Finance and Accounting Degrees Offered at Northern Arkansas College
North Arkansas College appears in our ranking of the Top 50 Best Associates in Accounting Online.
The Northern Arkansas College offers accounting-based degrees through two programs: an associate of applied science (A.A.S.) in business administration: accounting emphasis and a technical certificate in accounting. In general, A.A.S. degrees are geared towards students for direct employment into specific careers. A.A.S programs typically have 60-72 hours of course work, excluding remedial courses. Students gain a mastery of skills and knowledge pertaining to performance standards within their degree field. As this degree lends itself to direct employment, transferability is not emphasized within this degree field. In contrast, the technical certificate is a cohesive program of classroom and laboratory collegiate level work designed to demonstrate competency within the certificate’s field. Typical coursework for the technical certificate is between 24 and 42 hours, excluding remedial courses. The technical certificate culminates in a certificate meant to provide the student with the documented educational reference of knowledge and ability.
The A.A.S. in business administration: accounting emphasis provides the student with modern accounting practices to implement them within modern business practices through 60 hours of coursework. This degree is available both in-person and online.
The A.A.S. in business administration: accounting emphasis is broken into four semesters. Each semester consists of 15 credits with emphasis on business, information technology, English, and accounting. Because this is a business degree with an emphasis in accounting, the students will be well-versed in functional business areas. Furthermore, the students will demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively both verbally and non-verbally (i.e. written or through non-verbal platforms such as presentations).
The accounting certificate provides the student with the knowledge, skills, and ability to successfully work in an accounting department at a large company or perform the tasks and functions required for a small company through 30 hours of coursework. The certificate could also be applied to a degree in business administration: accounting emphasis or to partially satisfy the technical component required for an A.A.S. degree in general technology making this certificate ideal for someone who is already embedded in the workforce and unsure if they want to pursue a full degree. The students will demonstrate an ability to make business decisions through the application of financial data and to prepare general purpose financial statements. This degree is available both in-person and online.
The technical certificate overlaps completed with the first two semesters of the A.A.S. in accounting. The courses for a technical certificate in accounting are introduction to business, business mathematics, introduction to information technology, human relations, introduction to accounting, accounting principles I, accounting principles II, financial mathematics, spreadsheet I, computerized accounting, and English composition. For an A.A.S. in business administration: accounting emphasis the previous classes are required in addition to legal environment of business, introduction to finance, business information system, principles of macroeconomics, English composition II, technical report writing, business and professional ethics, business communications, spreadsheet II, principles of microeconomics, business administration capstone project, and business administration internship. While some of the listed classes are listed as optional, the list provides insight into what courses are required by the student.
About North Arkansas College
North Arkansas College was founded in 1974; only one year after citizens in Harrison, AK met and approved to finance permanent facilities for North Arkansas Community College. By 1992, the facilities list expanded to include classrooms, a library, a student center, and a gymnasium. In 1993 North Arkansas Community College became the Arkansas first community college-technical college union when it merged with Twin Lakes Technical College and the area where Twin Lakes Technical College was located became the north campus of the college. The union between the two established education centers resulted in a name change to North Arkansas Community/Technical College. In 1997, North Arkansas Community/Technical College was finally renamed to North Arkansas College.
Between 2008 and 2014, there was a flurry of activity on the North Arkansas College’s campuses. 2008 marked the opening of the Carroll County Center providing more accessible services outside of Harrison, AK. In 2010, an allied health addition was opened, providing access to new classrooms and medical laboratory technology and nursing. In 2014 a science building was opened with two new labs. Northern Arkansas College is currently evaluating the feasibility of adding residence halls to further expand access to students.
North Arkansas College feels more like a community than a college with 95 percent of its students willing to recommend North Arkansas College to a friend or family member. In 2018, North Arkansas College was named 17th best community college in the nation and was in names in the top 50 in 2019 by WalletHub. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, there is a student-to-faculty ration of 14:1 and a total student population of just over 1800.
North Arkansas College Accreditation
North Arkansas College is in good standing with both a regional accreditor and the Arkansas Higher Education Coordination Board. The college is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. While not current, the two degree programs were previously accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs for the school years 2013-2014 and 2015-2016.
North Arkansas College Application Requirements
Applications for North Arkansas College are done online or in-person. For admission, placement scores (ACT or ACCUPLACER), official transcripts from all prior education including GED scores (if applicable), and proof of two measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) immunization are required.
Tuition and Financial Aid
Tuition is dependent on the location that the student lives. In the county in which the college is located (Boone County, AK), the tuition is $74 per credit hour. In-state (Arkansas) tuition is $99 per credit hour. Contiguous counties in Missouri are $124 per credit hour. All other locations out of the state are $169 per credit hour. There is an additional $24 per credit hour mandatory fee for students. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, if living in Boone County Arkansas, the 2018-2019 tuition and fees are $2,280 per year.
Grants, scholarships, work-study, and both federal and private loans are available for financial aid. Before financial aid disbursement, a free application for federal student aid (FASFA) must be filled out. There are a variety of scholarships that are based on merit, geographical location, academic interest, and need to name just a few of the themes available. The federal Pell grant and federal supplemental education opportunity grants are both available as well. Loans are available through the federal government in the form of subsidized and unsubsidized loans. Private student loans are also available and are typically only unsubsidized.
For additional information, visit the Northern Arkansas College website.
