UA System Board approves new degrees
February 16-22, 2026
Early Childhood Education and AI now offered
By Justin Bates
The University of Arkansas System Board of Trustees approved two new undergraduate degree programs at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock during its January meeting, expanding academic offerings that address workforce needs in education and technology.
The Board approved a Bachelor of Science in Education (B.S.E.) in Early Childhood Education and a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Artificial Intelligence.
“These degrees address two very different but equally important needs in Arkansas,” said Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor Ann Bain. “They give students practical pathways into high-demand fields while supporting the long-term needs of our region, and I’m proud of our faculty for listening to our community and responding in meaningful ways.”
The new bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education will be housed in the School of Education and will prepare graduates to teach children from pre-kindergarten through second grade. The program responds to a growing shortage of highly qualified early childhood educators across Central Arkansas.
The program is strengthened by a recent gift of $4.2M from the Trinity Foundation, which supports curriculum development, instructional materials, and faculty resources aimed at preparing classroom-ready early childhood educators.
Rachel Eells, director of the School of Education, said the degree reflects both community demand and the university’s mission to be a strong community partner.
“Strong early learning experiences shape everything that comes after,” Eells said. “This program allows us to prepare teachers who are ready to support young learners and families while helping address a critical need in Arkansas schools.”
The Board also approved a bachelor’s degree in Artificial Intelligence, a new program housed in the Department of Computer Science. Designed as a stand-alone degree, the program offers focused coursework in areas such as machine learning, data analytics, robotics, and ethical AI applications.
Dr. Ahmed AbuHalimeh, chair of the Department of Computer Science, said the program was developed in response to rapid growth in AI-related careers across multiple industries.
“Artificial intelligence is already transforming how organizations operate,” AbuHalimeh said. “This program gives students the technical skills and applied experience needed to succeed in a fast-changing field while supporting workforce needs in Arkansas and beyond.”
The proposal for both degrees will be forwarded to the Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board for its consideration. If approved, UA Little Rock plans to begin offering the degrees in fall 2026.
Photo Caption:
Roberts Elementary School 4th grade teacher McKenzie Brown graduated from the UA Little Rock School of Education.
Photo Credit:
Photo by Benjamin Krain.
