Vocational Trade Schools in Arkansas

Northark ranks among the top trade schools in Arkansas and the top community colleges in the country. Founded in 1974, the school currently serves around 1,800 students annually. Northark hosts dozens of technical degree and certificate programs in areas such as automation and systems integration, medical laboratory technology, radiology, automotive service technology, and turf management.

Northark offers several course delivery models, including online, blended, face-to-face, and site-to-site. Online courses allow students to complete coursework from any location with internet access, while blended courses combine online and face-to-face class sessions. Site-to-site courses enable students to attend class at satellite campuses and other partner learning sites, using video conferencing tools to interact with live class sessions held at other campuses.

Among the major trade schools in Arkansas, UA-PTC operates several campus locations across Little Rock and an adult education center in nearby Benton. The school offers technical education In allied health and human services, business and information technology, culinary arts and hospitality management, and technical sciences. Students can choose from associate degrees and technical certificates in fields like dental assisting, paralegal technology, aviation maintenance, machine tool technology, and baking and pastry arts.

The school offers a variety of support services, including academic advising, childcare, veterans services, and career counseling. The Office of Advising and Career Services provides registration assistance, course selection counseling, degree planning, and career advising. UA-PTC also offers counseling, academic tutoring, and disability services.

A public four-year college based in southern Arkansas, UAM offers a variety of technical degrees and certificates in areas such as automotive service technology, heavy equipment operations, diesel technology, health information technology, and welding technology. The UAM College of Forestry, Agriculture & Natural Resources offers unique associate programs in forest technology and land-surveying technology.

UAM also offers an engineering/manufacturing apprenticeship in conjunction with the Arkansas Federation for Advanced Manufacturing Education. This five-semester program stresses technical skills, personal behaviors, and manufacturing core exercises, conferring a 72-credit associate of applied science degree upon graduation. Students typically attend technical classes two days per week while maintaining full-time employment in a manufacturing production environment.

A full-service community college based in eastern Arkansas, EACC serves a five-county area and offers some of the state's lowest tuition rates. Students can choose from several technical degree and certificate programs in fields like auto body repair, drafting and design, residential heat and air conditioning, and residential construction and carpentry.

Students gain access to dedicated tutoring and study resources at the school's Learning Center. EACC also provides support through its online Learning Express platform, which features both academic and career resources. EACC boasts strong career outcomes among graduates, with 70% of the school's associate degree graduates finding employment within one year of graduation.

Founded in 1975, Ozarka serves around 2,500 students annually and ranks among the fastest-growing colleges of its size in the country. The school offers professional programs in fields such as agriculture, culinary arts, health information technology, aviation, and automotive services. Many of the school's associate degrees prepare students to seamlessly transfer into bachelor's programs at several four-year Arkansas colleges.

Students gain access to support services such as admissions counseling, academic advising, veterans services, and disability services. The school also provides online tutoring in a variety of academic subjects, and students can access online resources such as study groups and other virtual meetings to support their studies.

A public two-year college based in Pine Bluff, SEARK offers associate degrees and certificates in allied health and technical studies. Students can study areas like air conditioning and refrigeration technology, emergency medical sciences, phlebotomy technology, and sterile processing. Some programs include both on-campus and online course options, and many associate programs prepare students to transfer into four-year programs at other Arkansas public colleges.

Learners gain access to resources and support services such as individual counseling sessions, resume assistance, job interview preparation, and regular career fairs. The school's Career Services office works with the C-Net internship program to connect students to relevant internship opportunities. Career Services counselors can also help students with transfer connections and other career opportunities at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff.

A member of the Arkansas State University System, ASUN offers technical and vocational programs in the applied sciences, community services, and nursing and allied health. Students can pursue fields such as emergency control technology, hospitality services, agriculture technology, and emergency medical technician.

Learners gain access to a variety of resources through the school's Academic Support Center, including workshops, drop-in tutoring, study materials, and test proctoring. Workshops help students develop the skills they need to succeed in college, such as time management and study skills. ASUN also offers tutoring in subjects such as math, writing, and science.

Affiliated with the University of Arkansas System, UAHT hosts career and technical programs in areas such as industrial technology, power plant technology, surgical scrub technician, and industrial electricity. Students can also pursue unique fields such as funeral directing, funeral service education, and bladesmithing.

The school's Purtle Advising Center offers individualized counseling and degree planning. Academic advisors assist students with course selections, career pathways, and connections to additional school resources.

UAHT also offers dedicated transfer advising for students who plan to pursue a four-year program after earning an associate degree. The school maintains transfer relationships with several four-year colleges around the state, including the University of Arkansas and Central Arkansas University.

Located in West Memphis, ASU Mid-South offers a variety of associate degree and technical programs in fields such as aviation technology, diesel maintenance, mechatronics, welding technology, and respiratory therapy. ASU-Mid South offers prior learning examinations that enable students to earn academic credit for the demonstration of course competencies.

High school students from Crittenden County School Districts can take advantage of ASU Mid-South's career program, which offers workforce training and apprenticeship opportunities. Emphasizing outreach for low-income students, the program serves as a bridge to technical training, building both academic and vocational skills. Career coaches offer specialized support to students, assisting with career and course planning, financial aid and scholarship applications, and connections to apprenticeships.

A public, four-year college and member of the University of Arkansas System, UAFS ranks among the top technical schools in Arkansas. The school's associate degree and certificate options include office management technology, radiography, surgical technology, robotics technology, and unmanned aircraft systems.

UAFS provides comprehensive resources and support services for students, including career services, library facilities, academic advising, and tutoring. The school's Gordon Kelly Academic Success Center offers placement testing, academic coaching, tutoring, and open computer labs. Academic advisors can assist students in mapping out and meeting their academic goals, while career counselors can connect students to career resources and opportunities with local employers.

Affiliated with the University of Arkansas System, UACCM hosts a wide selection of professional programs in areas like surveying, welding technology, and automotive service technology. UACCM's career programs typically take four months to complete for a certificate of proficiency, nine months for a technical certificate, and two years for an associate degree.

Students gain access to counseling, college readiness, and career planning services. Licensed career counselors can assist students in developing a career plan, determining correct course selections, and identifying career opportunities before and after graduation. The student readiness service helps learners build and maintain effective habits for college, such as time management, study, and organizational skills.

Primarily serving students in Baxter County, ASUMH ranks among the top trade schools in Arkansas. The college emphasizes the values of lifelong learning, enhanced quality of life, academic accessibility, and diverse experiences. Students can pursue professional degrees and certificates in areas including funeral science, mechatronics, automotive systems repair, professional medical coding, and emergency medical technician.

ASUMH participates in the Arkansas Career Pathways program, which offers career training and technical education to low-income students. Participants must be adults with dependent children and make an income of less than 250% of the federal poverty level. The program offers career and educational advising, job search assistance, and guidance in developing academic and professional skills. Qualifying students receive tuition assistance. They may also qualify for financial assistance for childcare, transportation, books, and other expenses.

UA Rich Mountain hosts several technical degree and certificate programs in areas like health information billing and coding, inert gas welding, massage therapy, office technology, and advanced manufacturing.

The school maintains transfer arrangements with several four-year colleges around the state, including Arkansas State University, Arkansas Tech University, and the University of Arkansas. UA Rich Mountain also offers transfer advising through its Transfer Success Center.

Additionally, UA Rich Mountain participates in the Arkansas Career Pathways program, which offers financial assistance and advising to low-income students pursuing technical and career programs.

A member of the University of Arkansas System, UACCB ranks among the top trade schools in Arkansas. The school offers a variety of technical certificates, certificates of proficiency, and applied associate degrees. Students can pursue programs in areas like agriculture technology, medical office management, cosmetology, mechatronics, and welding technology.

Students gain access to academic advising and regular career fairs and events. Advisors can assist students with course selections, additional educational opportunities, and connections to campus and community resources. UACCB hosts a career fair each spring that enables students to connect to local employers.

The second-largest Arkansas school by enrollment, A-State enrolls more than 14,000 students annually. As the flagship university of the Arkansas State University System, A-State offers a variety of undergraduate, graduate, and vocational and technical programs.

Students can choose from associate degrees and certificates in fields including clinical laboratory sciences, radiologic sciences administration, and neuropsychological testing. The school also offers a unique associate of applied science in land surveying and geomatics.

As a major public college, A-State offers comprehensive career support for all students. The school's Career Services center offers career coaching, interview training, and career and major exploration. Students can also attend career workshops and job fairs.