Frequently Asked Questions

How do I apply?

Applications are submitted online via the Graduate School application portal. You can find more detailed information on our Admission Requirements page.

Is the Doctor of Philosophy program in Curriculum and Instruction offered online?

No. The Ph.D. Program is accredited as an on-campus program, which means that students cannot take more than 50 percent of their credits online when completing their degree. All required courses are offered on campus, though some of courses in Areas of Interest are offered online. The number of online courses depends largely upon your chosen Area of Interest. Educational Technology and Special Education have numerous online offerings, while others have few.

Is the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) required?

Yes, graduate applicants at the University of Arkansas are required to take the GRE and submit scores to the Graduate School.

Is there a minimum required GRE school for admission to the Ph.D. Program?

No. A score in the 50th percentile or above makes a student eligible for expedited admission via the Graduate Coordinator. For students with scores below the 50th percentile, the Graduate Admissions Committee takes a careful look at all elements of the application to determine if the student is admissible to the Ph.D. Program.

How long does it take to find out if I'm admitted?

Students with GRE scores above the 50th percentile will receive expedited admission pending a suitable advisor match within the department. Applications that go through Admissions Committee review are handled approximately two weeks after the application deadline.

Can I transfer in coursework from another university and apply it to my Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction?

Transfer credit is allowed to fulfill the course requirements of the doctoral degree at the discretion and request of the department/program.  All dissertation hours and the candidacy exam must be taken at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville.  If sufficient hours have been earned at the University of Arkansas to meet the requirements of the degree, additional hours will not be transferred.  Transfer of course work is done at the end of the student's program.

Are there graduate assistantships available?

Short answer — yes. GA positions, however, are limited and very competitive. All new students are welcome to apply for graduate assistantships. 

How many credits does the Ph.D. program include?

The Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction requires students to earn 102 credits post-bachelor's degree. These credits include credits earned for a master's degree. The typical master's is 33 credits, so 102-33 = 69 credits required. Of these 69 credits, 18 must be dissertation credits, so 69-18 = 51 course credits required. As the typical course is 3 credits, 51 / 3 = 17 can be the number of courses the average student will take prior to their dissertation.

How long does it take to complete the Ph.D.?

The answer to that question depends entirely upon how many courses you are comfortable taking per term as well as how long it takes you to pass the Qualifying Exams and complete your dissertation. It is possible to earn a Ph.D. in approximately four years, but some students take upwards of seven years.

Is there a program of study available?

Yes, that PDF is on our Applications, Forms and Resources page.

When are the courses offered? Is it possible to work during the day and still attend classes?

Yes. Many of our Ph.D. students are practicing educators. All of the required core courses are offered either in the evening, during the summer, or online.