Philander Smith University

Philander Smith University is a private historically Black university located in Little Rock, Arkansas. Founded in 1877, it is affiliated with the United Methodist Church and is a member of the United Negro College Fund. The university offers undergraduate degrees in liberal arts, business, social work, education, and the sciences, along with a Master of Business Administration program. Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, Philander Smith University serves students seeking a faith-informed liberal arts education in an urban setting. Its campus is situated near downtown Little Rock, and it attracts students interested in social justice, community engagement, and careers in public service, business, and health-related fields.

Philander Smith University was founded in 1877 in Little Rock, Arkansas, originally as Walden Seminary. Established to provide educational opportunities for formerly enslaved African Americans west of the Mississippi River, the institution was supported by the Methodist Episcopal Church. In 1883 it was chartered as a four-year college, and it conferred its first bachelor’s degree in 1888. The first president of Philander Smith University, Rev. Thomas Mason, led the institution during its early development. Over the twentieth century, Philander Smith expanded its campus, gained accreditation from the North Central Association, and strengthened its liberal arts curriculum. In November 2022, the Higher Learning Commission approved its first graduate program, the Master of Business Administration. On August 1, 2023, Philander Smith College officially transitioned to Philander Smith University, reflecting institutional growth and expanded academic offerings in central Arkansas.