Undergraduate students, including students not declaring a major, must enroll in one of six academic units: the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences; the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences, the Sam M. Walton College of Business, the College of Education and Health Professions, the College of Engineering, or the Fay Jones School of Architecture and Design. Information regarding registration periods and procedures is found on the Registrar's website.

Registration Periods

Students must register during one of the formal registration periods. Currently enrolled students are expected to register during the priority registration held each semester for the following semester. New freshmen are expected to register during orientation. New freshmen not already registered during orientation should register during the open registration period that immediately precedes the beginning of classes each semester. New transfer students should contact their academic college for advising and registration information. There is a late registration period of five days at the beginning of fall and spring semesters, a one-day late registration period at the beginning of intersessions and a one- or two-day late registration period at the beginning of the summer sessions, but students may find that many classes are filled.

Student Addresses

It is the responsibility of all students to maintain and correct their addresses with the university and to report any change of address promptly either in writing to the Office of the Registrar or on the Student Information System. Failure to do so may result in undelivered official correspondence and announcements. Emergency contact information is also required.

Important academic announcements are frequently sent to the students through university-assigned email accounts. Students must check this account frequently to avoid missing critical notices.

Identification Cards

Identification cards are made at orientation and at the ID Card Office during the year. Several privileges on campus require an ID card, and it can be used as a debit card for purchases at various locations throughout the campus. Part-time students are also eligible for a card.

Academic Advising

Academic advising is an active, ongoing exchange between the advisers and students, grounded in teaching and learning. Advising is based on students gaining accurate and appropriate information and direction to help make their educational experience relevant, coherent, and meaningful. It is a process that assists students in connecting with the University of Arkansas, making thoughtful decisions related to their academic experiences, and maximizing their educational and career opportunities. Quality academic advising is essential to achieving the university’s vision. (Academic Advising Council Mission Statement, 2010)

While procedures may vary among schools and colleges, all successful academic advising should include the following:

  • A mutual respect between adviser and student with the student possessing final responsibility for successful completion of a degree.
  • Respect for students’ ethnic and racial heritage, age, gender, culture, national origin, sexual orientation, and religion, as well as their physical, learning, and psychological abilities.
  • A developmental and educational process that occurs over time.
  • Consideration of individual students’ interests, abilities, and needs.
  • A collaborative effort to connect students to campus resources and services.
  • Reasonable availability and accessibility to advisers.
  • Interpretation of University of Arkansas, college, and departmental rules and courses.
  • A student’s understanding of the purpose and nature of the university core courses.
  • Recommendation of appropriate courses.
  • A student’s understanding of and progress toward academic requirements.
  • General information regarding career options and opportunities, with appropriate referrals as necessary.
  • An understanding of and adherence to laws and regulations that relate to academic advising.
  • Adherence to the highest principles of ethical behavior.

The University of Arkansas is committed to developing each student to his or her fullest potential. To this end, programs in each college have been established to improve the academic achievement and persistence of students on academic warning and of other students in need of academic assistance. Such assistance is provided through a variety of instructional and informational services.

Courses That Do Not Count toward a Degree

The following courses do not count toward degree credit in any college or school: ENGL 0001 Writing LabMATH 0001L College Algebra Laboratory I, MATH 0002L College Algebra Laboratory II and MATH 0131L Quantitative Reasoning Laboratory.

The following courses do not count toward any degree in the College of Engineering: MATH 1203 College Algebra (ACTS Equivalency = MATH 1103), MATH 1213 Plane Trigonometry (ACTS Equivalency = MATH 1203), MATH 1284C Precalculus Mathematics (ACTS Equivalency = MATH 1305), and ENGL 2003 Advanced Composition.