Arkansas State University at Jonesboro

Arkansas State University at Jonesboro is also featured in our ranking Top 10 Best Online Business Degree Programs and Business Schools.

Arkansas State University began in 1909 when the state legislature created an agricultural school, one of four created that were designed to teach the art of textile manufacturing as well as agriculture and horticulture. The first classes were held in the old Elks Lodge Hall, located above a jewelry store in downtown Jonesboro. Initially, students paid no tuition but were expected to work on campus, assisting a staff that consisted of a superintendent of farms and a superintendent of residence halls as well as a secretary.

The school hosted a Student Army Training Corps during World War I, but rules required schools who hosted the units must be at least junior college level. The curriculum was quickly added to meet the requirement and, in 1925, the name of the school was changed to the First District Agricultural and Mechanical College.

Although the training unit did not last on the campus as the war ended just two months after the assignment, a larger military presence existed when the Arkansas National Guard Anti-Aircraft unit was assigned there. In the 1920s, a training school for teachers opened at the college with a mission to train educators. In 1932, the school became known as Arkansas State College.

During World War II, the National Guard Unit on campus was activated, dropping enrollment significantly. To keep the school operational, several military units were trained at Arkansas State during the war. After the war, enrollment exploded as soldiers returned from battle and took advantage of the G.I. Bill.

Today, there are 14,085 students attending Arkansas State University and more than 81,000 alumni.

Arkansas State University Online Degree(s) Available

Online MBA

Arkansas State University offers an online Master of Business Administration designed for students of varied academic and professional backgrounds. The program focuses on industry need for individuals who understand business at the local, regional, national and global level. Students develop leadership qualities while gaining knowledge in the latest technology, decision tools and ethics related to today’s business world. Students may choose to concentrate their degree in Management Information Systems, Supply Chain Management, Healthcare, International Business or Finance. Courses required for the MBA include:

  • Accounting for Planning and Control
  • Business Analytics
  • Corporate Financial Management
  • Global Strategic Initiatives
  • Management Information Systems
  • Managerial Economics
  • Seminar in Organizational Behavior
  • Strategic Management
  • Strategic Marketing
  • Survey of Accounting
  • Survey of Finance
  • Survey of Law
  • Survey of Macroeconomics
  • Survey of Microeconomics
  • Survey of Operations Management
  • Survey of Statistics

Students who choose the Finance concentration must also take:

  • Financial Statement Analysis
  • International Financial Markets
  • Seminar in Finance

Students who choose the concentration in Healthcare Administration must also complete:

  • Current Issues in Healthcare Administration
  • Healthcare Policies and Ethics
  • Services Marketing Strategy Development
  • Strategic Management

They must also complete a healthcare internship.

Students who wish to concentrate their degree in International Business must complete:

  • Emerging Markets and Global Strategic Initiatives
  • Seminar in International Human Resource Management
  • Seminar in International Corporate Social Responsibility or Global Social Entrepreneurship

The concentration in Management Information Systems requires:

  • Electronic Commerce
  • MIS Elective
  • Simulation for Predictive Decision Making

The concentration in Supply Chain Management requires:

  • Global Supply Chain Management
  • Logistics Operations
  • Seminar in Logistics Management
  • Sourcing and Procurement

The Master of Business Administration is offered in a completely online format.

Arkansas State University Accreditation Details

Arkansas State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Accreditation is a quality assurance process in which the university is periodically reviewed on a voluntary basis by the Commission to confirm that students are receiving a high-quality education. In addition, The College of Business is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International. Since 1916, the accrediting agency has been assuring parents, students, and employers that institutes of higher education are providing the best business education possible.

Arkansas State University Application Requirements

Undergraduate students who wish to attend Arkansas State University must have a high school GPA of 2.75. They must also have a minimum ACT score of 21 or a combined SAT score of 990. Students must complete an application and provide official high school transcripts as well as official ACT or SAT scores.

Transfer students who have completed 12 or fewer credit hours are considered freshmen and must follow freshmen application procedures. Students who have completed 13 to 23 credit hours must submit ACT or SAT scores. Students with 24 or more credits must present transcripts from all colleges or universities attended and must have a cumulative GPA of 2.0.

Students must first apply to the Graduate School in order to be accepted for the online MBA program. Students must hold a bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university and must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher. Students must submit official transcripts from all college and universities attended. Students must provide official GMAT or GRE scores.

Arkansas State University Tuition and Financial Aid

Undergraduate tuition is $210 per credit hour for in-state students and $420 for out-of-state students. Tuition for the online Master of Business Administration at Arkansas State University is $610 per credit hour.

Financial aid is available in the form of loans, work-study, scholarships, and grants. In order to qualify for federal financial aid, students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This makes them eligible for federal and state grants as well as federal student and parent loans. It may also qualify them for work-study programs to help offset the cost of tuition. Students who wish to qualify for scholarships may need to complete additional applications. Students who choose to attend classes on campus may also qualify for graduate assistantships.

Arkansas State University began with a mission to provide education in the areas of agricultural and mechanical trades. Over the years, their mission has expanded, and they now offer many degrees that can help individuals move into a new career or advance in a current career. Arkansas State University also offers many online degree programs that are designed with working adults in mind.