Best Colleges in Arkansas for Associate, Bachelor’s & Master’s

Arkansas College Guide – What You Need to Know

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Arkansas colleges and universities are among some of the finest in the nation. The Universities are top notch, covering a wide range of majors that can suit most any career type. You can attend a top business school, prepare for a brilliant career in psychology, or launch a path in the engineering world that is as exciting as it is productive. The University of Arkansas and State University systems offer campuses for four-year degrees, as well as smaller community colleges for an associate. No matter how you get started, an accredited Arkansas school will make sure you finish in top form.

Some of the best colleges and universities are in Arkansas. Arkansas is home to two excellent university systems. The University of Arkansas system includes six full university campuses, two law schools, a medical school, and seven community colleges. Arkansas State has approximately 10 campuses in the state and one in Querétaro, Mexico. Arkansas is also home to approximately 12 private colleges that have strong religious affiliations.

While there are a variety of on-campus academic opportunities, Arkansas also offers plenty of online degree programs. If you are busy with school or family, you can still take courses that lead to a degree and a bright future.

arkansas_map_university.png

What are the most popular bachelor's degrees offered in Arkansas?

Given the wide range of Arkansas colleges and universities, you can find a bachelor's degree that will prepare you for a fulfilling and successful career. For instance, the University of Arkansas's Walton College of Business offers an AACSB-accredited business education, placing it at the top of the business school listings. You can also find a full range of majors in Health Sciences, including healthcare administration. There are too many bachelor's degrees offered in Arkansas to be mentioned here. However, if you want to launch a career in social sciences, psychology, medicine, or engineering, you are in a great state.

Your online Arkansas degree might in one of these popular, and potentially lucrative, fields:

Education Level & National Average Median Compensation

NO FORMAL EDUCATION HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA ASSOCIATE DEGREE BACHELOR’S DEGREE MASTER’S DEGREE DOCTORAL DEGREE
$30,784* $38,792* $46,124* $64,896* $77,844* $96,772*
*National Average Earnings by Degree Level
arizona-National-Average-earning-by-educational-attainment
Best Online Colleges

Most Popular Degrees and Careers in Arkansas

Arkansas has seen dramatic improvements in employment since the pandemic of 2020. In fact, while the state's unemployment numbers track with the national average, Arkansas consistently posts lower unemployment numbers. With that said, Arkansas still tracks behind national averages when it comes to non-farm employment. While the state's numbers show a general upwards trend and getting back to close pre-pandemic unemployment rates according to the U.S. Bureau Of Labor Statistics and is currently around 4.2%.

Top Business Careers and Salaries

CAREER NAME CURRENTLY EMPLOYED AVERAGE ANNUAL WAGE
Marketing Manager 1,320 $65,900
Financial Analyst 1,900 $61,400
Financial Management 4,810 $92,400
Accounting 7,440 $51,600
Management 5,750 $61,300
Logistics 1,520 $51,400
Information Technology - $57,900
  • Marketing Manager:
    Marketing managers are a vital part of most organizations and companies, small to big. Your job will be to help grow and manage a team of marketing professionals that specialize in different areas to develop and implement marketing plans. That will involve collecting and analyzing market data, devising a creative campaign to suit your business goals, and placing the creative pieces in their respective media.
  • Financial Analyst:
    Larger corporations, investment banks, and consulting firms employ financial analysts to assess the relative fiscal health of companies. You might work for a business and analyze its health in relation to comparable companies. Other analysts perform essentially the same functions but seek to value companies that they wish to buy, sell, or introduce to the public markets.
  • Financial Management:
    As a financial manager, you will help businesses and individuals invest in equities, real estate, and other asset purchases. On top of your bachelor's degree, you will probably need to attain a Series 7 license so that you can buy and sell securities.
  • Accounting:
    Arkansas businesses rely on accountants to maintain inventories, account for overages or loss, and to help make changes to bolster the long-term health of the enterprise. If you attain a CPA license, you will be at the top of the business ladder, as the CPA exam is perhaps the most difficult professional examination.
  • Management:
    Every business relies on its management team to deliver profits, manufacturing excellence, and staff stability. When you get an online degree in Management, you will understand how to lead your team and assess their performance, as well as how to handle inventories and all the other aspects that impact business.
  • Logistics:
    More and more firms are looking to logistics professionals to help manage how their goods and resources are shipped and received. This area asks that you analyze all the factors that impact how goods flow around the globe and then determine the best routes, modes of transport, etc. For instance, in summer, you might recommend road transport through the Midwest. However, once winter comes, you might see that it's worthwhile to pay more for air shipments, considering that snowstorms might delay your cross-country shipments.
  • Information Technology:
    Business is only as good as its technology and it might be your job to implement the hardware and software changes that protect your firm's data, while also improving efficiency. In this profession, you will need keen analytical skills that include some programming languages, database management skills, and deep knowledge of technology.
  • Business Administration
  • Business Development
  • Business Management
  • Entrepreneurship

Best Arkansas Schools for Business

  • University of Arkansas – Sam M. Walton College of Businesses
  • Arkansas State – Neil Griffin College of Business
  • Arkansas Tech
  • Hendrix College – Economics and Business degree
  • Philander Smith College

Top Engineering Careers and Salaries

CAREER NAME CURRENTLY EMPLOYED AVERAGE ANNUAL WAGE
Civil Engineer 1,400 $67,100
Electrical Engineer 960 $76,400
Environmental Engineer 100 $66,100
Mechanical Engineer 1,150 $71,400
Construction Managers 2,160 $77,900
Urban Planners 100 $57,700
  • Civil Engineer:
    If you want to build roads, bridges, and structures civil engineering is the position for you. You will spend a lot of time on work sites, overseeing construction. Civil Engineers frequently work on a contract basis, so you will need to be ready as your projects near completion.
    Construction Manager: These managers oversee a construction project, or all construction projects for a business or government agency. They are in charge of scheduling employees, communicating with payroll and HR, reading the blueprints, and making sure the whole site runs smoothly while following all necessary safety procedures.

Best Arkansas Schools for Engineering

  • Arkansas Tech University
  • University of Arkansas
  • Southern Arkansas University
  • Arkansas State

Top Health Sciences Careers and Salaries

CAREER NAME CURRENTLY EMPLOYED AVERAGE ANNUAL WAGE
Occupational Therapy 1,200 $66,600
Physical Therapy 1,990 $71,500
Medical Assistant 3,850 $34,300
Registered Nurse 252,210 $65,400
Pharmacy Technician 4,880 $35,600
Radiology Technician 2,300 $48,100
Hospital Administration 5,680 $87,600
  • Occupational Therapy:
    This profession works with a wide range of patients to help them learn or re-learn life skills. You might work with dementia patients who need more practice with things like dressing themselves. Frequently, Occupational Therapists work in a hospital setting, which can mean a geriatrics ward or even the mental health wing. It's also possible to work as an OT but out in the community with people who need all sorts of supports. Some OT professionals work with teens who suffer with psychosis.
  • Physical Therapy:
    In order to recover from a surgery, accident, or even a disease, patients frequently need a Physical Therapist to help them regain full mobility. You might help patients use their new wheelchairs, or work with a formerly bedridden patient who now needs to rebuild their balance and strength so they can walk again. To realize your optimal success as a PT, you will need a doctoral degree.

Best Arkansas Schools for Health Sciences

  • University of Arkansas
  • Arkansas State
  • Southern Arkansas University
  • Hendrix College

Top Psychology Careers and Salaries

CAREER NAME CURRENTLY EMPLOYED AVERAGE ANNUAL WAGE
Psychiatrist 160 $211,800
Organizational Psychologist 630 $78,300
Neuropsychologist 90 $93,700
Engineering Psychologist 120 $98,900
Psychology Teacher 200 $45,000
Clinical Psychologist 730 $80,800

  • Psychiatrist:
    Your duties as a psychiatric professional will often entail analyzing patient blood levels, writing prescriptions, and discussing symptoms with your patients.

  • Organizational Psychologist:
    In this field, you will analyze how people operate in groups, and how they manage to achieve goals as a collective. For instance, you could take a look at a corporation and discern how variables such as workplace environment, salary, office attitudes, and bonus incentives impact performance. Your goal will be to increase the overall health of the organization through assessing training and developmental needs, individual coaching, and leadership training.

  • Neuropsychologist:
    After you achieve a bachelor's degree in Psychology, you will need to graduate with at least a master's degree to work as a neuropsychologist. You will gain specific knowledge and insight into the brain's functions; you will seek to describe and predict behaviors based solely on neurological information. Your day-to-day work might involve analyzing brain scans or interviewing patients to assess their cognitive functioning.

  • Engineering Psychologist:
    This is a relatively new sub-field in the realm of psychology that looks at the psychology of our physical environment. That is, you might assess the layout of a building or how a car interior is designed and determine how those things impact a person's psychology. Designers and marketers are seeking this sort of information so that they can create the products that people find interesting, comfortable, and worthy of their dollars.

  • Psychology Teacher:
    To enter this field, you will need a master's degree to teach at the university level. However, there are some high schools that also employ Psychology Teachers. In fact, if you have a master's degree, and can find a position teaching Psychology to high schoolers, you will likely have higher pay and more job security than pursuing a university teaching job.

  • Clinical Psychologist:
    This sort of psychologist is what most people think of when you say Psychologist. That is, these professionals work in quiet offices and counsel or psychoanalyze patients who are having difficulty with their individual psychological phenomena.

  • Substance Abuse Counseling

  • Counseling

  • Psychologist

Best Arkansas Schools for Psychology

  • University of Arkansas
  • Arkansas State
  • Ouachita Baptist University
  • Philander Smith College
  • Hendrix College

Top Social Sciences Careers and Salaries

CAREER NAME CURRENTLY EMPLOYED AVERAGE ANNUAL WAGE
Economist 100 $76,400
Sociologist 2,630 $57,400
Public Policy Analyst - $59,500
Public School Teacher 11,940 $50,300
Data Scientist 30,810 $96,200
Market Analyst 4,630 $56,400
Risk Analyst 1,900 $65,400
  • Economist:
    A wide range of companies and governmental agencies employ economists to help them analyze markets and other social phenomena to make effective decisions. Economists sometimes work for banks to help them make decisions regarding lending and others might even work for news outlets, analyzing the impact of market fluctuations or how weather might impact regional, national, and global economics.
  • Sociologist:
    Many sociologists work for universities in academic positions. However, others might work as consultants for governments or other institutions who desire to understand how and why groups of people act as they do. For instance, a shopping mall might rely on sociological analysis to determine how to improve sales or crowd flow.
  • Public Policy Analyst:
    This is a great career track if you study history or political science. Frequently, policy analysts work on a contract basis for state or local governments. They might be hired by individual elected officials or could even work in the private sector. Though many are hired with a bachelor's degree, you might consider a master's to make yourself more marketable.
  • Public School Teacher:
    Many who graduate with social science degrees teach high school. You might teach history, civics, or even politics, depending on what your school system has to offer. Even if you teach a less highly specialized classroom, in primary or middle grades for instance, your degree will inform your classroom every day.
  • Data Scientist:
    This is a great route for an economist who has dabbled in math or computer science. If you are familiar with statistics and can wrangle databases, your skills will be in demand by hospitals, banks, government agencies, and countless businesses.
  • Market Analyst:
    Every business wants to know what's going on in the markets. To determine what products and services are in the highest demand, they hire Market Analysts. If you study economics or sociology and have strong quantitative analysis skills, you could be a desirable candidate for this career path. To enhance your resume, you might consider taking courses in statistics, market research, or even psychology.
  • Risk Analyst:
    This is a career for an economist who is steeped in analyzing data. However, if you are a sociology or psychology major who is focusing on research and quantitative analysis, this could be a career for you as well. Courses in finance, statistics, and risk management will provide a strong foundation on which to start building a brilliant career.

Best Arkansas Schools for Social Sciences

  • University of Arkansas
  • Hendrix College
  • Philander Smith College
  • Arkansas State
  • Ouachita Baptist University
Want to See All the Arkansas Occupational Wage Averages

Additional Arkansas Careers

Top ten occupations with the highest forecasted growth rate in Arkansas

The Arkansas Department of Workforce Services has aggregated the professions that are predicted to add the most jobs in the years 2016-26. The healthcare sector is dominant in the list, but they also predict expansion in skilled trades, education, and legal services. Here are the top 10 Arkansas professions slated to have the most growth:

Occupation Projected Growth
Physician Assistants 40.36%
Personal Care Aides 38.16%
Nurse Practitioners 37.14%
Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists 35.93%
Software Developers 35.76%
Home Health Aides 35.15%
Operations Research Analysts 34.08%
Physical Therapist Assistants 31.27%
Physical Therapist Aides 31.03%

Best Associate Degrees in Arkansas

Best Associate Degrees in Arkansas
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Starting off your college career at a community college is one of the most affordable ways to attend postsecondary classes. As you look for the best colleges in the state of Arkansas, you might consider earning your associate degree in your chosen field before transferring to a 4-year university to complete your degree program. Or you may want a quicker diploma that allows you to move into your chosen career field faster. These programs can offer you either of those options at the highest quality.

Ozarka College
College Type
2-year, Public		 Campus Housing
Yes		 Student Population
1,170		 Graduation Rate
57%		 Net Price
$5,809 		Grads Salary
$23,800
Shorter College
College Type
2-year, Private not-for-profit		 Campus Housing
No		 Student Population
221		 Graduation Rate
42%		 Net Price
$14,913 		Grads Salary
$43,200
University of Arkansas Community College-Batesville
College Type
2-year, Public		 Campus Housing
No		 Student Population
1,459		 Graduation Rate
52%		 Net Price
$7,896 		Grads Salary
$25,500
Arkansas Tech University
College Type
2-year, Public		 Campus Housing
No		 Student Population
11,829		 Graduation Rate
44%		 Net Price
$11,277 		Grads Salary
$34,100
NorthWest Arkansas Community College
College Type
2-year, Public		 Campus Housing
No		 Student Population
8,383		 Graduation Rate
27%		 Net Price
$6,079 		Grads Salary
$32,800
University of Arkansas Community College Rich Mountain
College Type
2-year, Public		 Campus Housing
Yes		 Student Population
865		 Graduation Rate
52%		 Net Price
$6,066 		Grads Salary
$20,800
Phillips Community College of the University of Arkansas
College Type
2-year, Public		 Campus Housing
No		 Student Population
1,541		 Graduation Rate
41%		 Net Price
$4,377 		Grads Salary
$22,400
Arkansas State University-Beebe
College Type
2-year, Public		 Campus Housing
Yes		 Student Population
3,317		 Graduation Rate
42%		 Net Price
$9,084 		Grads Salary
$29,400
Arkansas State University-Mountain Home
College Type
2-year, Public		 Campus Housing
Yes		 Student Population
1,325		 Graduation Rate
39%		 Net Price
$10,191 		Grads Salary
$32,200
University of Arkansas Community College-Morrilton
College Type
2-year, Public		 Campus Housing
No		 Student Population
1,836		 Graduation Rate
37%		 Net Price
$7,902 		Grads Salary
$27,500
Full Ranking Report

Best Bachelor's Degrees in Arkansas

Best Bachelor's Degrees in Arkansas
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You’ll want to consider several colleges and universities before you decide which one has the best bachelor’s program for your career goals. Why not pick from the best schools in the state? Whether you plan to begin a career in technology, real estate, or marketing, you have to find the right program for you. Get the most out of the college experience.

University of Arkansas
College Type
4-year, Public		 Campus Housing
Yes		 Student Population
27,559		 Graduation Rate
68%		 Net Price
$16,759		 Grads Salary
$67,500
Harding University
College Type
4-year, Private not-for-profit		 Campus Housing
Yes		 Student Population
4,879		 Graduation Rate
72%		 Net Price
$19,454		 Grads Salary
$63,300
Arkansas State University
College Type
4-year, Public		 Campus Housing
Yes		 Student Population
13,356		 Graduation Rate
53%		 Net Price
$14,275		 Grads Salary
$61,500
University of Arkansas at Little Rock
College Type
4-year, Public		 Campus Housing
Yes		 Student Population
8,899		 Graduation Rate
42%		 Net Price
$12,235		 Grads Salary
$63,700
Southern Arkansas University
College Type
4-year, Public		 Campus Housing
Yes		 Student Population
4,475		 Graduation Rate
43%		 Net Price
$13,561		 Grads Salary
$64,000
University of the Ozarks
College Type
4-year, Private not-for-profit		 Campus Housing
Yes		 Student Population
824		 Graduation Rate
47%		 Net Price
$16,009		 Grads Salary
$66,000
Arkansas Tech University
College Type
4-year, primarily associate's, Public		 Campus Housing
Yes		 Student Population
11,829		 Graduation Rate
44%		 Net Price
$11,277		 Grads Salary
$59,300
Hendrix College
College Type
4-year, Private not-for-profit		 Campus Housing
Yes		 Student Population
1,121		 Graduation Rate
65%		 Net Price
$20,778		 Grads Salary
$63,800
University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff
College Type
4-year, Public		 Campus Housing
Yes		 Student Population
2,498		 Graduation Rate
39%		 Net Price
$10,684		 Grads Salary
$58,900
Williams Baptist University
College Type
4-year, Private not-for-profit		 Campus Housing
Yes		 Student Population
550		 Graduation Rate
38%		 Net Price
$16,646		 Grads Salary
$70,000
Full Ranking Report

Best Master's Degrees in Arkansas

Best Master's Degrees in Arkansas
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As you look for high-quality graduate degrees in Arkansas, you’ll have your choice of liberal arts universities, research institutions, and schools that make a Christian viewpoint the focus of their degrees. As you look for the best master’s degree in your field, you can use this list to help you narrow the field. You can also check out the best MBA Programs in Arkansas here.

University of Arkansas
College Type
4-year, Public		 Campus Housing
Yes		 Student Population
27,559		 Graduation Rate
68%		 Net Price
$16,759		 Grads Salary
$67,500
Harding University
College Type
4-year, Private not-for-profit		 Campus Housing
Yes		 Student Population
4,879		 Graduation Rate
72%		 Net Price
$19,454		 Grads Salary
$63,300
Hendrix College
College Type
4-year, Private not-for-profit		 Campus Housing
Yes		 Student Population
1,121		 Graduation Rate
65%		 Net Price
$20,778		 Grads Salary
$63,800
Arkansas State University
College Type
4-year, Public		 Campus Housing
Yes		 Student Population
13,356		 Graduation Rate
53%		 Net Price
$14,275		 Grads Salary
$61,500
University of Arkansas at Little Rock
College Type
4-year, Public		 Campus Housing
Yes		 Student Population
8,899		 Graduation Rate
42%		 Net Price
$12,235		 Grads Salary
$63,700
Williams Baptist University
College Type
4-year, Private not-for-profit		 Campus Housing
Yes		 Student Population
550		 Graduation Rate
38%		 Net Price
$16,646		 Grads Salary
$70,000
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus
College Type
4-year, Public		 Campus Housing
Yes		 Student Population
4,475		 Graduation Rate
43%		 Net Price
$13,561		 Grads Salary
$64,000
Arkansas Tech University
College Type
4-year, primarily associate's, Public		 Campus Housing
Yes		 Student Population
11,829		 Graduation Rate
44%		 Net Price
$11,277		 Grads Salary
$59,300
John Brown University
College Type
4-year, Private not-for-profit		 Campus Housing
Yes		 Student Population
2,319		 Graduation Rate
64%		 Net Price
$21,578		 Grads Salary
$59,200
University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff
College Type
4-year, Public		 Campus Housing
Yes		 Student Population
2,498		 Graduation Rate
39%		 Net Price
$10,684		 Grads Salary
$58,900
Full Ranking Report

Cost of Arkansas College Education & Salaries

The cost of college is a major concern for most students. While you will probably need a formal education to achieve the status and salary you desire, the up-front expenditures might seem overwhelming. While you might be able to offset your college expenses with scholarships and grants, you are almost guaranteed to graduate with debt.

Your expenses will rise if you attend a private college or an out-of-state institution. If you are tempted to attend a school outside of Arkansas, you might want to complete your first two years in-state at a university or community college. You can then transfer to complete your degree. It may be possible, however, to lower your out-of-state tuition expense by taking online courses. Every school is different, but some don't charge a premium to online out-of-state students.

When assessing your Arkansas college costs, look at the long-term personal and career satisfaction that a degree will bring. Even those courses that seem superfluous, such as composition, will one day pay off. For instance, your composition course might instill writing skills that pay off when you write cover letters for a job, and then when you prepare presentations to investors. Every dollar spent on education is a dollar well spent.

Lastly, when you are nearing graduation, look into loan deferment or forgiveness programs. Some allow you to work for a number of years in government or non-profit organizations as a means to pay off the loan. These jobs often pay a competitive market rate and will provide invaluable experience. Also consider that government jobs frequently come with significant benefits, including top-notch healthcare programs for you and your family.

College Cost Analysis - Arkansas vs National

Average Arkansas Tuition & Fees at 4 Year Public Schools

In-State Tuition - $8,391

National Average – $9,580

Out-of-State – $20,825

National Average – $27,437

Percentage of Students Receiving Financial Aid

It's no longer possible to pay for college by saving up from a summer job. In fact, the rising cost of tuition means that many students need to apply for some form of financial aid before they graduate from college. This is usually in the form of a student loan that must be repaid with interest. Thankfully, there are scholarships, grants, and fellowships available to offset your expenses without a repayment plan. In Arkansas, less than half of all students need to apply for financial aid. While your state's financial aid rates are still about 5% higher than the national average.

Financial Aid Arkansas Nationally
Received Federal Grants 43% 37.7%
Average $ per Recipient $9,291 $10,927

Best Scholarships for Arkansas

College is not cheap. However, there are countless opportunities to win scholarships, grants, and fellowships that can help defray your tuition, or which will enhance your studies with funds for special research. Though few scholarships will cover your full tuition, or sometimes even the full cost of your books, when you win such an award it will serve as a special distinction on your resume.

AFG

Arkansas Future Grant (ArFuture)

https://scholarships.adhe.edu/scholarships/detail/arfutures/
Amount:
Deadline:
This grant is for those in STEM departments. The grants are also open to students studying subjects that are in high demand for their area. The funds cover tuition and fees if you qualify. Make sure you apply as soon as possible, as funds are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

ACS_logo

ACS

Academic Challenge Scholarship

https://scholarships.adhe.edu/scholarships/detail/academic-challenge-scholarships
Amount: $2,000 (1st and 2nd year students), $4,000 (3rd and 4th year students)
Deadline: June 1
To qualify for this scholarship, you must be accepted to an approved institution, have a 2.5 cumulative GPA, 27 semester hours for the first year, and 30 hours per year thereafter. High school students must have a minimum ACT score of 19, or a 990 on the SAT and verified acceptance/enrollment in a qualifying college or university.

GDS

Governor’s Distinguished Scholarship

https://scholarships.adhe.edu/scholarships/detail/governors-distinguished-scholarship
Amount: Covers tuition, fees, and $10,000 of room and board
Deadline: February 1
This is a scholarship that will always be a badge of honor. Winners receive money for tuition, mandatory fees, and the first $10,000 of your room and board. To qualify, you must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 and a minimum 32 on the ACT, or a 1410 on the SAT.

MDS

Military Dependents Scholarship (MDS)

https://scholarships.adhe.edu/scholarships/detail/military-dependents-scholarship-mds
Amount: All tuition, mandatory fees, room, and meal plan not covered by Dependents Education Assistance or chapter 35 benefits.
Deadline: June 1
If one of your parents was military personnel who was killed, missing in action, or taken as a prisoner of war, this scholarship can help you pay for college. To qualify, you must be an Arkansas resident, a US citizen or permanent resident, the child or spouse of an eligible Arkansas veteran, and be enrolled in an approved Arkansas institution.

SPS_logo

SPS

Single Parent Scholarships (SPSF)

https://www.aspsf.org/
Amount: Varies by County
Deadline: Varies by County
Low-income, single parents are encouraged to receive aid in the form of a debt-free scholarship. This award varies county-to-county, so visit the website to learn more about this scholarship.

SURF

Student Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF)

https://scholarships.adhe.edu/scholarships/detail/student-undergraduate-research-fellowship-surf
Amount: Varies
Deadline: October 18
This fellowship is for undergraduate students who wish to pursue research projects within their major areas of study. You must be working with a faculty mentor, submit your transcripts, describe your proposed research in a five-page document, and provide letters of recommendation, among other materials. For a full list of requirements, see the website.

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