School Details
Established in 1909, SAU has built on its dedication to student achievement and continues to grow, both on campus and online. It began as an agricultural school before becoming a college and then finally, in 1976, a university. Today the university boasts over 4,000 students in a culture of caring. Offering one of the nation’s most affordable rates, SUA provides opportunities for intellectual growth, individual enrichment, skill development, and career preparation.
SAU offers over 80 degrees, spread over associate’s, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees. Certificates are also offered. For greater flexibility, SUA online degrees are available. These online programs may be flexible, but they are also high-quality and feature top-notch support. Online degrees at SUA foster academic and professional success.
Accreditation & Licensing
Southern Arkansas University is accredited by:
Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
All Programs
Business
Southern Arkansas University offers the online BBA with an emphasis in Management. This degree is a 2+2 program designed to allow individuals the convenience of completing a four-year degree wherever they live or work. Upon graduation, students will be prepared to be socially responsible citizens who can think critically, solve problems, and make informed decisions. Students will be able to use technology effectively in their fields, as well as possess the necessary skills to be successful.
The online MBA degree program provides courses in accounting, economics, finance, marketing, organizational theory, quantitative analysis, strategic management, and management information systems. Students also examine perspectives on ethical, global, political, social, legal and regulatory, and environmental issues. Critical perspectives are also emphasized.
Students may choose one of two emphases to customize their degrees:
- Agricultural Business
- Supply Chain Management
Graduates are prepared to be socially responsible, effective business leaders with an awareness of cultural and diversity issues and the ability to make ethical decisions. They are also skilled communicators, decision makers, and critical thinkers who are able to effectively and legally access and use information to support decisions.
The online MBA curriculum in Agri-Business program emphasizes accounting, agriculture markets and prices, finance, marketing, organizational theory, and business analytics. You will also study strategic management, supply chain management, international trade of agriculture products, and agricultural policies and management of agricultural production. The curriculum also emphasizes critical perspectives. These include ethical, global, political, social, legal, regulatory, and environmental issues. Students study technology, demographic diversity, and communication skills. Graduates are prepared to pursue careers in farm management or marketing, agricultural policy or market analysis, logistics, international agricultural policy or marketing, quality control, and more.
Leadership skills are cultivated through the curriculum of this online MBA in Business Leadership. Students learn how to consider various perspectives in their decision making, preparing them to become more effective leaders.
When making decisions, students will take ethical, political, social, legal, and other issues into account. Coursework emphasizes written and oral communication skills to convey important information to various stakeholders. This online organizational leadership degree program boasts AACSB International accreditation, assuring students of a quality business education.
Some of the topics covered in the Business Leadership concentration include:
- Accounting
- Agriculture markets
- Finance
- Marketing
- Business analytics
- Supply chain management
This online MBA program offers an optional concentration in Data Analytics for students interested in uncovering business insights through analysis of big data. With prestigious AACSB International accreditation, students can be assured that this program meets high quality standards.
Students without a Business Administration undergraduate degree can pursue this program after completing prerequisite coursework. Students learn how to think strategically, combining data, analytics software, and proven decision-making techniques to help their organizations thrive. Classes also prepare students to effectively present their findings to stakeholders through various communication methods.
This online business analytics degree program offers coursework like:
- Data Visualization
- Data Mining
- Machine Learning
- Big Data
The online MBA with a concentration in Social Entrepreneurship prepares graduates to be entrepreneurial in ways that help solve societal problems so that they can make a difference in the world around them. Social Entrepreneurship is defined as “the process of pursuing business-led solutions to achieve social aims, and the reinvestment of surplus for community benefit,” and has gained popularity as business organizations have adopted some form of social responsibility strategy. The curriculum provides the skills and knowledge necessary to support innovative efforts to implement social entrepreneurship strategies.
This includes the areas of:
- Creativity
- Innovation and Entrepreneurship
- International Business
- Sustainable Supply Chain Practices
- Project Management
You will learn about community development, community organizing, non-profit fundraising, and social activism so that you are able to see a need and respond to it creatively.
The online MBA concentration in Supply Chain Management program provides students with the skills and knowledge necessary to support organizational efforts to successfully implement supply chain management strategies. Coursework covers topics in supply chain management strategy, enterprise resource planning systems, RFID technology applications, and more. Students study environmentally sustainable supply chain practices, supply chain cybersecurity, and project management.
MBA students are competent in the business discipline and are socially responsible, effective business leaders with an awareness of cultural and diversity issues, and the ability to make ethical decisions. Graduates are effective communicators, critical thinkers, and decision-makers who are able to integrate relevant information and decision-making techniques from multiple business disciplines.
Computer Science & IT
The online MS in Computer & Information Science program is designed to train students in both theories and applications. The curriculum is constantly reviewed and updated to reflect the ongoing changes in the computer science field, and focus areas are available in Information Technology, Data Science, and Cyber Security & Privacy.
Education
You can earn licensure certification in early childhood education with the Bachelor of Science in Education / Elementary Education K-6 from SAU. This online teaching program has such outcomes as:
- Foundational knowledge of early childhood education and child development
- Implementation of developmentally appropriate practices
- Ability to recognize the uniqueness of each student
The online elementary education bachelor’s degree program recognizes that teachers can best serve children by understanding the context of family, culture, and society. The coursework presents fundamental pedagogical and theoretical content and combines it with observational assessment.
You can gain expertise in serving rural and diverse schools with the Doctor of Education in Rural & Diverse Educational Leadership from SAU. This online education administration doctoral degree serves a growing need for school administrators specifically trained in issues facing rural America. Graduates find success with such employers as:
- K-12 settings
- Community colleges
- Universities
- Community organizations
The online educational leadership graduate program imparts an understanding and application of leadership practice, theory, and research in education administration. Through the robust education administration curriculum, you take courses in foundational studies, focus areas, and electives. Candidates must also complete a comprehensive exam and a dissertation.
SAU’s College of Education and Human Performance offers the Graduate Certificate in Instructional Design. This online instructional design graduate certificate emphasizes adult learning and distance education. Other topics of study include:
- Curricular design and evaluation in postsecondary distance learning
- Instructional design theory and practice
- Instructional strategies and tools
- Issues and trends in instructional design
Upon completing this online graduate program, students demonstrate increased competencies in designing and delivering online education programs. Such programs could be for higher education, trade and vocational schools, or even business and corporate training.
You can earn the designation of LEAD Teacher and licensure as an Instructional Facilitator with the Graduate Certificate in Instructional Facilitator / LEAD Teacher from SAU. This online teacher leadership non-degree program offers significant savings of your time and money over a program that leads to a degree.
To enter this online teacher leadership graduate program, students must hold a current teaching license in grades P-12. Topics of study include:
- Foundations of teacher leadership
- Curriculum planning
- School community relations
- Supervision of instruction
For licensure, students must pass the Principles of Learning and Teaching exam. Furthermore, Those desiring to add the LEAD Teacher designation must complete the Performance Assessment for Teacher Leaders.
You can gain graduate-level knowledge in special education without the time and monetary expense of a master’s degree with the Graduate Certificate in Special Education K-12 from SAU. This online gifted and special education graduate certificate covers such topics as:
- Instructional planning for mild disabilities
- Survey of exceptional individuals
- Educational diagnosis and assessment
- Teaching literacy
Upon completing this gifted and special education graduate program, you can use scholarly research to solve authentic problems, network with other teachers, and use technology to enhance learning outcomes. You will also fortify your communication and leadership skills and know how to promote acceptance of diversity in the community.
You can improve your teaching practice with the Graduate Certificate in Teaching from SAU. This online teaching graduate certificate does not provide teacher licensure. Besides learning to value diversity and promote equity, you gain such competencies as:
- Manage student learning through assessments to modify instruction
- Incorporate educational technology into your classroom
- Engage in scholarly research to solve problems
- Improve your leadership and communication skills
With a minimum investment of your time and money, you can enhance your teaching skills, providing your students with better outcomes. This online teaching graduate program delivers best practices and effective modalities to improve your classroom.
You can change careers and earn teacher licensure with the Master of Arts in Teaching / Elementary Education Licensure (K-6) from SAU. This online elementary education master’s degree concludes with an internship for hands-on experience and possible hire.
The elementary education focus of this online degree delves into teaching literacy and STEM methods for math and science. Core courses cover such topics as:
- Methods in education
- Learning theory
- Classroom assessment
- Survey of exceptional individuals
For those with a bachelor’s degree outside of education, SAU’s Master of Arts in Teaching / K-12 Licensure provides initial teacher certification in Arkansas. Career changers rejoice at the detailed information they gain in learning how to excel at teaching. The K-12 Licensure track offers the greatest amount of flexibility for your future in education. Let’s face it: your choice of bachelor’s degree didn’t lead you where you wanted. Therefore, the flexibility of teaching from elementary settings into high school may just be your ticket. Your core teaching coursework provides such outcomes as:
- Managing student learning with assessments to modify instruction to meet the student where they are
- Incorporating educational technology to maximize student outcomes
- Engaging in scholarly research to solve issues as they arise
- Improving your communication and leadership skills
SAU provides a path for those with non-education degrees who seek to impact young learners with the Master of Arts in Teaching / Middle Grades Licensure (4-8). This online secondary education master’s degree imparts the knowledge and skills to enter the classroom with the necessary tools to excel. Besides concentrating on pedagogy for middle schoolers, your online secondary education coursework includes core courses that cover such topics as:
- Education methods
- Theories of learning
- Assessments
- Evaluation of exceptional individuals
Designed for those with non-education degrees to enter the teaching profession, the Master of Arts in Teaching / Secondary Grades Licensure (4-12 or 7-12) from SAU provides a one-stop shop for career changers. This online secondary education master’s degree offers licensure in Arkansas for those seeking employment in 4-12 or 7-12 settings.
Your secondary education program includes an internship after completing your coursework. Besides learning methods in education and classroom assessments, your online teaching graduate coursework covers such topics as:
- Reading diagnostics
- Strategies for content area reading
- Arkansas history (required)
The Master of Education in College Counseling & Student Affairs can open doors to many career positions within higher education. This online counseling master’s degree prepares you for counseling and administrative roles in student services.
Graduates find employment in such places as:
- Residence life and student housing
- Admissions and student orientation
- Recreational sports
- Academic support programs
Your online higher education graduate program emphasizes student development practice and theory. You develop skills in leadership and organizational development as well as technology.
You can prepare for leadership roles within academia with the Master of Education in Educational Leadership in Administration & Supervision from SAU. This online education administration master’s degree leads to licensure as a principal, superintendent, or principal curriculum program administrator.
The program emphasizes field experiences through practicums, clinical experiences, and internships. Topics of study within the online education administration graduate program include:
- Organizational development, evaluation, and action research
- Leadership of special programs and services
- Advanced curriculum / program administrator leadership
- School law
The Master of Education in Higher, Adult & Lifelong Education from SAU compares to the Swiss Army knife of graduate degrees in adult education. This online higher education master’s degree prepares you for such diverse career roles as:
- Advanced administrative or management positions in academia
- Faculty and other trainers / educators in adult education
- Businesses or social services agencies that offer adult training
The online adult education coursework includes courses in foundations, organization and administration, research, curriculum, and teaching, whether on-campus or distance learning. Candidates select an emphasis area of higher education or adult education but may take courses in both. Graduates appreciate this useful and versatile degree to hone their career paths.
You can fill a professed need of superintendents and principals for teacher leaders with the Master of Education in Instructional Facilitator / LEAD Teacher from SAU. This online teacher leadership master’s degree realizes such outcomes as:
- Better instruction
- Enhanced understanding of the connection between administrators and teachers
- New content knowledge and skills to reinvigorate the team
- Increase research-based instruction
Designed for current teachers, the online teacher leadership program provides the knowledge and skills to enhance your classroom teaching. The benefits of learning leadership skills can benefit your career, classroom, your school, and beyond.
You can prepare to promote the success of all your students with the Master of Education in Special Education from SAU. This online gifted and special education master’s degree aligns with the Council for Exceptional Children Teacher Preparation Standards.
Students of this online special education graduate program learn about instructional planning and teaching students with mild disabilities. Other topics include:
- Exceptional individuals
- Classroom and group management
- Educational diagnosis and assessment
- Collaboration and consultation for inclusion
Graduates draw on education scholarship and research to enhance their teaching practice. With an emphasis on leadership, communication, and assessment, the online program delivers in-depth knowledge and skills to improve learning outcomes for those with special needs.
Educators and professionals in education administration can advance their careers with the Post-Graduate Certificate in Building Level Leadership from SAU. This online graduate program covers such topics as:
- School law
- Supervision of instruction in elementary and secondary schools
- Organizational development, evaluation, and action research
- The principalship
To qualify for this online post-graduate certificate, students must hold a related master’s degree. The Counseling and Professional Studies department within the College of Education and Human Performance administers this education administration program.
You can advance your career in education administration with the Post-Graduate Certificate in Curriculum / Program Administrator from SAU. This online curriculum and instruction certificate offers advanced training for those with a master’s degree in an educational field. Topics of study in this curriculum and instruction program include:
- School law
- School and community relations
- Instructional development and supervision
- Organizational development and evaluation
You can advance your career to the district level in education with the Post-Graduate Certificate in District Level Leadership from SAU. This online education administration certificate appeals to those with a related master’s degree who want to take the next step in doing more. Offered through the Counseling and Professional Studies department, the online education administration graduate program delves into such topics as:
- Strategic school finance in rural and diverse communities
- Superintendency
- Administration and assessment of curricular programs
- Educational leadership in rural and diverse communities
The College of Education and Human Performance at SAU offers a Post-graduate Certificate in School Counseling. This online school counseling graduate program requires a related master’s degree and admission to the counseling program.
This graduate program entails internships in both elementary school counseling and secondary school counseling. The online coursework covers such topics as:
- Foundations of school counseling
- Development and administration of school counseling programs
Healthcare
You can become a pro in the mechanics of body movements (aka coaching) with the Master of Science in Kinesiology / Coaching from SAU. This online kinesiology master’s degree promotes such outcomes as:
- Teaching and communication
- Sport skills and tactics
- Organization and administration
- Safety and injury prevention
Through the online coaching master’s degree, students understand the philosophy and ethics of coaching and delve into physical conditioning and development. Graduates learn to promote personal change within the practice of sports.
Math & Science
The online Master of Science in Agriculture program prepares students to succeed in positions of leadership and management in secondary schools and extension education.
The curriculum gives students the tools and knowledge needed in agricultural education, such as effective communication, critical thinking, problem-solving, terminology, information literacy, the application of scholarly and scientific methods, an understanding of their own and other cultures and societies, and effective technology use in the field. Graduates have the content knowledge in their chosen fields and the necessary skills to be successful and are prepared to be personally and socially responsible citizens who can apply knowledge and skills that encourage responsible civil engagement for the advancement of society.