University of Arkansas, UA-Cossatot create transfer degree programs

Two departments within the University of Arkansas' Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences have created transfer degree programs with UA-Cossatot, a community college in DeQueen.

• The Department of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness and the Department of Agricultural Education, Communications and Technology are participating.

What's happening: The programs will allow UA-Cossatot students who earn an associate of science degree in agricultural business to complete their junior and senior years at UA-Fayetteville.

• The students will work toward bachelor's degrees in agricultural business or agricultural education, communication, and technology, according to UA.

Why it matters: The program will give more opportunities to students from southwest Arkansas, an area with generally fewer educational and economic opportunities.

• About 77% of Sevier County (where UA-Cossatot is located) residents completed high school, and about 25% of children live in poverty.

What they're saying:

"We are here to serve the entire state. The more we can do to make our programs available to a diverse set of students from every region of the state, the better it is for all of us."