University of Arkansas at Fort Smith (UAFS) graduates will soon have an easier path to pursue a health care career thanks to an “accelerated pathways” agreement between the university and Little Rock-based University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS).
The three-year agreement approved Feb. 10 by the two institutions provides easier access to 14 UAMS programs by offering qualifying UAFS students interviews, priority application review, or automatic admission.
“We greatly value this partnership and look forward to continued collaborations to create seamless pathways for students to advance their health care careers after completing their degree at UAFS,” said Tina Maddox, associate provost at the UAMS Northwest Regional Campus, who led development of the agreement, according to a UAFS press release.
The agreement spans UAMS programs in the College of Health Professions, College of Pharmacy, College of Nursing, and Fay W. Boozman College of Public Health. Participating programs include degrees in cytology (study of cells), medical laboratory sciences, respiratory care, speech language pathology, audiology, physical therapy, pharmacy, nursing, public health, health administration, health care data analytics, and doctoral research programs.
“UAFS plays an important role in preparing the future health care workforce, both through the programs on our campus that put nurses, surgical technicians, and more into the workforce, and through our partnerships with institutions like UAMS, where our graduates take the next step toward medical degrees,” said UAFS Chancellor Terisa Riley. “Our faculty prepare UAFS graduates by building strong academic foundations early, and this agreement ensures those talented students have a clear path forward toward the next stage in their education.”
Depending on the program, eligible UAFS students who meet a certain grade point average and prerequisite criteria will receive one of three levels of enhanced admissions consideration: a guaranteed interview, priority application review that bypasses standard prescreening, or automatic admission.
The collaboration was initiated through conversations between UAMS Northwest Regional Campus leadership, Riley, and UAFS Provost Shadow Robinson.
“We are incredibly grateful for the opportunity and the partnership,” said Ryan Cork, vice chancellor of the UAMS Northwest Region. “This agreement reflects our shared commitment to expanding access to health professions education and strengthening the health care workforce across Arkansas.”
UAFS students wishing to benefit from the agreement must declare their intent to apply to a participating UAMS program by the relevant program’s admissions deadline and obtain certification from a designated UAFS faculty or staff member confirming they meet the eligibility criteria.
“The significance of this agreement extends far beyond admissions,” Riley said. “Many of the students who start at UAFS go on to become the providers, practitioners, and health care leaders who serve this region. Creating stronger pathways for their success is one of the most influential ways we invest in healthier communities and a stronger future for western Arkansas and the state as a whole.”
