Sam M. Walton College of Business: A Comprehensive Overview

The Sam M. Walton College of Business (Walton College or Walton) at the University of Arkansas is a public institution established in 1926. As the largest college at the University of Arkansas, it serves nearly 10,000 students. The college is named after Sam M. Walton, the founder of Walmart, following a substantial donation from the Walton Family Charitable Support Foundation.

History and Establishment

Business education at the University of Arkansas began in 1926 on the third floor of Old Main, known then as the School of Business Administration. Four faculty members and 21 students marked the humble beginnings of business education at UA. Harvard graduate Charles C. Fichtner, who became the college's first dean, founded the School of Business Administration in 1926. The original curricula encompassed accounting, banking, finance, general business, industrial management, and marketing.

In 1978, the College relocated to its current location at 220 North McIlroy, following the completion of the Business Building. In 1998, it was renamed the Sam M. Walton College of Business Administration after receiving a $50 million donation from the Walton Family Charitable Support Foundation. This was the largest upfront cash gift ever given to a public business school at that time. The name was later shortened to the "Sam M. Walton College of Business."

A $100,000 donation from business owner Barney Lewis, class of 1934, helped establish a professional development program at the college that would later become the Leadership Walton program.

Rankings and Recognition

U.S. News & World Report consistently ranks Walton College among the top business schools in the country. For 23 consecutive years, U.S. News & World Report has ranked Walton College’s undergraduate business program in the top 30 public business schools. The Princeton Review lists the Walton M.B.A. among the best M.B.A. programs in the country, along with ranking Walton College of Business #4 in the South and #22 in the nation for best graduate entrepreneurship programs. The Wall Street Journal ranked the Walton M.B.A. #11 for the best return on investment based on federal student loan and post-graduation salary data from 600 M.B.A. programs. The J.B. Hunt Transport Department of Supply Chain Management at Walton College is also frequently recognized for its elite Supply Chain Management programs. In addition, the Sam M. Walton College of Business was recognized in 2023 and 2024 by the leading global research firm, Gartner.

Read also: Exploring Walton Creative Learning

Campus and Facilities

Following the Campaign for the 21st Century, the Walton College experienced a period of rapid facility growth. Anchored by Linda Sue Shollmier Plaza, the Walton College is housed in a four-building business campus hosting all activities of the college. These buildings include Willard J. Walker Hall housing academic departments, the Graduate School of Business, Career Connections, the Garrison Financial Institute and Trading Center, and classrooms; the Business Building housing academic departments, the Dean's Office, Technology Center, classrooms, and Student Success units (Academic Advising and Welcome Center, Honors Program, Student Engagement and the Business Communication Lab); the Donald W. Reynolds Center for Enterprise Development providing home to the Arkansas Business Hall of Fame, Development, External Relations, Marketing, the Conference Hub, classrooms, and a 300-seat auditorium; and the J.B. Hunt Transport Services Center for Academic Excellence. Willard J. Walker Hall at 191 North Harmon and the J.B. Hunt Transport Services Center for Academic Excellence at 227 North Harmon opened in 2007 adjacent to the Business Building, enclosing the Linda Sue Shollmier Plaza and creating a business campus within the southern part of the UA campus. The Donald W. Reynolds Center for Enterprise Development at 145 North Buchanan was built following a grant from Donald W. Reynolds Foundation.

Academic Programs

Walton College offers a variety of programs at the undergraduate, master's, executive education, and doctoral levels. The college is known nationally for its strong programs in retail, entrepreneurship, information systems, and supply chain management.

Undergraduate Programs

Undergraduate students may pursue curricula leading to one of the following degrees: Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (B.S.B.A), Bachelor of Science in International Business (B.S.I.B.). In each of these degree programs, the pre-business requirements must be completed before students may enroll in upper division business courses. Students in Walton College may pursue an academic minor in business or in the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences. Walton College also offers business minors for non-business students.

Admission and Scholarships

All students admitted to the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, are eligible for admission to the Sam M. Walton College of Business. High school graduates who expect to enroll in Walton College are encouraged to apply for scholarships made available to freshmen by individuals, business firms, and organizations. Also available to freshmen, regardless of degree program, are freshmen academic scholarships. Current Walton College students may apply for both college and departmental scholarships beginning in January of each year for the following academic year.

Student Organizations

In addition to the general university student organizations, Walton College Student Ambassadors, Leadership Walton and a Dean's Student Collaboration Team, there are several college societies open to Walton College students. S.A.K.E. S.A.L.E.S.

Read also: The Story of Sam Walton

Pre-Business Requirements

Students pursuing a degree in Walton College are classified as pre-business with an intended major until all pre-business requirements are fulfilled. To be eligible to enroll in upper-division business courses in Walton College, a student must complete the Walton College computer competency requirement, ISYS 11203 and maintain at least a 2.50 (on a 4.00 scale) overall grade-point average (GPA) in addition to completing the 31 credit hours listed below of pre-business core courses (or their equivalents), also with at least a 2.50 GPA. Further, a student must complete all courses offered to meet this requirement with a grade of “C” or better or the requirement for graduation. The pre-business core courses are as follows:

ACCT 20103 Accounting Principles
ACCT 20203 Accounting Principles II
SPCH 10003 Public Speaking (ACTS Equivalency = SPCH 1003)
ECON 21003 Principles of Macroeconomics (ACTS Equivalency = ECON 2103)
ECON 22003 Principles of Microeconomics (ACTS Equivalency = ECON 2203)
ENGL 10103 Composition I (ACTS Equivalency = ENGL 1013)
ENGL 10203 Composition II (ACTS Equivalency = ENGL 1023)
ISYS 11203 Business Application Knowledge - Computer Competency
MATH 22003 Survey of Calculus (ACTS Equivalency = MATH 2203)
MATH 20503 Finite Mathematics
BUSI 11101 Freshman Business Connection
BUSI 10303 Data Analysis and Interpretation

Students majoring or minoring in Accounting or Finance must complete ACCT 20203. Students’ records will be evaluated each semester to determine whether a student should be moved to a major and have pre-business classification removed. After completing pre-business requirements and being admitted into his or her major, the student is expected to arrange for a pre-graduation check by the Undergraduate Programs Office to ascertain remaining degree requirements.

Business Core Requirements

Students pursuing a degree in Walton College must complete the following business core courses:

BLAW 20003 The Legal Environment of Business (ACTS Equivalency = BLAW 2003)
ISYS 21003 Business Information Systems
FINN 20403 Principles of Finance
MGMT 21003 Managing People and Organizations
SEVI 30103 Strategic Management
MKTG 34303 Introduction to Marketing
SCMT 21003 Integrated Supply Chain Management

Registration in Junior/Senior-Level Walton College Courses

Walton College students must complete the pre-business requirements prior to enrollment in junior- or senior-level courses in Walton College. Non-degree seeking students and students enrolled in other colleges are subject to the same course prerequisites as students within Walton College. Specific exceptions to this policy must be addressed to the executive director for undergraduate programs in Walton College.

Restrictions on General Education Electives

Only three hours total of general education electives will be allowed in Physical Education Activity (PEAC) courses.

Transfer of Credit Policies

In addition to the university policies controlling the granting of credit for course work taken at other institutions, the following policies apply to transfer work applied to any undergraduate business program: Transfer students considering admission to pursue a major in Walton College must have completed the pre-business courses and requirements listed above and have a 2.50 (on a 4.00 scale) cumulative grade-point average in the pre-business courses and in his or her overall grade-point average. Transfer students will be classified as pre-business students until pre-business core requirements have been completed. A pre-business and overall grade-point average for courses accepted for transfer by the University of Arkansas will be calculated and used to evaluate the completion of the pre-business requirements by students transferring courses from other institutions. Unless exceptions are granted at the time of admission to the University of Arkansas, transfer courses accepted by the university will not be accepted by Walton College for degree purposes unless a grade of “C” or better has been earned in each of these courses. A transferred course cannot carry more degree hours than are available in a similar University of Arkansas course. Business courses completed at the freshman or sophomore level at another institution will not count as equivalents of junior- or senior-level courses offered in Walton College (University of Arkansas), and no transfer credit shall be granted for any such course(s) in Walton College. At least 50 percent of program requirements in business and economics must be taken in residence. SEVI 30103, 21-24 hours of upper division courses required for the completion of the major, and 3-6 hours of additional, upper division business courses are required degree must be taken in residence at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville. Junior- or senior-level core courses in business and economics may be transferred from a school accredited by AACSB International. Junior- or senior-level core courses taken at a non-AACSB International-accredited, four-year institution must either be repeated or validated by procedures specified and approved by the assistant dean for undergraduate programs. Junior- or senior-level electives in business and economics taken at a non-AACSB International-accredited, four-year institution may be accepted in transfer as junior/senior business electives. In cases of minors or transfer, students who take courses with different names but with similar content at different institutions or in different colleges within the University of Arkansas, may be allowed degree credit for only one of the courses (i.e.: principles of economics and agricultural economics). Students pursuing degrees and minors within the Walton College must enroll in business courses as designated by their program of study. Courses taken at any higher education institution where the course content is remedial are not acceptable for degree credit. The student should be prepared to submit course descriptions, syllabi, or other course-related information for transfer course work if there is any question as to whether Walton College will grant degree credit for such work.

Exceptions

All requests for, exceptions to, and variations from the rules, regulations, and requirements of Walton College and the university should be made in writing to the executive director for undergraduate programs of Walton College. Consult the Undergraduate Programs Office in Walton College for these requests.

Course Loads

The normal course load in Walton College is 15 to 17 hours per semester (and six hours per summer term). Students with a 2.75 grade-point average the previous semester may take a maximum of 18 hours. Seniors may take 18 to 19 hours, if required for graduation, during their final semester. Students on academic warning are limited to a maximum course load of 12 hours. University regulations on the number of hours allowed per semester are found in the Orientation and Registration section of this catalog.

Foreign Language Concentration

An undergraduate B.S.B.A. degree-seeking student may elect to substitute 12 hours in a single upper-level foreign language for 12-15 hours of the 12-15 hours required in the junior-senior business elective block of courses for the degree requirements. Students who choose to use 12 hours of foreign language, but who are pursuing majors requiring 15 hours of junior-senior business electives, must take an additional 3 hour junior-senior business elective to satisfy degree requirements.

Double Major

A student may elect to obtain a double major by completing all required courses for two majors in Walton College (but not in two concentrations within a single major). The minimum hour requirement for a double major is 138 degree credit hours to include all requirements for both majors. If there are courses common to both majors, academic advisers will specify additional requirements in lieu of the common courses. The junior/senior business elective block can be reduced by three hours; however, choice of the junior/senior business electives is restricted to no more than three total hours from each department that offers the two majors. Students who have elected to substitute a foreign language course of study for junior/senior business electives must complete 12 hours of junior/senior language courses. The student must notify the Undergraduate Programs Office in Walton College of intent to pursue a double major. All requirements for double majors must be completed prior to awarding of a degree.

Business Minors

The Walton College offers a variety of minors for students desiring specific knowledge in another area of business (outside their major) to assist them in their business careers. Students may elect to obtain a business major and a business minor by completing all required courses for both the major and the minor in the Walton College (but not a major and minor within the same discipline). Students must complete all requirements for both the major and the minor and may not use more than six hours of major courses toward minor requirements. If there are common courses to both, the department chairs involved will agree upon and specify additional requirements. Business minors require the completion of 15 specific hours of study and all upper level courses applied toward the minor must be taken in residence. Students may elect to obtain multiple business minors by completing all required courses for all minors in the Walton College (but not minors within the same discipline). Students must complete all requirements for minors and may not use more than three hours of courses toward each of the minor requirements. However, if there are common courses to both, the department chairs involved will agree upon and specify additional requirements. Students who desire to earn a business minor must notify the Walton College Undergraduate Programs Office of their intent to pursue a minor. All requirements for the minor must be completed prior to the awarding of the student's undergraduate degree. All specific course prerequisites must be met. Each students must have a 2.00 cumulative GPA in the courses offered for the minor.

Additional Bachelor’s Degrees

Students seeking a second bachelor’s degree must contact the Undergraduate Programs Office to ascertain specific requirements. Degree candidates must meet the university’s general graduation requirements. The university requires that 1) the student take a minimum of 30 semester hours over the requirements for the first degree, and 2) the 30 hours cover a minimum of 36 weeks in residency at the Fayetteville campus. Walton College also requires that the student complete all courses in the pre-business and business core and the major and any additional business requirements (if some of these have been completed on the first degree, they are waived). It is recommended that any additional courses needed to finish the university’s 30-hour requirement be junior or senior business electives. The second degree may be taken after the first is awarded, or both degrees may be awarded simultaneously after completion of all requirements for both.

College Graduation Requirements

Degree candidates must meet the university’s general entrance requirements, number of credit hours required in residence, and the “requirements for graduation,” including the State Minimum Core American history. Degree candidates must satisfactorily complete the total number of semester hours specified for the curriculum in courses approved for one of the majors outlined in the succeeding pages. No less than 50 percent of the total credits must be in approved subjects other than business. NOTE: Not all courses offered by the university will be accepted for degree credit by Walton College. Courses falling into this category are ENGL 00001, MATH 00101, MATH 00202, and MATH 01101. Developmental courses are defined as 1) any course so designated by the university, and 2) any lower-division course taken after a higher-level course is taken. Credit will not be given for duplicate course work. Students must earn a grade of “C” or better in all pre-business core course requirements. Each student must have a 2.00 cumulative GPA in each of the following areas: All work completed at the University of Arkansas. All courses specifically designated for the major. All required business core courses and required economics courses.

Graduate Programs

The Walton College of Business offers a range of graduate programs, including MBA programs and specialized master's degrees. These programs are designed to provide advanced knowledge and skills in various business disciplines.

The Princeton Review lists the Walton M.B.A. among the best M.B.A. programs in the country, along with ranking Walton College of Business #4 in the South and #22 in the nation for best graduate entrepreneurship programs. The Wall Street Journal ranked the Walton M.B.A. #11 for the best return on investment based on federal student loan and post-graduation salary data from 600 M.B.A. programs.

Walton operates two MBAs: a traditional full-time program and a part-time Executive MBA. With classes held “once a month on Saturdays,” the part-time program “offers a lot of flexibility for working professionals.” Students praise the “blended delivery,” which “incorporates both in-class and distance learning.” On top of that, “the administration ensures that the students lives are easy when it comes to enrollment and degree requirements”-they even provide all the materials (and meals!) on class day. For full-timers, the experience is likewise fast-paced, packing a full academic program-including an internship or overseas trip, independent projects, and case competitions-into just sixteen months of study.

Students in both full-time and part-time programs are bowled over by the quality of the academic experience. With a name like Walton, it’s hardly a surprise that “the retail and supply chain management is highly recognized,” drawing many students already working in the field.

Departments and Concentrations

The Sam M. Walton College of Business at University of Arkansas--Fayetteville (Walton) offers these departments and concentrations: accounting, business analytics, economics, entrepreneurship, ethics, finance, health care administration, human resources management, international business, leadership, marketing, management information systems, portfolio management, supply chain management/logistics, and quantitative analysis/statistics and operations research.

Faculty and Research

The Sam M. Walton College of Business boasts a distinguished faculty, many of whom are recognized as leaders in their respective fields. The college emphasizes impactful research that addresses real-world challenges and advances business knowledge.

Notable Faculty

Varun Grover: Distinguished Professor of Information Systems and George & Boyce Billingsley Endowed Chair at the Department of Information Systems. He is one of the top four IS researchers globally and is ranked the 15th top scientist in Business Management by Research.com.
Mary Lacity: Distinguished Professor of Information Systems, Director of the Blockchain Center of Excellence, and Senior Editor for MIS Quarterly Executive. She is known for her research in automation, outsourcing and blockchain and is one of only three academics to ever be inducted into The International Association of Outsourcing Professionals Hall of Fame.
Matthew A. Waller: Former Dean, Sam M. Walton Leadership Chair in Business, and Professor of Supply Chain Management.
Rajiv Sabherwal: Distinguished Professor and Edwin & Karlee Bradberry Endowed Chair, Department of Information Systems.
Scot Burton: Distinguished Professor and Tyson Research Chair, Department of Marketing.
Vern J. Richardson: Distinguished Professor, Department of Accounting.
Christopher C. Rosen: Professor, Department of Management.

Research Centers and Initiatives

The college houses several research centers and initiatives, including:

The Donald W. Reynolds Center for Enterprise Development: This center focuses on fostering entrepreneurship and economic development.
Customer Centric Leadership Initiative: Founded by Andrew L. McLean, this initiative promotes customer-centric leadership principles and practices.
Applied Sustainability Center: The Applied Sustainability Center offers workshops and training courses to help professionals understand and implement sustainability as a strategy.

Tuition and Financial Aid

Its tuition is full-time: $615 per credit (in-state); full-time: $1,723 per credit (out-of-state); part-time: $615 per credit (in-state); part-time: $615 per credit (out-of-state); specialty master's: $615 per credit (in-state); and specialty master's: $1,723 per credit (out-of-state).

High school graduates who expect to enroll in Walton College are encouraged to apply for scholarships made available to freshmen by individuals, business firms, and organizations. Also available to freshmen, regardless of degree program, are freshmen academic scholarships. Current Walton College students may apply for both college and departmental scholarships beginning in January of each year for the following academic year.

Career Opportunities and Alumni

The Sam M. Walton College of Business provides students with numerous career opportunities and a strong alumni network. The college's location in Northwest Arkansas, near Walmart headquarters and numerous supplier companies, offers unique advantages for students seeking internships and jobs in retail and supply chain management.

Career Services

Walton offers a host of “great resources, like the career center, the writing center, and professional development classes,” which all contribute to the school’s excellent placement rate. One student raves, “The career services office has to be one of the best in the nation.” Not only do they provide career advice but they “will happily make calls on your behalf and are constantly engaging you in the process of finding a job.” For full-timers, “the Walton school does a great job of setting students up with internships,” and better yet, it’s “extremely easy to get a job after graduation at a great company.”

In recent years, over 141 companies recruited on the Walton campus, with students taking jobs at companies including Axion Corporation, Deloitte & Touche, General Mills, IBM, KPMG, J.B. Hunt Transport Services, NBC Universal, Newell Rubbermaid, Tyson Foods, Shell Oil, Spectrum Brands, USA Truck, and, of course, Walmart.

Alumni Network

Graduates of the Sam M. Walton College of Business have gone on to successful careers in various industries. The college's alumni network provides valuable connections and support for both current students and fellow graduates.

Student Life

University of Arkansas-Fayetteville provides a “rich cultural and academic atmo- sphere” in which to study, including “excellent facilities for MBA students.” Full-timers usually “spend a significant amount of time on campus,” studying, hanging out with friends, or, on game day, cheering on the Razorbacks; “As a part of the SEC, sports are a major event on campus.” Students in the EMBA program admit that they are “not that involved in school activities,” but they do make some time for networking: “A majority of the first and second year executive MBA students will all gather together at a local bar for food and drinks after our Saturday classes.”

The school draws students from “very diverse backgrounds,” though “the majority of us work with or for Walmart in some fashion.” Walton does an excellent job fostering friendships and networking between MBA candidates. A student shares, “By the end of orientation, I knew my way around the town, fun places to go, and the names and backgrounds of my entire class as well as my faculty/administration.” Of the warm atmosphere, another student adds, “As a woman, I feel incredibly welcomed into this business environment. Our class is fifty-fifty-a huge reason I chose U of A.”

Overall, “Northwest Arkansas is a very nice area to live and work.” With a population of around 75,000, “Fayetteville is the perfect size for a college town.

tags: #walton #college #of #business #overview