What Academic Programs and Colleges Does UCA Offer?

Updated

The University of Central Arkansas (UCA) is a public comprehensive university organized into several colleges and schools, offering both undergraduate and graduate degrees. According to the university's own site, its academic structure includes the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences; the College of Business; the College of Education; the College of Health and Behavioral Sciences; and the College of Science and Engineering, along with the Schedler Honors College and the Graduate School. If you are trying to figure out whether UCA has a program in your area, the fastest path is to start from the college that matches your field, then drill into its programs and degrees.

Colleges and Schools at UCA

UCA's academics are grouped under these units, based on the university's navigation:

College / School Likely focus area
College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences Arts, humanities, social science disciplines
College of Business Business-related programs
College of Education Teacher preparation and education fields
College of Health and Behavioral Sciences Health professions and behavioral sciences
College of Science and Engineering Natural sciences and engineering
Schedler Honors College Honors-track undergraduate study
Graduate School Graduate programs and degrees

The site lists "Colleges & Departments" as a single academic entry point, which means each college is further divided into departments. That department layer is where you find the specific major, minor, or concentration you would actually enroll in.

Undergraduate and Graduate Degree Options

UCA separates its offerings into two main degree catalogs:

  • Undergraduate Programs & Degrees — the bachelor's-level majors, minors, and related fields of instruction.
  • Graduate Programs & Degrees — master's and other graduate-level programs, administered through the Graduate School.

Both are reachable from the Academics section. The university also maintains an Undergraduate Bulletin and a Graduate Bulletin, which are the official catalogs for degree requirements. If you need to confirm whether a specific degree exists or what it requires, the bulletins are the authoritative source rather than a general program list.

Honors, Online, and Global Learning Options

Beyond the standard college structure, UCA offers a few distinct academic paths:

  • Schedler Honors College — a dedicated honors college for undergraduates, listed separately from the other colleges.
  • Online Programs — UCA maintains an online programs listing, so some degrees or courses can be completed online.
  • Center for Global Learning and Engagement — handles study abroad and global engagement opportunities.
  • Living Learning Communities — themed residential-academic communities listed under both Academics and Campus Life.
  • Intensive English Program — available through International Admissions for students who need English language preparation.

These are not separate colleges but alternative or supplementary ways to pursue study within UCA's academic structure.

How to Find the Right Program

  1. Go to the Academics section of the UCA site.
  2. Choose Colleges & Departments if you know your broad field, or Programs & Degrees if you want to browse by credential.
  3. Select undergraduate or graduate depending on your level.
  4. Open the relevant Bulletin to verify degree requirements, since the bulletins are the official catalog.

A common snag: the top-level navigation lists colleges and a separate "Programs & Degrees" link, so a program may appear in both places. If a search does not surface what you expect, check the department page inside the relevant college before assuming the program does not exist.

What This Means for You

If you already know your intended field, match it to one of the five main colleges plus the honors college or Graduate School, then confirm the specific degree in the appropriate bulletin. If you are undecided, browsing Programs & Degrees by undergraduate or graduate level is the more direct route. For non-traditional paths, check the online programs list, the Center for Global Learning and Engagement, or the Intensive English Program depending on your situation.