Black River Technical College

Black River Technical College is a public two-year college in Arkansas that serves Northeast Arkansas and Southeast Missouri. It offers college courses, career training and workforce training. Its mission is to change lives through quality academic and career education that helps the community around it.

The school began as Black River Vocational Technical School and was founded in 1971. It opened its doors on February 26, 1973, with 38 students in six programs. It was renamed Black River Technical College in 1991. A Board of Trustees governs the college. In 1995, the City of Paragould invited the college to teach classes there. Today it has a campus in Pocahontas and a location in Paragould. About 2,500 students enroll each year.

The college has an open admissions policy. Students can take college coursework and choose from program majors in business, general education and agriculture, technical programs, and nursing and allied health. The college also runs a Career and Technical Center. High school students can take concurrent and dual enrollment classes. Adults can study for the GED through adult education. Students can also transfer directly to universities or take online career programs.

The college has two service academies. Its fire science program trains professional and volunteer firefighters and fire administrators. Its Law Enforcement Training Academy is the only college-affiliated police training academy in Arkansas.

Black River also trains workers for local employers. Its workforce training team builds customized training for companies. It lists regular courses and an upcoming course calendar. It works with the Greene County Industrial Training Council. Companies can also schedule the use of college facilities and look for financial support for training.

Student support includes advising, tutoring, a testing center, a library and career services. The college also offers accessibility services, veteran affairs support and a food pantry. Students can get help with financial aid, FAFSA forms, scholarships and payment plans. Instructors and students usually work in small groups, which helps students build a good learning relationship with their teachers. The college lists its status as accredited.

Services

• College coursework
• Career and Technical Center
• Concurrent and dual enrollment
• GED and adult education
• Nursing and allied health
• Fire science program
• Law Enforcement Training Academy
• Customized workforce training
• Online career programs
• University direct transfer