The master of arts in gerontology program provides professional education in the social and behavioral aspects of aging that prepares individuals to work with the aging population and aging programs. It focuses on aging as part of the normal process of living and as a sequence of coordinated and interrelated biological, intellectual, emotional, social, psychological, and societal processes. The curriculum includes both traditional classroom learning and hands-on internship experiences that meet the personnel needs of both public and private agencies. It interfaces with other graduate programs,

allowing students to develop multidisciplinary skills to enhance their careers in gerontology. For more information about the program visit this web site: http://www.ualr.edu/~ahmarks/admissions_criteria.htm

Students are eligible for the Certificate in Applied Gerontology. Certification requires 18 program hours and is available to students and professionals in related health care and service fields who desire a complement of gerontological skills.

An undergraduate-graduate continuum plan allows undergraduate students at UALR to begin the program during their senior year, applying up to 12 hours toward both degrees and completing their graduate work in less time. Interested students should begin consultations with their major department chairperson and the gerontology coordinator at least 30 hours before graduation.

· baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution, with a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.7 (4.0 scale) or 3.0 in the last 60 hours

· Graduate Record Examination, Miller Analogies Test, or similar examination scores

· two undergraduate gerontology courses or work experience in aging

· names, addresses and telephone numbers of three persons to contact for recommendations

Applicants who do not have prerequisite courses must take preparatory courses during their first year. Preparatory courses are:

Gerontology: Gerontology 2300 Introduction to Aging and the Elderly and a 4000-level gerontology course (selected other courses and some forms of professional experience may be accepted)

Statistics: Sociology 2381 Social Statistics and 2181 Statistics Laboratory

Research Methods: Sociology 3385 Research Methods and 3185 Research Methods Laboratory

· recommendation of the major department chairperson

· no more than 15 hours needed for graduation

· cumulative GPA of at least 2.7

· all major and minor course work completed (graduate program prerequisite course work may be taken with the first graduate courses)

· conditional admission to the gerontology graduate program

Students may earn the master of arts degree in rehabilitation of the blind: orientation and mobility combined with the UALR gerontology certificate, or the master of arts degree in gerontology combined with courses leading to national certification in rehabilitation of the blind: orientation and mobility. Advisement from and consent of the respective program coordinators are required for either combination.

Students may also earn the master of arts in gerontology combined with the master of social work. The student must complete the application process for each program; letters of recommendation and test scores, as well as transcripts, may be submitted as copies as long as one of the student’s folders contains the original documents. Advisement from and consent of the respective program coordinators are required.

The gerontology degree requires 36 graduate credit hours, including 24 core hours, six field work or thesis hours, and six elective hours. Up to 12 5000-level hours may be applied to degree requirements with approval of the program coordinator. A portfolio may be required.

The Certificate in Applied Gerontology requires 18 core hours, selected in consultation with the advisor. It is not a terminal degree, and students are encouraged to continue for the MA after qualifying for the certificate.

Fieldwork courses (8310, 8320) are a practical application and expansion of knowledge and skills learned in other courses. In consultation with their advisors, students arrange to work under professional supervision in an agency or institution that provides an appropriate learning context and experience. These courses are usually taken when all core courses are completed and are graded credit/no credit.

With their advisors’ approval, students may choose to take six hours of thesis (8630) in lieu of fieldwork. These students complete and orally defend a written thesis on a subject chosen in consultation with their advisors. Thesis hours are usually graded credit/no credit.

After all courses are completed, students consult with their advisors about the comprehensive exam. Exam procedures are available from the gerontology faculty. The examining committee consists of the student’s advisor, another graduate gerontology faculty member, and a faculty member from another discipline if the subject warrants it. When appropriate, additional members may be appointed as approved by the student’s advisor.

Conditional students must earn a 3.0 cumulative GPA on the first 12 hours, including at least six core hours.

7310 Social Gerontology

7320 Biology and Psychology of Aging

7330 Aging and Social Policy

7340 Social Geriatrics

7350 Research Practicum

7360 Microcomputers and Statistical Analysis

7370 Program Evaluation

7380 Assessment and Case Management

5315 Interdisciplinary Health Care of the Elderly

5336 Social Aspects of Death and Dying

5346 Family in Late Life

5385 Topics Seminar

Two courses, approved by advisor, from the graduate programs in social work, health services administration, business administration, or public administration

8310 Field Work I and

8320 Field Work II or

8630 Thesis

A limited number of graduate assistantships are available. Contact the program coordinator for information.

· cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 on an approved program of study as outlined above

· complete a satisfactory student portfolio

· successful completion of field work or written thesis and oral defense

Health care components, team-taught, with segments presented by faculty from numerous fields; includes clinical considerations, social gerontology, processes of aging, communication disorders, dental problems, medication, psychology, nutrition, preventive health care, radiography.

Prerequisite: graduate standing. Death, dying, and bereavement in contemporary society; emphasis on practical application of knowledge in the field of practitioners dealing with death, dying, bereavement.

Prerequisite: graduate standing. Family life of the elderly; includes late-life marital relationships; widowhood, living alone; relations with children, grandchildren, siblings, other kin; alternative, innovative lifestyles; neglect, abuse of the elderly; demographic, structural changes in family, society that affect these matters; core concept is the family as a natural support system for the elderly, its potential and limitations in a context of community support networks.

Prerequisite: consent of instructor. Topics of critical interest in aging field, such as social security, legislation, targeted programs, clinical and research developments, life-span developmental issues.

Prerequisite: graduate standing. Normal process of senescence (as opposed to pathological accompaniments of aging due to stress, disease, trauma); focus on sociological theories of aging, social consequences of demographic and epidemiological processes in an aging society.

Consequences of normal aging processes (distinguished from age-related disease processes), extension of life expectancy; interrelationship of biology, behavior; age-related physiological/anatomical changes that affect health; epidemiological studies of disease and aging; psychosocial, cognitive factors of aging and memory of learning, psychopathology affecting mental health.

Prerequisite: graduate standing. Policy creation process, problem analysis as they bear on aging, the elderly; political organization of the elderly, their participation in national, state, local policy processes; leading organizations exerting influence in age-related matters; techniques of policy advocacy on behalf of the elderly; substantive policy issues such as retirement, income security, health care, institutionalization, housing, community services.

Health needs of the elderly, health-care systems that address them; mechanisms for health-care delivery and for financing institutional and community-based care; effects for elderly of reform proposals.

Prerequisite: graduate standing, statistics and research methods courses or consent of instructor. Integration of research formulation, conceptualization, measurement, sampling design, and statistical analysis related to primary and secondary research. Student examines problems related to attitudinal, behavioral, ecological research by doing actual research projects.

Prerequisite: graduate standing, statistics and research methods courses or consent of instructor. (Intermediate course for entering graduate students.) Statistical techniques; includes regression, factor, path analysis; analysis of variance; calculating, interpreting statistics in research setting.

Prerequisite: graduate standing, social or behavioral research methods course or consent of instructor (recommended but not required: statistics course including Analysis of Variance). Methodologies essential to comprehensive program review; emphasis on program evaluation, program impact assessment, writing effective reports; methods, case materials focus on particular aspects of programs for the elderly.

Prerequisites: graduate standing, statistics and social or behavioral research methods courses or consent of instructor. Methodologies essential to planning, management, and evaluation of human service programs; emphasis on client assessment, community needs assessment and resource inventory, program impact assessment, program evaluation; includes issues of program design and reorganization based on data generated by these methods; requires writing program recommendations, research report.

Prerequisites: 18 graduate hours, consent of advisor.

Prerequisites: 18 graduate hours, consent of advisor.

Prerequisites: 24 graduate hours; consent of advisory committee. Scholarly investigation; primary or secondary analysis of data pertinent to student’s specialization track.

The master of health services administration program prepares students for careers as administrators or staff in health organizations, institutions, and agencies involved in the provision, financing, insuring, or regulation of health care. The curriculum is structured in developmental sequences, with each semester’s work building on the previous courses. A required summer experiential course provides valuable real world experience in a health care organization that fits the student’s career path. Also, the program assists students in obtaining a one-year, post-degree fellowship.

The program is accredited by the Accrediting Commission on Education for Health Services Administration and is a full member of the Association of University Programs in Health Administration. For more information, visit the UALR health services administration web site at http://www.ualr.edu/~hsadmin .

· baccalaureate degree from accredited institution, with a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.75 (4.0 scale), or 3.0 in the last 60 hours

· combined score of at least 1,500 on the verbal, analytical, and quantitative sections of the general Graduate Record Examination, or 550 on the Graduate Management Admissions Test verbal and quantitative sections

· resumé with two contact references

· 500-700 word statement outlining reasons for seeking master’s degree, previous work experience, career goals and objectives

· interview with program faculty

Applicants should provide these materials as soon as possible, and no later than the end of the spring semester. The faculty interview is scheduled after all application materials are received and criteria are satisfied. The admission decision is made after the interview.

The curriculum begins in the fall semester; however, spring admission is possible.

The health services administration degree requires 51 graduate credit hours, including 39 core hours, three administrative residency or directed study hours, and nine elective hours. Electives may be taken in the program or from other UALR graduate programs.

The summer administrative residency involves up to three months of paid, full-time work in a health institution or agency and provides practical experience with the theories, concepts, and administrative skills learned in the first academic year (24 credit hours). The directed study requires analysis of a major ongoing administrative problem defined by the chief executive officer of a health institution or agency.

Both courses are held during the summer. Full-time students usually enroll in the residency, and part-time students and students with extensive health systems work experience usually choose to do the directed study.

The program is designed for completion in two years full time or three-and-one-half years part time. Graduates are encouraged to take advantage of post-degree administrative fellowships.

7301 The Health Care System

7302 Health Administration

7303 Health Administration Residency or 7304 Directed Studies in Health Administration

7305 Introduction to Health Systems Financial Management

7306 Decision Analysis in Health Administration

7307 Seminar in Health Systems Policy and Decision Making

7308 Health Law

7309 Health Statistics and Information Systems for Decision Making

7310 Health Planning Systems

7311 Health Economics

7312 Epidemiology for Health Administrators

7313 Health Information Systems

8311 Seminar in Health Services Human Resource Management

8330 Advanced Health Systems Financial Management

9 hours of electives

One-year Administrative Fellowship

· cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 on an approved program of study as outlined above

· successful completion of administrative fellowship or directed study

Possible topics include computer and information systems in health care, reimbursement and insurance, rural health care systems, total quality management, managed care, health maintenance organizations, risk management, multi-institutional systems, negotiations.

System wide issues related to U.S. health care delivery; includes organizational arrangements, financing, health status issues, insurance, manpower, cost, quality, access, regulatory issues.

Administrative practices in health organizations; includes governmental agencies, health care institutions, community clinics; emphasis on administrative structure, roles of professionals and staff, health policy applicable to each.

Prerequisite: 24 program hours. Up to three months work experience under a qualified health administrator in a health institution or agency; includes selected field projects, written reports.

Prerequisite: 24 program hours. Directed study of an existing administrative problem defined by a health institution or agency official.

Basic financial principles, practices as applied to health institution, agency administration; emphasis on cost, third-party reimbursement systems; working capital management; capital investment; risk management.

Prerequisite: Health Services Administration 7309. Quantitative decision techniques in health service institution, agency operation; includes deterministic and stochastic analysis, forecasting, control and information systems.

Prerequisite: 36 program hours. Policy, decision-making process in health institutions, agencies; uses case studies.

Principles, practices of law affecting health institution, medical practice administration; emphasis on legal aspects of patient care, treatment; torts, contractual obligations; labor law; rights, obligations of governing boards, medical staff, employees.

Major statistical and computerized data systems used in health care delivery systems management; emphasis on decision-making applications of descriptive and inferential statistical techniques using computer-assisted analysis.

Prerequisite: Health Services Administration 7301, 7302, or consent of instructor. History, development of community health planning; analysis of state, federal planning systems; planning techniques, strategic planning for health institutions.

Prerequisite: Health Services Administration 7309. Basic concepts in economic theory, analysis as applied to health care delivery systems; emphasis on demand for health services; hospitals, physicians as economic models; production functions in health care; reimbursement systems; health insurance; competitive forces in health care marketplace.

Prerequisite: Health Services Administration 7309. Epidemiological methods; emphasis on application to health administration program settings; vital statistics, biostatistics, computer-based epidemiological analysis techniques; lectures supplemented with case study discussions.

Prerequisites: Health Services Administration 7302 and 7310 or consent of instructor. Hospital organization, management; emphasis on administration, medical staff, trustee relationships.

Prerequisite: Health Services Administration 7302 or consent of instructor. Variety of situations, techniques involved in health care institutions’ human resources management; includes ethics, recruitment, training and development, grievance procedures, wage and salary administration, affirmative action, labor unions, professional credentials.

Prerequisites: Health Services Administration 7302 and 7310 or Marketing 7300 or consent of instructor. Application of marketing framework to health care organizations; applicable market research techniques; design, development of health care organization marketing plan.

Prerequisite: Health Services Administration 7302 or consent of instructor. Organization, administration of ambulatory care delivery systems; emphasis on HMOs, medical group management, hospital-based ambulatory care systems, health clinics.

Prerequisite: Health Services Administration 7305 or consent of instructor. In depth discussion and understanding of selected topics related to financial management in a health services setting. The material will be covered through instructor lectures and case analyses/presentations.

Prerequisite: Health Services Administration 7302 or consent of instructor. Organization, administration of long-term care delivery systems; emphasis on nursing home administration, home health programs, hospice management.

Prerequisite: Health Services Administration 7301. Methodology for comparative analysis of organization, financing of international health care delivery systems; examines such systems in at least 12 developed, developing countries using the comparative framework.

Engineering Technology and Applied Science, 125; 569-3247

The master of science degree in integrated science and mathematics is designed to serve several populations of graduate students whose interests and needs for professional development transcend traditional disciplinary boundaries. The program gives the student the opportunity to combine graduate courses from many departments within the College of Science and Mathematics, allowing them to design a program to suit their needs. Courses address the challenges and methods of study in such areas as environmental science, forensic sciences, integrated natural and life sciences, and mathematics disciplines. Students pursuing this degree will be able to construct a variety of rigorous, innovative, and non-traditional interdisciplinary programs.

Students in this program come from a variety of undergraduate fields including biology, chemistry, environmental health sciences, earth sciences-geology, physics, and mathematics. Professionals currently employed in environmental sciences, medical research support, forensic science, and others who are interested in integrating the sciences would particularly benefit from this degree.

· official copies of all transcripts

· GPA of at least 2.75 overall

· three letters of reference

· GRE taken within the last five years

The MSISM degree combines writing, thinking, and analyzing skills with study of specialized knowledge in several science disciplines and mathematics. The program requires 36 semester hours of graduate course work. Students will take 24 semester credit hours of graduate level work which emphasize the interdisciplinary content in at least two of the following traditional disciplines:

· Biology,

· Chemistry,

· Environmental Health Science,

· Geology-Earth Science,

· Physics and Astronomy,

· Mathematics.

Another 12 hours consist of integrated studies which vary depending upon the option and form of the individual student’s program. Six of the 24 hours may be from outside the College of Science and Mathematics.

The College of Information Science and Systems Engineering, including the Department of Applied Science, provides appropriate graduate level course work and support for students pursuing the MS in integrated science and mathematics.

Students seeking professional development in the environmental sciences will take six hours in environmental regulations and management and six hours of mentored project or thesis following their course work for their capstone. Other options - combinations of sciences and mathematics - require that students take integrated courses early in their programs and a project (non-thesis option) or thesis at the culmination of their program.

A six-credit-hour project or thesis is required of all degree candidates. The individual program advisor will recommend which option is right for optimizing the student’s educational goals. A professional assessment is required of all degree candidates as well.

All undergraduate work will be assessed prior to acceptance into a degree program and deficiencies will be defined at that time. All deficiencies must be removed before students progress into the program.

A list of courses in integrated science (INTS) with descriptions is provided below. Course listings and descriptions for earth science, environmental science, and physics are found in the "Non-program Courses" section in this Catalog. For a list of available courses in biology, chemistry, and applied science, please visit the "Master of Science in Biology" the "Master of Science and Master of Arts in Chemistry", and the "Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy in Applied Science" sections in this Catalog.

Prerequisite: At least 16 hours of science. This course incorporates lecture, laboratory work, and field methods to stress the learning of science as an active, integrated constructive process that involves experimentation, investigation, communication, reasoning and problem solving as they apply to life, earth and physical systems. Three hours of lecture per week and two hours of laboratory per week.

Prerequisites: variable, depending on instructor and course content. Courses will cover topics that draw from two or more scientific disciplines and that can be best taught from an integrated perspective. Credit and laboratory/lecture format vary depending on the topic. One hour of credit per one hour of lecture; one hour of credit per two-three hours of laboratory.

Prerequisite: consent of the instructor. Laboratory-based; stresses the learning of science as active, integrated, constructive processes involving experimentation, investigation, communication, reasoning, and problem solving; show connections and relevant applications in life systems, earth systems, and physical systems; goals include helping teachers extend content learning and create successful learning environments for every student through use of manipulatives, calculators, science equipment, and various learning strategies; provides access to appropriate materials, equipment, and technology. Two hours of lecture and two hours of laboratory per week. F,S,Su

Under the supervision of the student’s major advisor, along with the graduate advisory committee, the student will carry out original research to support his thesis. May be taken for a maximum of six hours.

The master of arts in interpersonal and organizational communication (IOC) program provides understanding and development of communicative behaviors necessary to function effectively in all areas of today’s business and professional world. It includes effective communication skills such as public speaking,

interviewing, and small group communication. The curriculum provides a strong knowledge base grounded in communication theory and its various applications, such as managerial communication, human resource training and development, relational communication, etc.

The degree can be used to enhance most career fields and is particularly suited to students wishing to apply the knowledge and skills of effective communication to the human resources field. An undergraduate background in speech is helpful, but not required. For more information, please visit the program’s web site at http://www.ualr.edu/~spchcomm/grad.html.

· baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution, with a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.7 (4.0 scale) or 3.0 in the last 60 hours

· score of at least 1,000 on two of the Graduate Record Examination’s three sections or at least 40 on the Miller Analogies Test

· two letters of recommendation (send to program coordinator)

· 18 speech communication hours or Speech 7390 (a preparatory three-hour summer course)

Admission materials are due in the Graduate School by April 1.

The interpersonal and organizational communication degree requires either 33 or 36 credit hours, depending on the final project selected (Speech 8300 Internship, Speech 8301 Master’s Research Paper or Speech 8602 Master’s Thesis). Students must also pass a written comprehensive examination. Courses are set up sequentially, and students must begin the program in the fall semester and progress through the courses in sequence. Up to six approved credit hours may be transferred into the program. The program is offered on a part-time basis only and course work can be completed in two calendar years.

A final project is also required. The term during which this requirement is fulfilled should be determined by the student and his/her advisor.

A limited number of graduate assistantships are available. Contact the program coordinator for information.

· cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 on an approved program of study as outlined above

· successful completion and defense of internship, master’s paper, or thesis

· successful completion of the comprehensive exam

Prerequisite: SPCH 1300, 4300. This course addresses the applied role of communication research methods in a variety of contemporary organizations. Topics include the research process, both quantitative and qualitative research approaches, as well as questions of research ethics. The focus is on identifying the practical applications of research methods for organizational members.

Prerequisite: SPCH 1300, or consent of the instructor. This course examines organizational communication theories, communicative implications of historical and modern management theories, as well as special interest topics. Major topics include cultural and critical approaches to organizational communication, classical management and human relations theory, and communication effectiveness. Special topics may include teams in organizations, diversity, organizational politics, leadership, and change. The focus is on applying organizational communication theories and concepts to understand others better and to control one’s own communication in organizations. Three credit hours.

Prerequisite: SPCH 1300. This course examines culture as it influences human interaction in a wide range of contexts, including work, medical, interpersonal, and political. Topics include culture shock, language, nonverbal, intercultural conflict, and culture and the media. The focus is on using major intercultural communication theories and concepts, as well as in-class activities to develop a heightened awareness of intercultural issues, as well as intercultural communication competence. Three credit hours.

Prerequisite: SPCH 1300. This course investigates timely communication theories, skills, and practices. Topics may be selected from a variety of theoretical or practical perspectives. The focus is on an in-depth treatment of a content area not typically represented in other courses in the major. This course may be repeated for credit. Three credit hours.

Prerequisite: SPCH 5311. This seminar addresses special topics in organizational communication. Course topics may include organizational identification, risk and issue management, organizational change, or critical approaches to organizational communication. The focus is giving students an in-depth understanding of a specialized aspect of organizational communication. Three credit hours.

Prerequisites: graduate standing, consent of instructor. (For non-IOC graduate students.) Concepts of human interaction as a basis for developing interpersonal communication skills; framework for personal growth in one-to-one interaction, small group dynamics, leadership roles, other interpersonal relationships.

Corequisite: SPCH 7321. Basic theoretical approaches to human communication; includes symbolic interactionism, systems, rules, linguistics, relational, rhetorical theories. F

Corequisite: SPCH 7341. Influence of contexts on various theories of interpersonal communication; each theory is evaluated, placed in a relational context, considered for its applications to personal, professional interaction. F

Corequisite: SPCH 7332. Systems study of small group formation, maintenance, performance; special attention to problem solving in groups. S

Intercultural factors influencing human interaction; how cultures, subcultures interact verbally, nonverbally; how communication patterns are inherently culturally determined. Su

Topics vary; chosen for interest, needs of current class; may include in-depth study of topics from earlier courses. On demand

Corequisite: SPCH 7301. Theoretic overview of organizational communication; includes communication flow, networks, organizational relationships, groups, conflict, language. F

Corequisite: SPCH 7351. How communication contributes to overall organizational culture, productivity, satisfaction. S

Corequisite: SPCH 7311. Methods used to assess communication behavior in organizations, prepare intervention techniques, evaluate communication effectiveness. S

Prerequisite: 15 program hours. Co-requisite: SPCH 7302. Role of applied behavioral research methods in developing effective communication in organizations; focus on use of organization development theories to change the way people in organizations communicate. F

Corequisite: SPCH 7322. Communication skills needed by supervisors, managers; focus on conflict management, interview skills (selection, performance appraisal, discipline, information gathering); includes theory, research, applied projects. S

Development, delivery of a training project; student prepares and presents an intervention for a specific organizational communication problem. Su

Prerequisite: program admission or consent of instructor. (Prerequisite course for entering students with fewer than 18 undergraduate speech hours; does not count toward degree requirements.) Speech communication theories, terminology; program writing, speaking responsibilities; emphasis on research skills necessary for the field. Su

Urban-related practical job experience; students apply theoretical knowledge, develop interpersonal and organizational communication skills, meet regularly to share experiences, write a paper related to experiences. F,S,Su

Students apply theoretical knowledge to an action research project, dealing with the identification of a need in an organization and the implementation and evaluation of an intervention to meet that need. F,S,Su

Prerequisite: successful completion of written comprehensive examinations. Preparation of an appropriate original investigation demonstrating knowledge and methods of scholarship. F,S,Su

Stabler Hall 310, 569-3250

The master of arts in journalism program provides professional writing and research competencies for a wide range of media, communications and related fields, and doctoral study. It focuses on a continuing inquiry into the theory and practice of mass communication (broadcast media, print media, and the public relations profession) and its relationships, both past and present, with other social institutions. It also provides an understanding and appreciation of the social role of the mass media.

The program is open to journalists and to those without a journalism background. Students work with an advisor to chart a program of study to meet individual goals of professional advancement or personal enrichment.

The journalism program provides computerized news writing and editing laboratories. Courses are offered evenings and early mornings for the convenience of the working professional. Please visit the program’s web site for more details, http://www.ualr.edu/~jndept/gmain.html.

· baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution, with a grade point average of at least 2.7 (4.0 scale) on the last 60 hours of undergraduate credit

· letter outlining professional goals

· two letters of recommendation from persons who can evaluate the applicant’s abilities

A completed Application for Admission and official transcript(s) from the institution(s) awarding the last 60 undergraduate semester hours, all graduate hours, and all degrees must be submitted to the UALR Graduate School. If these transcripts do not show all hours earned in journalism or mass communication, additional transcripts with this information must be sent to the journalism program coordinator. The letters of recommendation and the applicant’s letter outlining professional goals should be sent to the journalism program coordinator. The program admissions committee weighs the transcript(s), and evidence of professional competence or potential in evaluating each applicant. Students whose application materials do not satisfy regular admission requirements may submit scores from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) as supplemental information to be considered by the departmental admissions committee.

The journalism program offers three options: thesis, nonthesis, and professional. A comprehensive project and at least 30 weeks of study at UALR are required of all students. Each student’s program is subject to an advisor’s approval.

All courses usually are taken in the journalism program. However, up to nine approved cognate graduate hours may be taken in other departments. In some instances, courses from another department can form a concentration area. Only six hours with grades of C can count toward the degree.

Students who have not studied journalism at the undergraduate level or who do not have sufficient professional journalism experience to master basic news writing, reporting, and editing skills will be required to successfully complete any or all of the following courses for undergraduate credit:

2350 Techniques of Writing for the Mass Media

3320 Reporting Principles

or, for graduate credit, two of the following courses:

5350 Editing, Design, and Production

5358 Reporting of Public Affairs

5359 Magazine Journalism

Thesis Option: requires 30 graduate credit hours, including 7305, and the student’s choice between 7335 or 7340, at least 6 additional 7000-level hours, and a 6-hour thesis with oral defense (Journalism 8000).

Nonthesis Option: requires 30 graduate credit hours, including Journalism 7305, the student’s choice between 7335 or 7340, and at least 12 additional 7000-level hours.

Professional Option: requires 33 graduate credit hours, including Journalism 7305, the student’s choice between 7335 or 7340, at least 9 additional 7000-level hours, and an approved professional project (Journalism 7180, 7280, 7380).

Up to six graduate hours with grades of B or better may be transferred from an accredited institution, if approved by the Department of Journalism.

All materials submitted by students as assignments in writing, reporting, editing, photography, and electronic news gathering classes are subject to broadcast or publication. The program uses a variety of electronic and print media outlets, including its own statewide news service.

A limited number of graduate assistantships are available. Contact the program coordinator for information.

· earn a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 on an approved course of study as outlined above

· complete the comprehensive project

· successfully complete and orally defend a thesis, if applicable

· Students who do not achieve a 3.0 GPA within the required hours may complete up to six additional hours approved by the coordinator. If the average is not then at least 3.0 the student may not continue in the program.

Organizational, business aspects of journalism; emphasis on departmental management, interrelation of advertising and circulation in financing. On demand

Prerequisite: consent of instructor. Decision-making in the editing process; principles of typography, publication design, printing processes; use of computers to design camera-ready materials for publication. Su

Restrictions, obligations, responsibilities of the press; the law and its effect on publishing and broadcasting; relation between the law and freedoms protected by the U.S. Constitution. F

Broadcast news policies; history; governmental, other forms of regulation; social implications; influence of various publics on radio-television news coverage. On demand

Prerequisite: consent of instructor. Practice in gathering material, writing in-depth stories on public affairs; emphasis on courts, government, education, ecology, the economy, social issues. Materials submitted as assignments are subject to publication. S

Prerequisite: consent of instructor. Writing magazine nonfiction articles; free-lance marketing procedures. On demand

Media’s comment function, policies, problems. On demand

Journalistic ethics and practices; professional conduct, responsibilities of the journalist in a free society. On demand

Prerequisite: consent of instructor. Journalistic function in public relations; writing, processing of news, feature releases for print, electronic media; editing internal, external publications. On demand

Prerequisite: consent of a graduate faculty member. Individual work on selected problems in journalism. F,S,Su

Prerequisite: consent of a graduate faculty member. Individual readings of selected works in mass communication. F,S,Su

Structure, theory, processes, effects of mass communication, mass media in the U.S.; relationships of media to one another, to other major institutions in U.S. society, to individuals and groups. F

Comparison, contrast of mass media around the world; interaction between media and governments; role of media in the development of nations; international communication theories, models. On demand

Review and assessment of writings, primarily books, concerning various aspects of journalism to provide a familiarization with and understanding of the body of literature pertaining to the discipline. S

Interaction between press and institutionalized propaganda; theory, practice of persuasive campaigns created and implemented by political, religious, commercial institutions; strategy and media use for creating public opinions and issues, candidates, products, policies. On demand

Prerequisite: Journalism 4352/5352 or equivalent. Pinpoints research procedures and provides incentive, direction, and a forum for examining topics in mass communication law; treats specific problems by examining statutory confines and court interpretations. S

Prerequisite: Journalism 7310 or equivalent. Methodological approaches to the study of mass communication structure, processes, effects; emphasis on survey and experimental research procedures and content analysis. On demand

Historiography as applied in the field of journalism history; analysis of and practice in the scholarly writing of journalism history; selected topics in journalism history. F

Prerequisite: successful completion of comprehensive examination. A scholarly work, based on research, that advances an original point of view in the discipline of journalism. Variable credit of one to six hours. F,S,Su

Stabler Hall 407, 569-3312

The master of arts in liberal studies (MALS) is an interdisciplinary approach to university studies. It combines the development of critical thinking and writing abilities with the study of specialized knowledge in at least two complementary disciplines. Students pursuing the MALS degree choose program emphases and design a unique curriculum in consultation with the MALS graduate program coordinator.

The MALS program is housed in the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences (CAHSS). The Departments of Art, English, History, International and Second Language Studies, Music, Political Science, Psychology, Rhetoric and Writing, and Sociology, Anthropology, and Gerontology all offer courses that may be used for the primary content block within the MALS degree. Geography, Philosophy, and Theater offer courses that may be used for the secondary block. The curriculum may include up to nine hours of coursework from departments outside the CAHSS.

The MALS degree is designed for persons who wish to continue their liberal education at the graduate level, or to add breadth to a more specialized undergraduate degree. The communication skills, critical thinking skills, and interdisciplinary breadth gained in the program are both valuable in themselves and attractive to a wide range of employers. For more information, visit the program’s web site at http://www.ualr.edu/~philosophy/MALS.html.

No more than six credit hours of appropriate graduate course work taken at another institution may be transferred into the program. The MALS graduate coordinator will determine whether or not graduate courses taken at UALR prior to admission to the program will count towards the 36 hours required.

The degree requires 36 credit hours of graduate course work. The requirements are as follows:

7301 Introduction to Liberal Studies

7390 Liberal Studies Colloquium

Courses in one CAHSS discipline -15 hours

Courses in one or two other disciplines - 9 hours

Thesis/Final Project - 6 hours

Total - 36 hours

The configuration of the MALS degree program allows for a wide variety of rigorous academic programs. The combination of one core discipline with the addition of courses in one or two adjunct areas allows not only for programs of great breadth, but interdisciplinary programs that bring a focus into a specific area. For example, curricula for programs in teaching English as a second language, art writing, and American studies have been developed for students in the MALS program. Interested students should contact the MALS coordinator to discuss the many options within the program.

The following examples are only two of the many options Liberal Studies student can choose. They are provided to demonstrate the variety that a degree in Liberal Studies provides. Keep in mind that these are only examples. Students can choose among courses listed in the Graduate Catalog, with no more than nine (9) hours taken outside the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences.

American Studies: This example consists of courses offered in the Departments of History, Political Science, and English. It was designed by a student in conjunction with the Liberal Studies program coordinator. In developing this curriculum, the student’s goal was to enhance his research and writing skills while studying the history, culture, politics, and literature of the Americas.

ENGL 5370. Seminar: Hemmingway and Faulkner

ENGL 5370. Seminar: Native American Literature

HIST 5306. History with Objects

HIST 7392. Seminar in Early America

HIST 7393. Seminar in 19th Century America

HIST 7396. Seminar in American Culture in the 1930s

POLS 5310. Seminar in American National Government

POLS 5320. American Foreign Policy

Health and Society: This sample was developed by the student and graduate coordinator in order to provide practical research in preparation for a career in medical humanities/social sciences or research in academic medicine.

HIST 7396 Seminar: Disease and Society

BIOL 5201 AIDS

GERO 5336 Social Aspects of Death and Dying

HIST 5312 Early History of Medicine

HSAD 7309 Health Statistics

PHIL 5380 Ethical issues in Health Care

PSYC 7330 Health and Stress

PSYC 7370 Health Psychology

The previous examples should serve as a guide only. Individual degree plans are developed according to each student’s needs. Please contact the Liberal Studies program coordinator to guide you in designing the degree plan appropriate to reaching your goals.

A limited number of graduate assistantships are available. Contact the program coordinator for information.

The MALS degree requires successful completion of an approved program of study (as outlined in "Program Requirements") and the final project or thesis.

Students will study interdisciplinary processes and concerns that apply to the liberal arts, including reading and thinking critically, making effective arguments, exploring research techniques, and writing effectively. Consciousness of historical relationships and ethical concepts will be stressed.

This course will allow the student to develop an interdisciplinary critical methodology that will be used to evaluate and constructively reform presentations from different disciplines. Argument forms, informal fallacies, and disciplinary and interdisciplinary presumptions will be examined. In addition, some of the basic skills necessary to present a persuasive argument in an interdisciplinary context will be addressed.

Students will complete six hours of thesis/final project course work as agreed upon by the student, the program coordinator, and the student’s thesis/final project committee.

Dickinson Hall 622, 569-8100

The master of science in mathematical sciences program provides advanced preparation for careers in private industry and government or for doctoral study. It is designed to accommodate full-time employees and can be completed in two years by including summer classes. Concentrations are offered in applied mathematics, applied statistics, computational sciences, and interdisciplinary mathematics. Computer labs are available with research-quality mathematical and scientific software. The program is continually adding to and updating its software and a number of courses in the program require computer use. Applied mathematics is critical to most areas of today’s highly technological workforce, and the master’s program is a passport to this exciting and expanding career field. For more information visit the mathematical sciences program web site at http://dms.ualr.edu/MS/.

Applicants lacking prerequisite classes must complete specified preparatory courses. Contact the program coordinator for details.

The mathematical sciences degree requires 33 graduate semester credit hours with a master’s research project or 36 graduate credit hours without the project, including 12 core hours, three research project hours or six alternate hours, nine hours of mathematical emphasis courses, nine hours from specialization, and written and oral comprehensive examination. In addition, the Graduate Record Examination general and mathematics sections must be taken during the first semester.

The written comprehensive examination covers material from the four core courses - MATH 7323 Advanced Numerical Analysis I, MATH 7350 Mathematical Statistics I, MATH 7311 Advanced Linear Algebra, and MATH 7322 Advanced Differential Equations. The oral comprehensive examination consists of a presentation from the student’s area of specialization and a question and answer session derived from the student’s course work.

MATH 7311 Advanced Linear Algebra

MATH 7322 Advanced Differential Equations

MATH 7323 Advanced Numerical Analysis I

MATH 7350 Mathematical Statistics I

A limited number of graduate assistantships are available. Contact the program coordinator for information.

These are four areas of specialization: Applied Mathematics, Applied Statistics, Computational Science, Interdisciplinary Mathematics.

This specialization requires 33 semester credit hours including the research project. In addition to the 12 hours of core courses listed above, the degree requires nine hours of mathematical emphasis courses, nine hours of elective courses, MATH 8300, and written and oral comprehensive examinations.

The applied mathematics emphasis courses are: MATH 7312 Computational Linear Algebra, MATH 7324 Advanced Numerical Analysis II, MATH 7325 Partial Differential Equations.

The approved electives are: MATH 5302 Complex Analysis, MATH 5308 Integral Transforms, MATH 7351 Mathematical Statistics II, MATH 7352 Mathematical Statistics III, MATH 7353 Linear and Nonlinear Regression, MATH 7354 Experimental Design, MATH 7355 Sampling Techniques, and MATH 7399 Selected Topics.

This program is designed to place students into an industry working as a statistician. In addition to the 12 hours of core courses listed above, the degree requires MATH 7351, 7352, and 7353, nine hours of courses in an area of emphasis, MATH 8300 or six hours of approved electives, and written and oral comprehensive examinations.

The approved statistics electives are MATH 7354 Experimental Design, MATH 7355 Sampling Techniques, MATH 7312 Computational Linear Algebra, and MATH 7399 Selected Topics.

The areas of emphasis are:

Health Services: HSAD 7309 Health Statistics and Information Systems, HSAD 7311 Health Economics, and HSAD 7312 Epidemiology for Health Administrators.

Signal Processing: ASCI 5340 Signal Processing I, ASCI 7311 Signal Processing II, and MATH 5308 Integral Transforms.

Quality Control: MATH 7399 Special Topics, MATH 7354 Experimental Design, and MATH 7355 Sampling Techniques.

This specialization requires 33 semester credit hours including the research project or 36 semester credit hours without the research project. In addition to the 12 hours of core courses listed above, the degree requires nine hours of mathematical emphasis courses, MATH 8300 or six hours of elective courses, nine hours of computer and information science courses, and written and oral comprehensive examinations.

The mathematical emphasis courses are: MATH 7312 Computational Linear Algebra, MATH 7324 Advanced Numerical Analysis II, and MATH 7325 Partial Differential Equations.

The approved electives are: MATH 7326 Optimization, MATH 7327 Graph Theory, MATH 7351 Mathematical Statistics II, MATH 7355 Sampling Techniques, MATH 7399 Selected Topic

The computer science courses are: CPSC 7312 Parallel Processing, CPSC 7321 Operating Systems, CPSC 7361 Computer Graphics, and CPSC 7383 Modeling and Simulation.

This specialization requires 33 semester credit hours including the research project or 36 semester credit hours without the research project. In addition to the 12 hours of core courses listed above, the degree requires nine hours of mathematical emphasis courses, MATH 8300 or six hours of elective courses, nine hours of courses from another department, and written and oral comprehensive examinations.

The mathematical emphasis courses are: MATH 5308 Integral Transforms, MATH 7312 Computational Linear Algebra, and MATH 7325 Partial Differential Equations.

The approved electives are: MATH 5302 Complex Analysis, MATH 7324 Advanced Numerical Analysis II, MATH 7352 Experimental Design, MATH 7355 Sampling Techniques, MATH 7351 Mathematical Statistics II, and MATH 7399 Selected Topics.

The areas of emphasis are:

Signal Processing: ASCI 5340 Signal Processing I, ASCI 7311 Signal Processing II, and ASCI 7309 Electronics for Scientists

Optics: PHYS 5380 Wave Motion and Optics, ASCI 7340 Applied Instrumental Optics, and ASCI 7341 Electro-Optics Instrumentation

Chemistry: CHEM 7371 Chemical Thermodynamics, CHEM 7372 Chemical Kinetics, and CHEM 7377 Selected Topics in Physical Chemistry.

Prerequisites: graduate standing, consent of instructor. Content varies; see semester schedule. One hour lecture per week for each hour of credit. On demand

Prerequisites: MATH 2307, 3312. Real number system, Euclidean n-space, complex numbers, topology of general metric spaces, continuous functions, point-wise and uniform convergence, series, the derivative. On demand

Prerequisite: grade of C or better in MATH 5303. Algebra of complex numbers, analytic functions, integration, power series, Laurent series, elementary conformal mappings. Three hours lecture per week.

Prerequisites: MATH 2307, 3312. Real number system, sequences, limits, continuity, metric spaces, convexity, derivatives, linear analysis, implicit function theorem.

Prerequisite: MATH 4303/5303. Measure theory, geometry of curves and surfaces, differential forms, Stoke’s theorem, and Green’s theorem.

Prerequisite: MATH 3322. Linear differential equations; Laplace transform; functions of complex variable, integration by method of residues, Laplace transform inversion integral; Z-transform, Z-transform inversion integral, difference equations; Fourier series, Fourier transform.

Prerequisites: MATH 2307 or equivalent, 3312 or equivalent; scientific programming language. Error analysis, solutions of equations, interpolation, approximations, numerical differentiation and integration, linear systems.

Prerequisite: MATH 3312. Vector spaces, subspaces, linear independence and dependence, basis and dimensions; linear transformations, null space, rank, isomorphism, inner product spaces, norms, inner products, orthogonal sets, orthogonal projections, bilinear and quadratic forms; eigen values and eigen vectors, similar matrices, diagonalization, symmetric and Hermitian matrices. Jordan canonical form. Three lecture hours per week.

Prerequisites; MATH 3312 and MATH 4323. LU decomposition; QR factorization; Iterative techniques for solving systems of equations, Gauss-Seidel; Eigen value problem, iterative and direct techniques, The Condition Number; Lanczos Algorithm. Three lecture hours per week.

Prerequisite: MATH 3322. Power series solutions, systems of differential equations, nonlinear ordinary differential equations, phase plane analysis, stability, differential equations and applications.

Prerequisites: MATH 4323, 7311. Numerical solutions of linear operator equations, some nonlinear systems, optimization methods.

Prerequisites: MATH 7323 and 7325. Numerical analysis of ordinary and partial differential equations. Three lecture hours per week.

Prerequisites; MATH 3322 or equivalent course. First order equations in two independent variables, the method of characteristics, discontinuous and weak solutions; Linear second order equations, elliptic equations, hyperbolic equations, parabolic equations; Fourier series. Three lecture hours per week.

Prerequisites: MATH 3312 and 3322 or equivalent courses. Linear and nonlinear programming. Three lecture hours.

Prerequisites; MATH 3312 or equivalent course. Graphs and subgraphs; trees; connectivity; Euler tours and Hamiltionian cycles; matchings; planar graphs; directed graphs; networks. Three lecture hours per week.

Probability measures, combinatorial theory, random variables, continuous and discrete distributions, expectations, moments, jointly distributed random variables, independence, functions of a random variable, limit theorems.

Sampling, sampling distributions, order statistics, point estimators and their properties, interval estimators and their properties, tests of hypotheses, linear models, nonparametric methods.

Prerequisites; MATH 7350. Multivariate distribution theory and quadratic forms; Linear models and least squares; Analysis of categorical data; Non-parametric statistics; Decision theory and Baysian inference. Three lecture hours per week.

Prerequisites; MATH 7350. Differentiation of vectors and matrices; random vectors and matrices; distribution theory; full rank linear regression models; non-linear regression models. Three lecture hours per week.

Prerequisites; MATH 7350 (may be taken as a corequisite with the consent of the instructor). Single factor experiments; Randomized blocks and Latin square designs; factorial designs; repeated measures; nested designs; response surfaces. Three lecture hours per week.

Prerequisites: MATH 7350 (may be taken as a corequisite with the consent of the instructor). Simple random sampling; sampling for proportions; stratified random sampling; ratio estimators; systematic random sampling; cluster sampling; acceptance sampling. Three lecture hours.

Prerequisite: consent of instructor. Topics in mathematics, applied mathematics, and numerical analysis may include discrete mathematics; ordinary, partial differential equations; integral transforms; complex variables; optimization techniques, linear algebra; approximation theory; topology; geometry; abstract algebra; number theory. Topics in statistics may include statistical inference, sampling, linear models, biostatistics, stochastic processes, statistical computing. May be repeated for credit when topic changes. On demand

Prerequisite: 18 graduate hours. Research and individual investigation on a topic in applied mathematics.

Library 502E, 569-3211

The public administration program is an integral part of the UALR Institute of Government, which houses several other units that provide internships, assistantships, and practical experience and networking opportunities.

Arkansas Public Administration Consortium is a collaboration of three universities (UALR, UofA Fayetteville, and Arkansas State University); coordinates statewide internship placement for public administration students; and administers the Certified Public Manager and Certified Volunteer Manager programs.

The Research Group conducts short-term and ongoing projects for all areas of state and local government and nonprofit organizations.

The master of public administration program provides professional management, analytical, and leadership skills, and the understanding of public policy issues needed for management and policy positions in national, state, regional, and local government, and the nonprofit sector. It is designed for both in-service and pre-service students and can be tailored to focus on individual professional goals and career areas.

The curriculum combines practical applications and scholarly knowledge to provide an understanding of the policy process and develop the specific skills needed by governmental and nonprofit managers, analysts, and policy-makers. The program’s position within the UALR Institute of Government and at the epicenter of state government offers unique opportunities for internships and other practical experiences. Visit the program’s web site for more information, http://www.ualr.edu/~iog/mpa.html.

Work in other graduate or professional programs will be considered in making admission decisions.

The public administration degree requires 36 graduate credit hours, including 21 core hours, 15 approved elective hours, and successful completion of a major applied project paper and oral presentation. Students are expected to complete all of the MPA core courses before enrolling in the course where the major applied research project is assigned.

Students without professional, managerial, or research experience in public administration are strongly urged to take a three-hour internship (8301 or 8302). Students considering pursuit of a doctoral degree are encouraged to take a six-hour thesis project (8000).

Conditional students must achieve a 3.0 GPA in their first 12 graduate hours, including six core hours.

7303 Public Organization Theory

7313 Human Resource Management in the Public Sector

7315 Methods in Public Administration

7323 Public Financial Administration

7332 Politics and Bureaucracy

7363 Public Policy Analysis

7373 Seminar in Public Administration

The MPA/JD joint program allows students to earn cross-credit for specified courses that may be applied toward the fulfillment of both degrees. By participating in the joint degree program, a student can eliminate 27 credit hours that are required if one pursues the degrees separately.

Students must obtain admission to both programs to receive cross-credit. Once admitted, students must submit a Declaration of Intent to Pursue Joint Degrees form, specifying which program they intend to pursue first. This form is available in the MPA program and the School of Law admissions offices. Students are not considered enrolled in the joint program until both programs receive a copy of the completed form.

Current MPA program students may enter the joint program by gaining admission to the UALR School of Law and submitting a completed Declaration of Intent to Pursue Joint Degrees form to each program prior to completing the MPA. Students currently pursuing a JD must apply for admission to the MPA program prior to receiving the JD. These students are not required to meet the GRE or MAT admission requirement for the MPA program. LSAT scores are used in lieu of those test scores.

Once students are admitted to both programs and the joint degree forms are on file in both offices, cross-credit for courses is earned according to the following conditions:

LAW 6203 Alternative Dispute Resolution

LAW 6256/6393 Civil Liberties

LAW 6257/6300 Communications Law

LAW 6259 Disability Law

LAW 6361 Employment Discrimination

LAW 6269 Land Use

LAW 6374 Legislation

LAW 6375 Local Government

LAW 6378 Poverty Law

LAW 6279 State and Local Taxation

LAW 6249 Workers’ Compensation

PADM 7353 Intergovernmental Relations

PADM 7332 Politics and Bureaucracy

PADM 7323 Public Financial Administration

PADM 7363 Public Policy Analysis

PADM 5353 Seminar in Public Budgeting

PADM 7385 Seminar in Public Policy

PADM 7339 State Administration and Reform

PADM 7335 Urban Management

PADM 7331 Urban Planning

A limited number of graduate assistantships may be awarded to students who have regular admission into the MPA program. Contact the program coordinator for information.

Similarities, differences in bureaucratic structures, processes; analysis of organization, staffing, role of administrative systems in contrasting social, cultural contexts of the western, nonwestern worlds.

Budgeting theory, practice; includes budgeting as allocations, process, games, rituals, history, politics; institutions, their roles in budgeting; current issues such as uncontrollability, balanced budgets, variance budgeting.

Theory, research of complex organizations, their management, administration; relevance, application of the approaches in terms of design, structure, function, processes, their interdependencies.

Policies, practices, issues of managing the human resource function in public organizations.

Gathering, analyzing data; includes research design, measurement, sampling, survey and evaluation research, coding, scale and index measurement, univariate, bivariate, and multivariate analysis.

Policies, concepts, practice, and analysis of public financial management issues and practices; introduction to the principles of public finance and the skills necessary for sound management of public sector financial resources. These principles include public budgeting, debt, investments, forecasting, tax administration, and intergovernmental fiscal transfers.

Seminar on selected topics.

Relationship of politics and administration; reference to the influence of legislative bodies, parties, interest groups, other forces on bureaucracy, formation and execution of public policy.

Theory, practice; distinctive challenges facing managers of public organizations; includes political context, effective leadership styles, building and maintaining motivated organizations, application of successful management techniques.

Practical, hands-on study of the concepts, strategies, and techniques of resource development in public and not-for-profit organizations; emphasis on formulation of needs and capacity studies, organization of goals and objectives, budget preparation, volunteer coordination, and outcomes evaluation.

Administration of urban governments in context of intergovernmental relations, limited resources, political compromise, competing citizen demands; emphasis on balancing economy and efficiency with equity concerns, especially in key policy decisions relating to quality of urban life.

Management issues unique to nonprofit sector; hands-on use of real-world examples, problems through selected readings, special projects; attention to managing volunteers, fundraising.

Theories, concepts; emphasis on applications to practical administrative problems.

Topical problems, issues from operational, theoretical perspectives; emphasis on political, legal, economic, social, environmental forces that shape the human resource function in public agencies.

Specialized needs of managing, reforming state government from comparative framework; emphasis on Arkansas.

Public managers today face increasingly complex ethical dilemmas, often having to weigh personal and professional values against current public opinion and the law. This course examines some of these inherent conflicts through the use of case studies to help provide a framework and process for resolving ethical issues in the public sector.

PADM 7335 recommended first. Project-driven study of urban government leadership and management in the context of community systems and collaboration. Focus on issues of regional cooperation, planning and service delivery, urban and suburban governments, and neighborhood and community development.

Selected aspects, such as relations between levels of government, American federalism, federal fiscal relations, comparative administration, emerging trends in intergovernmental relations.

Prerequisite: PADM 7315. Public policy evaluation with an emphasis on developing future policies using quantitative, qualitative techniques; includes research design, computer applications, evaluation research, substantive policy.

Prerequisite: 27 approved public administration hours with a minimum of 12 hours of core courses completed. Analysis, linkage of theories, concepts in public administration, policy; emphasis on applying research to practice of public administration. The major applied project paper and oral defense are completed during this course.

Prerequisite: Public Administration 7315 or consent of instructor. Techniques for evaluating how well public programs work and what sort of research is most helpful to managers who want to improve them; formal research design, process evaluations, and impact evaluations; final project requires the evaluation of public or non-profit program.

Public sector theories; techniques for analyzing policies; various substantive fields that may include health, energy, environment, other policy-making areas.

Legal aspects of the administrative process, effect of legal principles, processes on administrative decision making; emphasis on limitation of administrative discretion, judicial review of administrative decisions.

Prerequisites: 24 graduate hours; consent of coordinator. Preparation of a thesis demonstrating scholarship on some aspect of public administration, normally in-depth treatment of an applied management concern; must be approved by a thesis committee (chairperson and two faculty members selected by student with coordinator’s approval). Variable credit of one to six hours. Concurrent enrollment in final three to six hours with coordinator’s approval.

Prerequisites: 27 graduate hours; consent of coordinator. (For students with no public service background.) Practical, first-hand experience in government or nonprofit sector; usually requires four to six months full-time work in appropriate position, management paper reflecting professional and scholarly development.

Prerequisites: 27 graduate hours; consent of coordinator. (For students with no public service background.) Practical, first-hand experience in government or nonprofit sector; usually requires four to six months full-time work in appropriate position, management paper reflecting professional and scholarly development.

Stabler Hall 604E, 569-8395

The master of arts in public history program provides the historical content and applied research skills necessary to the study, management, and preservation of historical records and artifacts. It offers emphases in archives, museum studies, and historic preservation and restoration, or students may work with the program coordinator to design emphases to meet their career goals.

Public historians apply the skills and methods of history to museum, archival, or historical society work; neighborhood or community history projects; historic preservation and cultural resources management programs; and local, state, and federal government research projects.

The curriculum has three basic components: a core segment with internship and thesis, traditional history segment, and applied segment. Applied segment courses include hands-on experience with a variety of local historical organizations and are taught by professionals in the field. The program’s web site, found at http://www.ualr.edu/~history/pubhis.htm, provides more detailed information.

Transfer Credit: Up to six hours of equivalent courses in history, an approved applied area, or suitable general electives may be transferred from other accredited institutions, with approval of the program coordinator and Graduate School dean. Credit may not be applied to History 7311, 7315, 7391, 7398, or 7699.

Special students may take program courses, with recommendation of the program coordinator, and may later apply the credit to the program if admitted.

The public history degree requires 39 graduate credit hours, including 21 core hours, nine traditional history hours, nine applied hours, and thesis defense. Core hours include three hours of internship and six hours of thesis with an oral defense. Up to 12 5000-level hours may be taken. Courses must have grades of B or better to count toward the degree.

The applied segment offers emphases in archives, museum studies, and historic preservation and restoration. At least six of the nine applied hours must be in one of these emphases, with the remaining three hours selected in consultation with the program coordinator. Students may, with the coordinator’s approval, design an individual plan of study in this segment.

The oral exam covers the thesis. The examining committee, appointed by the Graduate School dean on recommendation of the program coordinator, includes at least the student’s thesis advisor, a history faculty member, and a member of the UALR faculty at large.

Conditional students must complete six hours, including History 7311 and 7315, with grades of B or better. These grades count toward admission requirements; courses may not be repeated to achieve the grade requirement.

7311 Introduction to Public History

7315 Seminar in Historical Methods

7316 History Thesis Seminar

7391 Seminar in Public History

7398 Internship

7699 Thesis

5305 Environmental History

5315 Religious History of the United States

5396 Seminar in Arkansas History

7392 Seminar in Early America

7393 Seminar in 19th-Century America

7394 Seminar in 20th-Century America

7395 Special Problems in History

7396 Seminar in History

7320 Archival Management

7321 Archival Conservation

7330 History Museum Administration

7331 Historical Interpretation in Museums of History

7341 Historic Preservation and Restoration

Art History 5309 A History of Arkansas Architecture

5306 History with Objects

5307 History with Objects II

7352 Historical Parks Planning and Development

7360 Historical Editing: An Introduction

7370 Oral History

7380 Directed Study in Public History

A limited number of graduate assistantships are available to students enrolled for nine hours. Contact the program coordinator for more information.

Students who do not achieve a 3.0 GPA in the 39 hours may take up to nine additional hours of approved courses to raise their GPA.

Applying statistical analysis, computer technology to research history; includes current scholarship, appropriate quantitative techniques, using quantitative methods to solve research-type problems.

Humanity’s interrelationship with the natural environment through historic times; emphasis on historical factors relating to current environmental problems.

Techniques of identification, authentication, and evaluation of artifacts grouped as decorative arts (furniture, ceramics, glass, silver, base metals, and textiles) as a background for understanding the role that objects played in daily life in 18th- and 19th-Century America; manner in which different disciplines (art history, archaeology, and history) regard artifacts. F, even years

Interplay between changing methods of production and the rising tide of consumption in 18th- and 19th-century America; Consumer Revolution in England and America; changes in the organization of labor and its effect on production in early America; rise of the factory system; role of objects as commodities. S, odd years

Development of Protestantism including evangelicalism, new denominations, and fundamentalism; incorporation of Catholicism and Judaism into mainstream; relationship between religion and social and political issues including church and state; minority religious beliefs and organizations; varying role of men and women in religious organizations Three credit hours.

Discussion, directed readings, research, writing on selected issues. Topics vary each semester; may be repeated once with new topic.

History, philosophy, purposes of historical agencies; archives; museum organization, operation; cultural resource management; relationship of historians and business community; historians as consultants; professional ethics.

Basic skills, techniques for historical research; models for use, interpretation of evidence; problem of historical causation; bibliography, techniques for defining, focusing research projects; steps in research planning, design, presentation.

Prerequisite: History 7315. Open only to students in the public history program or by permission of instructor. Planning, research, and writing for the thesis requirement. Students will choose thesis topic, design an appropriate research methodology, conduct research, and write an element of their theses.

Techniques of managing contemporary archives; includes methods of document preservation, organization of manuscripts and archival records, administrative systems, philosophy of archival control; experience with actual collections.

Restoration of historical books, documents; includes conservation fundamentals, paper repair methods, book restoration, basic bookbinding techniques; experience with actual collections.

Theoretical, practical aspects; includes purpose of museums, their intellectual and ethical responsibilities, organizational problems inherent in pursuit of these aims.

History, functions of historical museums; focus on role as research and educational institutions; includes possibilities, problems of interpreting history for the general public; joint research on a specific problem with local museum staff.

Definition, rationale, methods, techniques of preservation; problems of restoration, preservation of historic spaces, buildings; national, state preservation law, agencies; case studies; site surveys; field trips to preservation projects.

Discussions, directed readings, research, writing on issues related to planning, development of historic parks; includes identifying and protecting historical resources, land use, staffing requirements, long- and short-term planning, governmental policy, funding, other topics.

History of historical journal, documents editing, publishing historical materials.

Innovative approach to teaching and learning of history; emphasis on creation, processing, curating, use of oral history materials.

Prerequisites: consent of coordinator and, if applicable, supervisory agency. Student chooses to do either a practicum with a local agency or assigned readings and research on issues involving public history. Topics vary each semester.

Prerequisites: History 5303, 7311, 7315. (Open only to students in the program.) Directed readings, research on specialized topics in public history; concentrates on skills basic to all public history specialization areas, team-research experience.

Discussion, directed readings, research, writing on selected issues. Topics vary each semester; may be repeated once with new topic.

Discussions, directed readings, research, writing on selected issues. Topics vary each semester; may be repeated once with new topic.

Discussions, directed readings, research, writing on selected issues. Topics vary each semester; may be repeated once with new topic.

Major individual research project or directed readings in consultation with and under supervision of a faculty member. Topics vary each semester; may be repeated once with new topic.

Discussion, directed readings, research, writing on selected issues in American, nonAmerican history. Topics vary each semester; may be repeated once with new topic.

Prerequisites: 24 program hours; consent of coordinator. Employment, practical experience in community agency, under professional guidance, in concentration area; requires written report.

Prerequisite: consent of coordinator. Scholarly investigation involving original research.

Stabler Hall, Third Floor

This is a 33 semester hour program designed to provide academic preparation for individuals interested in English as a second language (ESL) and foreign languages in various settings across the state, the nation, and in international venues. This program offers students the opportunity to acquire advanced language foundations in order to work with Limited English Proficient (LEP) speakers, and French, German, and Spanish students from preK-16+ grade levels.

The degree consists of two tracks, the second language acquisition & pedagogy track and the Spanish language track. The two tracks share twelve hours of common courses, teaching methods, research, and thesis. They diverge in that the acquisition and pedagogy track engages students in work related to how languages are learned and techniques needed to present languages to others, while the Spanish track focuses on the cultures and literatures of those who speak and write in Spanish throughout the world.

The MASL degree also provides well-qualified professionals to meet the need for foreign language professionals in the public schools. The Arkansas Department of Higher Education has listed foreign languages as one of the four critical shortage areas in the past several years. Additionally, foreign language graduates may pursue employment in two year colleges across the country. Please visit the program’s web site for more information, http://www.disls.ualr.edu/~sadhonau/maslprogram/maslindex.html, or contact the program coordinator.

Up to 12 graduate credit hours may be accepted in transer with faculty approval.

This track focuses on the teaching and acquisition of a foreign language (English, French, German, Spanish). If a student chooses English as a second language (ESL), he/she must have completed ENGL 3312 Grammatical Analysis of Modern English or the equivalent. ESL students are required to complete ENGL 5970 Seminar in Linguistics. If a student chooses a language other than English, he/she must have at least 24 undergraduate hours in the target language (French, German, Spanish) prior to entering the program. Part of the core may be fulfilled by the student's previous course work.

This track focuses on the literature and culture of the Spanish-speaking world. This program requires an extensive background in Spanish. LANG 7313 Spanish Seminar is repeated for credit with varying topics including, but not limited to: Early Spanish Literature, Golden Age, El Quixote, Peninsular 19th and 20th Centuries, Latin America 19th and 20th Centuries, and Colonial Latin American Literature.

Methods and materials used to teach skill development in modern second languages; techniques considered most effective and appropriate assessment strategies. Required for foreign language teacher certification and the ESL endorsement in the state of Arkansas.

Prerequisite: baccalaureate degree. How second language is acquired by children and adults. A course for those preparing to teach students with limited English proficiency. Required for ESL endorsement in the state of Arkansas.

Prerequisite: baccalaureate degree. Cultural issues for teaching students with limited English proficiency. A required course for ESL endorsement in the state of Arkansas.

Prerequisite: baccalaureate degree. Examines goals, principles, instruments, and techniques of assessment and testing of second language learners, K-12 and adult. A required course for ESL endorsement in the state of Arkansas.

Interaction between students and professor on topic relevant to teaching in the discipline.

Theory and techniques of teaching the skills of listening and speaking; skill-building strategies appropriate for novice through advanced language learners; assessment mechanisms designed for appropriate performance at each level.

Theory and techniques of teaching the skills of reading and writing; skill-building strategies appropriate for novice through advanced language learners; assessment mechanisms designed for appropriate performance at each level.

Prerequisite: graduate standing or consent of instructor. Reading, study, discussion, critical analysis of selected topics in a particular language. Content changes on demand; may be repeated with new topic.

Prerequisite: LANG 5322. Practical application of the principles of second language teaching in public elementary and secondary schools, international English language program and adult ESL learning environments.

Understanding and critiquing research in second language education; includes a student-generated research project on a current topic in second language education.

Prerequisites: Completion of basic core, LANG 5322, 5323, 5324, 5325, 7311, 7312, and 7350, and the consent of the instructor. Students will develop a thesis proposal, thesis description, survey of the relevant literature, time-table for completion, and names of committee members and submit this proposal to the division director/graduate coordinator for approval.

Larson Hall 205D, 569-3240

The mission of the MSW program prepares social workers for advanced practice and leadership roles. Graduates of the program have the skills and knowledge to enhance individual, family, group, organization, and community well-being, to work for social and economic justice, and to meet the human service needs of Arkansas and the surrounding region.

The MSW program is offered in Little Rock and Fayetteville. After a generalist first year, students choose one of two concentrations for their second year of study: advanced direct practice (ADP) or management and community practice (MCP). The MSW curriculum consists of 60 hours of graduate work, including 32 core hours, 22 concentration hours, and six elective hours. Field instruction is an integral part of the curriculum design, totaling 18 hours of course work or 1200 practice hours by graduation (1056 hours for advanced-standing students). Advanced-standing students are given credit for 17 hours of graduate work and need 43 hours to graduate. For more information about the program, visit the following web site, http://www.ualr.edu/~swdept/.

1 A student may be admitted while they are completing the requirements of a bachelor’s degree, but may not take graduate courses until the baccalaureate degree is complete.

Graduate Assistantships: A limited number of graduate assistantships are available. Contact the program coordinator for information. Applications are included in the application/information packet that can be obtained by calling (501)569-3240 or visiting the UALR Graduate School web site at http:// www.ualr.edu/~graddept/.

Stipends: A number of stipends are available to students in the School of Social Work. Contact the field director for information.

Only applicants from other Council of Social Work Education (CSWE) accredited graduate social work programs will be considered for transfer admission. The applicant must have an overall GPA of at least 3.0 in graduate work. No grade lower than a B will be accepted for credit. An official statement from the former school indicating the student is in good standing is required. The concentration year (28 hours) of graduate study must be completed at UALR.

No more than one graduate level course from the UALR MSW program, other departments at UALR, or other universities taken prior to the student’s beginning of core MSW courses at UALR may be considered for transfer as an elective course. Students must submit a request of transfer of credit at or before the time of their enrollment. The request should include a cover letter, which discusses the content of the course (other than UALR MSW courses), and its relevance to social work. A copy of the course outline shall be attached. This request should be addressed to the chair of the curriculum committee.

In the event that the curriculum committee accepts requests for transfer of credit, the application is forwarded to the Graduate School dean who then approves the transfer of credit and posts it to the student’s transcript. Transfer grades are not computed as part of a student’s UALR cumulative GPA.

Academic credit is not given for life experience and/or previous work experience, in whole or in part, in lieu of the field practicum or of courses in the professional foundation areas specified in the Curriculum Policy Statement.

Field instruction is an integral part of the curriculum design. Students will have acquired a total of 1200 practice hours by graduation (1056 hours for advanced standing students). Through contact with clients and client systems in a helping relationship, students develop the requisite skills for social work practice. Full-time students usually take field instruction concurrently with other course work. Part-time students may complete field work in a block but must have completed or be in the process of completing all first-year core requirements. All field instruction is under the supervision of field faculty, and all field agencies are approved in advance by the director of field instruction and the appropriate curriculum committees.

Field instruction sites may include federal, state, and local government agencies; private, nonprofit organizations; and hospitals or other in-patient or out-patient facilities that work with or coordinate services for dysfunctional individuals, families, and groups. The agencies might be concerned with spouse or child abuse, physical or learning disabilities, long-term or terminal illness, drug or alcohol abuse, psychological disorders, juvenile delinquency, teen pregnancy, economic distress, or other forms of dysfunction.

Agencies are approved on the basis of their ability to further the educational objectives of the program. Selection criteria include adequacy of the learning environment, availability of client populations, opportunity to work with community resources, and opportunity for participation with staff in the agencies’ organizational processes.

The MSW program requires 60 credit hours and is divided into two academic years, the foundation year and the concentration year. Internships are an integral component of the curriculum and each of the two years of the program requires a supervised internship, which provides opportunities to apply classroom learning. Curriculum programs of study vary according to the student’s background and the campus at which they are enrolled. Please contact the graduate program coordinator at the School of Social Work for details about your curriculum.

The first year is the foundation year which grounds students in the common body of knowle