University of Arkansas Grantham: A 75-Year Legacy of Service, Resilience, and Online Innovation
A History Born from Service
The University of Arkansas Grantham (UA Grantham) is a public online university based in Little Rock, Arkansas, with a remarkable history that spans 75 years. Its origins trace back to 1951, when World War II veteran and engineer Donald Grantham founded the Grantham Radio License School in Los Angeles. His mission was straightforward yet profound: to help returning servicemembers transition into meaningful civilian careers by equipping them with the skills and certifications needed in the growing fields of electronics and communications. This student-centered philosophy—rooted in service to those who served—became the foundation upon which the institution was built.
Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, the school expanded, opening additional campuses in Washington, D.C.; Hollywood, California; Seattle, Washington; and Kansas City, Missouri. In 1961, the institution received formal recognition from the U.S. Department of Education and achieved accreditation from the Distance Education Accrediting Commission. By 1968, it had been renamed the Grantham College of Engineering, reflecting its growing academic ambitions. The 1970s brought associate degrees, and the 1980s saw the introduction of bachelor’s programs in electronics engineering and computer science. Buy fake USA diploma online.
Pioneering Online Education and Overcoming Adversity
In a bold and forward-thinking move, Grantham moved its entire degree catalog online in 2000—long before remote learning became mainstream. This decision positioned the institution as a pioneer in digital education, ready to serve 21st-century learners in ways that traditional institutions were only beginning to explore. Two years later, in 2002, the school officially became Grantham University.
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The university’s resilience was put to the ultimate test in 2005 when Hurricane Katrina struck its main campus in Slidell, Louisiana, destroying approximately eighty percent of its facilities. Yet, within days, more than 140 employees had the university operational again from temporary offices. This remarkable recovery—relocating to Kansas City, Missouri, and continuing to serve students with minimal disruption—became a defining moment in the institution’s history.
A New Chapter: Joining the University of Arkansas System
The most significant transformation came in 2021, when the Board of Trustees of the University of Arkansas System voted to acquire Grantham University. The acquisition, completed for one dollar, brought the institution under the umbrella of Arkansas’s premier public higher education system and merged it with the system’s existing eVersity online program. Renamed the University of Arkansas Grantham, the institution became the only member of the UA System to offer its entire program catalog exclusively through online learning.
Academic Programs and Accreditation
Today, UA Grantham offers more than 50 degree and certificate programs through four colleges: the College of Science, Engineering, and Technology; the College of Business; the College of Humanities and Social Sciences; and the College of Health Professions. Programs span associate, bachelor’s, and master’s levels across fields including business administration, criminal justice, healthcare administration, information technology, and electronics engineering technology.
The university holds accreditation from the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC), which is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. In July 2026, UA Grantham earned reaccreditation through June 2031 following a comprehensive review of every aspect of the institution. Additionally, its Bachelor of Science in Electronics Engineering Technology has been ABET-accredited since 2014—one of only 48 such online programs nationwide to hold this prestigious designation.
Serving Adult Learners and Military Students
With approximately 5,436 students, UA Grantham is specifically designed for adult learners, military service members, and working professionals. All programs are delivered 100% online with eight-week terms and monthly start dates, allowing students to balance academic goals with professional and personal responsibilities. The university provides extensive student support, including dedicated academic advisors, online tutoring through Tutor.com, and comprehensive digital library resources. Since its founding, UA Grantham has been committed to serving those who serve—military students have been at the heart of its mission for 75 years.
Looking Forward
From a small radio license school founded by a veteran to a fully online public university within one of the nation’s respected university systems, UA Grantham’s 75-year journey is a testament to resilience, innovation, and unwavering commitment to student success. As it celebrates its 75th anniversary in 2026, the university continues to fulfill its mission: providing quality, accessible, affordable, and professionally relevant education in a continuously changing global society.