HOMEAcademicsExplore Academics

Find Your Purpose.

More than 20 undergraduate and graduate programs taught by faculty who know your name — and care about your future.

ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE SINCE 1877

Academic rigor meets real-world relevance.

At Philander Smith University, a small class size is not a limitation — it's a feature. Our students receive direct mentorship from faculty who are scholars, practitioners, and advocates. Every program is designed to connect classroom learning to social justice, career readiness, and community impact.

Explore Academics

photo-1606761568499-6d2451b23c66?q=80&w=1074&auto=format&fit=crop&ixlib=rb-4.1.0&ixid=M3wxMjA3fDB8MHxwaG90by1wYWdlfHx8fGVufDB8fHx8fA%3D%3D

ACADEMICS OVERVIEW

The Office for Academic Affairs supports Philander Smith University's mission.

photo-1758270703884-e1c40c43465f?crop=entropy&cs=tinysrgb&fit=max&fm=jpg&ixid=M3w3Nzg4Nzd8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHwxfHxCbGFjayUyMGNvbGxlZ2UlMjBzdHVkZW50cyUyMHN0dWR5aW5nJTIwdG9nZXRoZXIlMjBjbGFzc3Jvb218ZW58MXx8fHwxNzczNzcyNTExfDA&ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=80&w=1080&utm_source=figma&utm_medium=referral

UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMS

Philander Smith University offers 21 undergraduate majors across 5 core academic divisions.

photo-1573497701240-345a300b8d36?crop=entropy&cs=tinysrgb&fit=max&fm=jpg&ixid=M3w3Nzg4Nzd8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHwxfHxCbGFjayUyMHByb2Zlc3Npb25hbHMlMjBidXNpbmVzcyUyMG1lZXRpbmclMjBkaXNjdXNzaW9ufGVufDF8fHx8MTc3Mzc3MTM0NHww&ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=80&w=1080&utm_source=figma&utm_medium=referral

ASSOCIATE PROGRAMS

PSU Associate Programs prepares students for high-demand careers in the rapidly growing industries.

photo-1592392821486-71f028a00581?crop=entropy&cs=tinysrgb&fit=max&fm=jpg&ixid=M3w3Nzg4Nzd8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHwxfHxCbGFjayUyMG51cnNpbmclMjBzdHVkZW50JTIwbWVkaWNhbCUyMGhlYWx0aGNhcmUlMjB0cmFpbmluZ3xlbnwxfHx8fDE3NzM3NzI1MTJ8MA&ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=80&w=1080&utm_source=figma&utm_medium=referral

SCHOOL OF ALLIED AND PUBLIC HEALTH

The school proposes to deploy innovative strategies to address minority health disparities and to strengthen the pipeline of highly qualified, culturally competent nurses, rehabilitation counselors and allied health practitioners in Arkansas.

photo-1633504885008-f8fed592a06a?crop=entropy&cs=tinysrgb&fit=max&fm=jpg&ixid=M3w3Nzg4Nzd8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHwxfHxCbGFjayUyMHdvbWFuJTIwb25saW5lJTIwbGVhcm5pbmclMjBjb21wdXRlciUyMGVkdWNhdGlvbnxlbnwxfHx8fDE3NzM3NzI1MTN8MA&ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=80&w=1080&utm_source=figma&utm_medium=referral

CONTINUING EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL STUDIES

The Center for Continuing Education and Professional Studies at Philander Smith University strives to meet the demands of students in need of an accelerated degree program, weekend college credits, or an online degree.

photo-1583911860345-9ae84483d7af?crop=entropy&cs=tinysrgb&fit=max&fm=jpg&ixid=M3w3Nzg4Nzd8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHwxfHxCbGFjayUyMHN0dWRlbnRzJTIwc2NpZW5jZSUyMGxhYm9yYXRvcnklMjBleHBlcmltZW50JTIwcmVzZWFyY2h8ZW58MXx8fHwxNzczNzcyNTEzfDA&ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=80&w=1080&utm_source=figma&utm_medium=referral

DUAL DEGREE PROGRAMS

The 3/2 Engineering Program is an articulation agreement with the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville (UARK), and Philander Smith University (PSU).

photo-1759299615947-bc798076b479?crop=entropy&cs=tinysrgb&fit=max&fm=jpg&ixid=M3w3Nzg4Nzd8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHwxfHx1bml2ZXJzaXR5JTIwYnVpbGRpbmclMjBhcmNoaXRlY3R1cmUlMjBjYW1wdXMlMjBleHRlcmlvcnxlbnwxfHx8fDE3NzM3NzEzNTV8MA&ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=80&w=1080&utm_source=figma&utm_medium=referral

SPECIAL PROGRAMS

Learning and development extend far beyond the walls of the classroom.

photo-1758206523692-7e9f89bcab5e?crop=entropy&cs=tinysrgb&fit=max&fm=jpg&ixid=M3w3Nzg4Nzd8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHwxfHxmYWNlJTIwbWFzayUyMGNvdmlkJTIwc2FmZXR5JTIwaGVhbHRoY2FyZXxlbnwxfHx8fDE3NzM3NzEzNjR8MA&ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=80&w=1080&utm_source=figma&utm_medium=referral

COVID19 INFORMATION

Having heard some of your most frequently asked questions (FAQs), we have compiled and answered a few that we believe you will find helpful.

YOUR ACADEMIC JOURNEY

20+ majors. One Mission
Your Success.

Whether you're pre-med, a future CEO, a social worker, or an educator — PSU gives you the academic foundation and personal attention to thrive. Our faculty hold doctoral degrees, publish research, and show up to office hours.

FACULTY SPOTLIGHT

Scholars Who Know Your Name.

"I don't just teach political theory — I teach my students how to change the systems they'll walk into after graduation."

Dr. Angela Washington

Associate Professor, Division of Social Sciences · 14 years at PSU

READY TO BEGIN?

Your academic journey starts here.

Applications are open for Fall 2026. Join a community of scholars committed to academic excellence and social justice.