Accelerated, Accredited Online SAU Tech Programs
Southern Arkansas University Tech appears in our ranking of the Top 10 Associate’s in General Studies Online.
On D2L Brightspace, Southern Arkansas University Tech has an Online Campus that schedules seven-week digital sessions to complete seven associate and six certificate options faster at a 21:1 student-faculty ratio with Rocket Success Center & Library resources. For example, the AAS Computer Information Systems Technology builds a 63-credit, two-year curriculum under Prof. Jodi Eppinette with online courses like Ethical Hacking and Cloud Computing to prepare for CompTIA or Microsoft MCSA certifications. Chaired by Prof. Randy Harper, the 63-credit APS Environmental Management follows EPA standards and offers American Water Works Association membership for municipal wastewater jobs paying $49,679 on average.
Ranked 22nd by ValueColleges.com, the AAS Fire Science Management & Emergency Response has a 60-credit, IFSAC-accredited sequence led by Prof. Beverly Ellis online with Rookie School included for current volunteers to earn Firefighter II certification. The AS Teacher Education delivers a 60-credit 2+2 track directed by Prof. Sara Landaverde for online courses like Principles of Speech that transfer to Henderson State or Southern Arkansas University.
Other Web-based options include the Associate of Arts, AAS Office Management, AA General Education, AS Business Administration, General Studies Certificate, Medical Transcription Certificate, Health Sciences Certificate, Office Software Specialist Certificate, and Entrepreneurship Certificate.
About Southern Arkansas University Tech
Southern Arkansas University Tech originated on April 5, 1967, when the Legislature passed Act 534 to develop the Southwest Technical Institute. That year, Senator John L. McClellan made a deal with the Brown Foundation to build it at the 71-acre Highland Industrial Park. In 1967, it formally partnered with the Arkansas Fire Academy started in Fayetteville 28 years prior. In September 1968, an inaugural class of 144 entered two-year associate degrees in 11 areas. In 1975, the Southern Arkansas University Board of Trustees in Magnolia acquired it. Fully accredited in 1980, SAU Tech developed into a premier transfer institution under President Charles O. Ross. In Spring 2005, President Roger L. Worsley introduced the first Internet classes at Arkansas’ fastest-growing college.
Budgeting $54.9 million, Southern Arkansas University Tech now employs 106 faculty teaching 1,800 Rockets for 52 percent graduation online and on-site with 11 clubs like the National Technical Honor Society. In 2018, SAU Tech received a $1 million Arkansas Workforce Initiative Grant for defense technology training. In 2019, SAU Tech was named among the top 150 finalists qualifying for the Aspen Prize of Community College Excellence. On WalletHub, SAU Tech boasts America’s seventh best education outcomes and 38th best cost. Niche ranked Southern Arkansas University 381st for campus safety and 575th for student diversity. College Factual also placed SAU Tech 102nd for general business and 96th for physical sciences.
Southern Arkansas University Tech Accreditation Details
On June 23, 2012, Southern Arkansas University Tech had Level I accreditation reaffirmed by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (HLC-NCA) Institutional Actions Council for standards compliance through 2019-20 under Chancellor Jason Morrison, Ph.D. Located 745 miles north via Interstate 57 in Chicago, this mega 19-state Mississippi River Region accreditor is authorized by the U.S. Department of Education to review SAU Tech’s 30 associate degrees, 25 technical certificates, and 26 certificates of proficiency. Particularly, the Online AAS in Fire Science Management is accredited by the International Fire Service Accreditation Congress (IFSAC). The AAS in Aviation Maintenance is Arkansas’ first approved by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) too.
Southern Arkansas University Tech Application Requirements
Starting Southern Arkansas University Tech is classified “non-competitive” by Peterson’s because 100 percent of the 954 Fall 2017 applicants were selected for open enrollment. Future online Rockets still must exhibit readiness for a college curriculum though. High school diplomas or GED subject scores above 145 would suffice. Freshmen must verify two measles, mumps, and rubella vaccinations if born after 1957. Only the Tech Scholars Program lists a minimum GPA of 3.25. Otherwise, SAU Tech students simply must maintain at least 2.0 GPAs. The Office of Testing requires scheduling the Accuplacer or Compass test. Exemptions exist for students who’ve scored 19 or better on the ACT. Non-remedial courses require a 45 ASSET English or 35 ASSET Math mark. Concurrent enrollment relies on a 428 ACT Aspire or 47 PSAT score. Online transfers can carry up to 45 college credits graded “C” or greater.
Southern Arkansas University Tech conveniently offers a fast, rolling admission process year-round. The only published deadline is May 1st for the Tech Scholars Program. Financial aid priority dates are June 1st for Fall and November 1st for Spring starts. Accordingly, complete the SAU Tech Application online for free. Official transcripts are shipped to PO Box 3499 at 6415 Spellman Road in Camden, AR 71711. For testing reports, select ACT code 6031 or SAT code 04112. Other documentation includes the class registration form, placement scores, transfer evaluation, payment plan, immunization record, and tax return. Inquire further by contacting (870) 574-4500 or jsanders@sautech.edu.
Tuition and Financial Aid
For 2018-19, Southern Arkansas University Tech charged Natural State residents $108 per credit. Non-resident undergrads paid $156 per credit. Each course added a $25 processing fee, $25 Internet fee, $3 technology fee, and $9 activity fee per credit. The Tech Learning Center fee was $15. Nursing programs came with a $921 curriculum fee and $366 licensure fee. FAA certification fees were $250 every semester. The Arkansas Environmental Training Academy billed $106 per course online. Arkansas Fire Training Academy students spent $30 per course. Online associate majors saved the $1,400 per semester on room and board in Rocket Complex. SAU Tech still budgeted $1,500 for textbooks and supplies. Annual attendance equaled about $13,246 in-state and $14,686 out-of-state.
According to the NCES College Navigator, the Financial Aid Office at Administration Hall gifts $2.81 million yearly for 77 percent of SAU Tech Rockets to soar with median assistance of $4,714 apiece. Institutional funds include the George R. Brown Scholarship, Zachery Brian Hooper Scholarship, Carol Ferns Scholarship, Betty J. Lewis Minority Scholarship, Lockheed Martin Heritage Scholarship, Wayne Taylor Scholarship, Alfred Smith Scholarship, Thomas & Ida Lee Walters Scholarship, Mattie Young BPW Scholarship, and Judge Plunket Scholarship. The Merit Scholarship awards $1,500 each term for freshmen with minimum 19 ACT scores. Online adults age 21 or older with GPAs above 2.5 qualify for the $1,000 Progressive Scholarship. Valedictorians and salutatorians applying by January 1st earn full tuition waivers plus $250 book stipends. Submitting FAFSA forms coded 007738 determines Federal Pell Grant, SEOG Grant, and Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized Loan eligibility. The Arkansas Department of Higher Education also offers the Academic Challenge Scholarship, AR Future Grant, Health Education Grant, and Law Enforcement Officers’ Dependent Scholarship.
Continue reading about Southern Arkansas University Tech at the Online Campus website.
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