About Public Policy

Vision/Mission

The Public Policy Ph.D. Program (PUBP) is an interdisciplinary learning community dedicated to achieving national and international recognition through the pursuit of academic excellence and the promotion of public policy analysis and practice that improves the lives of the people of Arkansas, the nation, and the world.

Values

  • Academic excellence
  • Freedom of inquiry and expression
  • Interdisciplinary collaboration
  • Social justice
  • Diversity and inclusion
  • Leadership
  • Outreach/Community service

Goals

The program will produce public policy scholars who are capable of making significant contributions to public policy knowledge.

The program will produce public policy scholars and practitioners who are capable of conducting and directing high-quality independent research.

The program will produce leaders who are able to analyze and influence public policy issues at the local, state, and national levels.

Specialized Fields of Study

You can pursue many fields of specialized study. Among the fields of specialized study are: Agricultural Policy, Community Development and Recreation Policy, Education Policy, Family Policy, Policy Management, Health Policy, and Policy Studies in Aging. More specializations are being developed. Contact us or check our web site for updates.

Course Work

The typical full-time student will take two years of course work followed by an in-depth study leading to a dissertation. Completion time for part-time students will vary depending on their course schedules. All students take a core set of policy studies courses. Students will meet with their advisors and faculty members to determine specialization electives.

Why Choose to Study Public Policy at the University of Arkansas?

  • Most diverse doctoral program at the University of Arkansas
  • Excellent placement record for program graduates
  • Student-faculty research collaborations
  • Sponsor of Policy Studies Journal