Site title "Public Policy PhD Program"
Collage including a photo of children working on a group project, and a photo of a teacher at the head of a classroom.

Specialization in Education Policy

The education policy specialization is for those students interested in a career in educational policymaking, research, or administration.  Students in the Education Policy Specialization will examine how K-12 and/or higher education policy is designed and implemented in the United States.  Students will develop a working knowledge of policymaking frameworks to examine major education policies of current interest and debate key policy issues that arise at each level of government.

Specialization Faculty

  • Barbara C. Gartin, Ed.D. (University of Georgia), Professor of Special Education
  • Jay P. Greene, Ph.D. (Harvard University), Associate Professor, Education Reform
  • Felicia Lincoln, Ph.D. (University of Pennsylvania), Language and Education, Associate Professor, Curriculum and Instruction
  • Christopher J. Lucas, Ph.D. (Ohio State University), Professor, Education Foundations
  • Michael T. Miller, Ed.D. (University of Nebraska), Professor, Community and Human Resources (Continuing and Postsecondary Education)
  • John W. Murry, Jr., Ed.D. (University of Arkansas), Associate Professor, Higher Education
  • Gary W. Ritter, Ph.D. (University of Pennsylvania), Associate Professor, Education Reform
  • Tom E.C. Smith, (Ed.D., Texas Tech University) University Professor, College of Education and Health Professions, Curriculum and Instruction.
  • Ronna C. Turner, Ph.D. (University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign), Associate Professor, Educational Research

Specialization Coursework

Degree Conferred: Ph.D. (PUBP).  The Requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Public Policy consists of a minimum of 65 hours including: 22 hours of core requirements, 12 hours of methods courses, 12 hours of specialization electives, and 18 hours of dissertation research.

The education specialization thus requires 12 hours, based on the following guidelines:

  1. EDFD 5683 Issues in Education Policy (3 hours)
  2. Three (3) hours to be selected from History or Philosophy of Education, including:
    1. EDFD 5303: Historical Foundations of Modern Education
    2. EDFD 5353: Philosophy of Education
    3. HIED 5083:  History and Philosophy of Higher Education
  3. A minimum of six (6) hours of course work to be approved by the student’s advisory committee related to Legal, Governance, or Administrative Policy Issues, from the following areas:
    1. EDAD:  Educational Administration (K-12 education)
    2. HIED:  Higher Education (postsecondary education)
  4. Because flexibility is an important characteristic of the program, other related courses may serve to fulfill these requirements, as long as the student's committee is in agreement.

For more information on the Education Policy Specialization, please contact:

  • For info regarding K-12 Education: contact: Tom E.C. Smith, 213 Peabody Hall, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR. 72701 575-3326, tecsmith@uark.edu
  • For info regarding Higher Education / Administrative Track: contact: Mike T. Miller, 100 Graduate Education Building, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701, 575-3582, mtmille@uark.edu