University Description
Founded in 1877, Philander Smith College is a small, privately supported, historically Black, four-year liberal arts institution related to the Board of Higher Education and Ministry of the United Methodist Church. The College offers four degrees: the Bachelor of Arts, the Bachelor of Science, the Bachelor of Business Administration, and the Bachelor of Social Work. "The College's mission is to graduate academically accomplished students, grounded as advocates for social justice, determined to change the world for the better." Philander Smith College, the only United Negro College Fund member institution in Arkansas, strives to provide a quality education for all regardless of race, religion, sex, national origin or ethnic background. . Read MoreUniversity History
Philander Smith College was officially founded in 1877 under the name of Walden Seminary to provide educational opportunities for emancipated slaves west of the Mississippi River. In 1882 the school was renamed Philander Smith College in honor of the financial contributions of Adeline Smith, widow of Philander Smith. It was chartered as a four-year college in 1883 and conferred its first bachelor's degree in 1888. In 1933, it merged the assets of the George R. Smith College in Sedalia, Missouri, which burned down in 1925. In 1943, Philander Smith was accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. During the Civil Rights Movement, Philander Smith College was a pioneer in activism: many of its students engaged in nonviolent resistance against segregation laws or customs (such as sitting in at "whites-only" lunch counters).Academic Programs
- Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Administration
- Early Childhood Education and Teaching
- General Biology
- General Business Administration and Management
- General Chemistry
- General English Language and Literature
- General Mathematics
- General Political Science and Government
- General Psychology
- Social Work
- Sociology
- Early Childhood Education and Teaching
- General Biology
- General Business Administration and Management
- Social Work
- General Computer Science
- General Mathematics
- Middle School Education and Teaching
- Middle School Education and Teaching
- General Business Administration and Management
- Biological and Physical Sciences
- General English Language and Literature
- General Chemistry
- General Computer Science
- General Political Science and Government
- Sociology
- General Biology
- General Chemistry
- General Political Science and Government
- Social Work
- Early Childhood Education and Teaching
- Biological and Physical Sciences
- Early Childhood Education and Teaching
- General Biology
- General Political Science and Government
- General Psychology
- Social Work
- Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Administration
- General Psychology
- General Business Administration and Management
- General Computer Science
- General English Language and Literature
- Social Work
- Sociology
- General Philosophy and Religious Studies
- General Philosophy and Religious Studies
- General Business Administration and Management
- General Computer Science
- General English Language and Literature
- General Mathematics
- General Psychology
- Sociology
- Sociology
- Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Administration
- Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Administration
- Biological and Physical Sciences
Sports Offered
- Basketball (M)
- Cross Country (M)
- Indoor Track and Field (M)
- Outdoor Track and Field (M)
- Baseball (M)
- Basketball (W)
- Cross Country (W)
- Indoor Track and Field (W)
- Outdoor Track and Field (W)
- Volleyball (W)
Greek Life
- Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority
- Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity
- Delta Sigma Theta Sorority
- Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity
- Omega Psi Phi Fraternity
- Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity
- Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority
- Zeta Phi Beta Sorority
- Iota Phi Theta Fraternity

Admissions office
Year Founded
1877
University Mascot
Panther
Address
Philander Smith College 900 W. Daisy Bates Drive Little Rock, AR 72202-3799
Phone number
(501)375-9845