working at high levels within many different poultry companies.”
Jenna White, a 2012 graduate who studied online, won a $25,000 Milken Educator Award for her work as a physical education teacher in Alaska, where she teaches everything from ice…”
