Shape the Future: Earn a Fully Funded Ph.D. in Education Policy

Does spending more on schools actually improve student outcomes? Why is it so hard to keep great teachers in the classroom? Does school choice work? How can we close learning gaps? And, for that matter, is a college degree still worth the investment? 

Honors students who like questions with complicated answers are invited to "Shape the Future: Earn a Fully Funded Ph.D. in Education Policy" from 4-5 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 15, in GEAR 258.  

"With inspiring mentorship and hands-on preparation for the job market, this Ph.D. program is a great choice for anyone looking to make a difference," said Kate Mamiseishvili, dean of the College of Education and Health Professions. "Students get to work alongside our world-class faculty on research that is shaping the future of K-12 education across Arkansas and beyond. If you are looking for a program that will help you develop the expertise and skills needed to turn your ideas into impact, this is the program for you." 

Hosted by the Honors College and College of Education and Health Professions, the event will introduce students to the Ph.D. in Education Policy in the Department of Education Reform and to a field where asking hard questions is only the beginning. Faculty and students use data and rigorous research to find answers that can shape education policy and improve people's lives. 

The four-year doctoral program puts students into high-impact, data-driven research beginning in their first year. Along the way, they develop skills in data analysis, research, writing and presenting; collaborate with faculty; work with policymakers and practitioners; and have opportunities to present their research at national and international conferences. 

"Some of the most important questions in education still don't have clear answers," said Harry Anthony Patrinos, head of the Department of Education Reform and 21st Century Endowed Chair in Education Policy. "That's what makes this field so exciting. If you are curious, comfortable questioning conventional wisdom and want your research to matter beyond the university, then education policy is a great place to build a career." 

For honors students who enjoy digging into a problem, challenging assumptions and following the evidence wherever it leads, education policy offers a way to turn those instincts into a career. Graduates work in public service, academia, nonprofits, philanthropy and think tanks. 

And there's another reason to take a look: the Ph.D. is fully funded. The Department of Education Reform has provided funding to every student in its doctoral program, with funding renewable for up to four years. 

About the Honors College: The University of Arkansas Honors College was established in 2002 and brings together high-achieving undergraduate students and the university's top professors to share transformative learning experiences. Each year the Honors College awards fellowships that provide $80,000 over four years, and more than $1 million in undergraduate research and study abroad grants. The Honors College is nationally recognized for the high caliber of students it admits and graduates. Honors students enjoy small, in-depth classes, and programs are offered in all disciplines, tailored to students' academic interests, with interdisciplinary collaborations encouraged. All Honors College graduates have engaged in mentored research.