Transition Studies

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Transition Studies offers a welcoming and supportive environment that helps students successfully transition to the university. It serves as an academic home for students who show strong potential for success at Arkansas State, even if their test scores or high school GPA do not yet meet the criteria for unconditional admission.

Important Links

For new A-State students
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New Student Orientation

New Student Orientation is required for all incoming first-year students. Signed up yet?

New Student Orientation

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University Housing

Are you planning to live in on campus?  Click on the following link if you need information or to complete an application through the A-State Housing Portal.

University Housing

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Financial Aid & Scholarships

Do you plan to use financial aid to help you with college costs?  Find out more here:
Financial Aid and Scholarships  
How to fill out the FAFSA form

Frequently Asked Questions

All about admission through Transition Studies

At Transition Studies, the emphasis is on meeting the needs of students admitted through our program and helping them to be successful. We take a personal interest in you and work with you to make the most of your college experience. Your Making Connections instructor is also your academic advisor. He or she meets with you individually and monitors your progress during your first year. If difficulties arise, your academic advisor will work with the Transition Studies Student Services Coordinator to identify the resources and services that can best help you.

You must maintain a minimum grade point average of a 2.0 with a C or above in developmental courses (if your test scores require that you take them) for the two semesters that you are in Transition Studies. Failure to meet these requirements will result in probation or dismissal from the program.

You will be expected to meet the A-State attendance policy for freshmen and sophomores, meet with your advisor and instructors as requested and attend any required activities. If you are having difficulty in a class you will be expected to follow through on tutoring, supplemental instruction, study groups or other activities that may be employed to help you get back on track.

You are officially listed as undecided while you are in Transition Studies. However, your advisor will work with you to ensure that you are taking the correct courses for your planned major if you have one. All students at A-State take Making Connections their first semester. If you have below a 19 on your ACT or the equivalent in math, reading or English, you will be required to take developmental courses in those areas.

If you have one, two or no developmental courses to take, the rest of your schedule will consist of general education courses such as English Composition, US History, College Algebra, Psychology, etc in addition to Making Connections. Class enrollment hours and course selection are limited while you are in the Transition Studies program.

Transition Studies students take only one course that is not required for all other A-State students which is a two-hour continuation of Making Connections during second semester.

Transition Studies students are no different than any other freshman. You may live in any of the appropriate freshman residence halls and request any roommate that you wish. You are strongly encouraged to participate in campus activities, but obviously not to the extent that it has a negative impact on your academic life.

Even if you have already been admitted through Transition Studies, you can be regularly admitted if you meet the ACT composite of a 21 or equivalent and a 2.75 GPA. You will be notified by the Office of Admissions of your status change.

Transition Studies students pay the same tuition and fees as all other A-State students, but there is an additional one-time fee of $250 to help defray the cost of the extra services that are provided to students admitted through Transition Studies.

Transition Studies

Connect with us!

Room: 133
Dean B. Ellis Library

Postal Address:
PO Box 1090
State University, AR  72467

Shipping Address:
Learning Commons
322 University Loop Circle
Jonesboro, AR  72401


Our Staff

[departments/department='Transition Studies']
Toccara Carter
Director of Transition Studies
(870) 972-2080
Rasheda Hamilton
Transition Studies Coordinator
(870) 972-2080
Sabrina Cravens
Developmental Writing Instructor
(870) 972-2080
Lisa Ferrell
Developmental Reading Instructor
(870) 972-2080