Smart Start

The Smart Start concurrent enrollment program was created for local students to earn early college credit. This partnership of UAFS and local school districts providing opportunities for our high school students is growing annually. Through the program the university offers general education courses as provided by the Arkansas Course Transfer System, such as Composition I and II, U.S. History I and II, College Algebra, plane trigonometry, speech, psychology, and other general education courses. These courses differ from Advanced Placement (AP) coursework in that students are enrolled and participating in a college course taught by university faculty and, regardless of exam scores, students earn the grade given at the end of the semester. Most Smart Start courses are the traditional semester in length rather than the full academic year. Most courses are offered online, though some locations offer courses onsite taught by UAFS faculty traveling to the high school. Course options vary at each location.

Throughout the program students gain the knowledge of performing at the university level and gain confidence to advance in their collegiate experience. Students in the program can begin college with 18 or more hours and potentially complete college ahead of schedule.

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We Serve

The program is open to juniors and seniors at participating high schools. Students entering the program must have college-level placement with an ACT 19 or an equivalent placement score. Students must also maintain a 2.0 GPA throughout the program.

Smart Start is currently offered at these high schools.

• Southside High School
• Northside High School
• Union Christian
• Future School
• Greenwood High School
• Hackett High School
• Lavaca High School
• Charleston High School
• Grace Academy
• Booneville High School
• Prairie Grove High School
• Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences, and the Arts

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Western Arkansas Technical Center (WATC)

Hands On and Career Ready:  The WATC Advantage

The Western Arkansas Technical Center (WATC) stands apart from traditional educational centers, and that's why our graduates are highly sought after by employers. Since 1998 WATC has delivered cutting-edge technical and career programs to high school students across 22 districts from Crawford, Franklin, Johnson, Logan, Scott, and Sebastian counties. In that time, nearly 10,000 juniors and seniors have earned more than 100,000 college credit hours, gaining the skills necessary to advance their careers.

Services are offered at no cost to the students. WATC provides books, tuition, and fees thanks to funding made available by the Department of Workforce Education and a training fee paid by the local school districts.

Join WATC to experience a hands-on approach to learning, gain valuable industry exposure, and prepare for a successful career. Whether you aim to enter the workforce immediately or continue your education, WATC equips you with the skills and credentials you need to succeed.

Start Your WATC Enrollment Application

Interested or have a general question? Read our WATC brochure or feel free to contact us at 479-788-7720 or by email at WATC@uafs.edu.