The University of Arkansas at Monticello Homepage

National Park College (NPC) and the University of Arkansas at Monticello announced a new bachelor’s degree partnership Tuesday. The institutions will collaborate to bring a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree to Hot Springs beginning in July 2025.

All four years of the new bachelor’s degree will be offered on the NPC campus. Students will complete the Associate of Science in Nursing degree enrolled as NPC students and the remainder of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree enrolled as UAM students.

While completing the associate degree coursework, students will be charged NPC tuition rates. UAM tuition rates will apply for students to finish the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program. Participants will have access to the full range of services and resources provided by both NPC and UAM. Upon completion, students will receive an associate degree diploma from NPC and a bachelor's degree diploma from UAM.

All NPC students who apply to UAM will automatically be considered for UAM’s Nighthawk Transfer Scholarship, which offers a $3,000 award per semester for a maximum of four academic terms of continuous enrollment. Students enrolled in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at NPC with 55 hours completed at NPC with a minimum of a 2.5 cumulative grade point average will be eligible for the scholarship.

Dr. John Hogan, president of NPC, said, “This has been quite a long journey, and I am glad we have found a partner in UAM that will work with us in the spirit of meeting our students’ needs. Health care is the top industry in our community, and nursing is the most significant need of our employers. It has been a frustrating and arduous effort to provide students with this degree option, so I am grateful for the patience of our students, the support our community and UAM’s willingness to stand beside us and take on this important responsibility.”

Dr. Peggy Doss, chancellor of UAM, said, “Adding the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program to our campus within a campus partnership with National Park College will effectively address another crucial need in the Arkansas workforce. Ensuring the availability of highly skilled nurses in every part of the state is fundamental to meeting the health care needs of our communities. We are enthusiastic about the opportunity to once again collaborate with NPC, demonstrating the strength of cooperation between two Arkansas higher education institutions. As a result, NPC students will have a pathway to pursue an affordable four-year nursing degree from the University of Arkansas at Monticello, supported by the Nighthawk Transfer Scholarship.”

A press conference for media was held on the NPC campus Tuesday in the Frederick M. Dierks Center for Nursing and Health Sciences. Speakers included Dr. Hogan, Dr. Doss, Dr. Doug Ross, president of CHI St. Vincent Hospital Hot Springs and chief medical officer for the health system, Chris Thomason, vice president for planning and development for the University of Arkansas System, and Dr. Ken Warden, commissioner of the Arkansas Division of Higher Education.