Doctoral Students Satisfied With University Of Arkansas Education, Survey Finds

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - Most University of Arkansas doctoral alumni feel their degree programs prepared them well for future careers, according to a survey of recent graduates.

About 88 percent of the graduates who responded to a recent survey felt they were well or very well prepared by their doctoral program for their current or future jobs. Further, of the 226 alumni who responded to the survey, all but six were gainfully employed.

"This demonstrates that our programs are nationally competitive," said Collis Geren, dean of the graduate school and vice provost for research. "Our alumni have been very successful."

The survey was sent to all doctoral alumni for whom addresses were available from the classes of 1996 through 2000. Forty-six percent of those contacted responded.

About 60 percent of respondents work at educational institutions. About 20 percent work in private industry or government. And about 8 percent have pursued additional education since graduating from the University.

Although these doctoral graduates work in 42 of the 50 states and the District of Columbia, as well as in South Korea, China, Taiwan and England, one fourth of doctoral graduates have remained in Arkansas to pursue careers. The next most common place of employment is Texas, followed by Missouri.

Eighty one percent of responding doctoral graduates said they would attend the University of Arkansas for their doctorate if they had to do it again. They cited the quality of programs, research and course work as reasons for their enthusiasm.

More than 80 percent of doctoral alumni also cited the high quality of their advisors, and the University library reasons their graduate education prepared them for their current positions.

In addition, about 85 percent of doctoral alumni reported that they were satisfied or very satisfied with their current careers. In less than a decade, these alumni have already amassed patents, research awards and an array of recognition, publications and federal and private grants.

"These encouraging results reflect our graduate school’s strong foundation," Geren said. "Our faculty have provided—and will continue to provide—the guidance graduate students need to succeed."

The Survey Research Center conducted the survey, contacting alumni through the graduate school and the colleges of agricultural, food and life sciences, arts and sciences, business administration, education and health professions and engineering. Of the 461 doctoral alumni surveyed, 46 percent, or 226, responded.

The survey was conducted as part of a review of the 28 doctoral programs that were in existence prior to 1997 as mandated by the Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board and the Arkansas Department of Higher Education.