Graduate Program

Graduate Programs

The Department of Poultry Science offers master's and doctoral degrees in various discipline areas.

Disciplines

  • Genetics
  • Immunology
  • Microbiology
  • Nutrition
  • Parasitology
  • Pathology
  • Meat Science/Product Technology
  • Poultry health, management and physiology

 

Graduate Coordinators

Dr. Walter Bottje

Phone: 479-575-2575

Email: wbottje@uark.edu

 

Dr. Xiaolin (Jack) Sun

Phone: 479-575-2322

Email: xiaolins@uark.edu

Application Process

Before applying for admission make sure that you have a current Graduate Record Exam (GRE) score.

  1. Apply to the University of Arkansas Graduate School
  2. Based on your interests, email potential faculty mentors and start a conversation to determine if you have a good match in personality and interests.  
  3. After you have secured a mentor, the mentor will inform the poultry science graduate program coordinator and your application will continue on the approval process.
    • If a graduate faculty adviser does not agree to mentor you, then unfortunately your application will be denied.
  4. If you have any questions, please contact the poultry science graduate program coordinators: Walter Bottje (wbottje@uark.edu) or  Jack Sun xiaoluns@uark.edu.

Master of Science Degree Requirements

 Minimum 30 credit hours post-baccalaureate:

  • 24 hours of course work
  • 6 hours of thesis
  • No more than 12 hours or 3 courses at the 4000 level can be used for credit.
  • A maximum of 4 hours of 5000 Special Problems can be used for M.S. degree requirements.
  • At least three courses should be taken in the Poultry Science Department. At least 1 seminar is required for all M.S. degree candidates.
  • A minimum GPA of 3.0 is required for the M.S. degree.
  • All M.S. candidates must complete a thesis based on their research and pass a final comprehensive exam with emphasis on thesis research. In addition, each student must write one manuscript suitable for publication in a refereed journal.

 

Doctorate of Philosophy Degree Requirements

Minimum of 72 graduate semester credit hours post-baccalaureate and/or 42 graduate credit hours post-M.S.

  • A Ph.D. candidate bypassing the M.S. degree must take at least 36 hours of course work approved by the students advisory committee with at least 24 hours of 5000 and 6000 level course work excluding Special Problems.
  • No more than 12 hours or 3 courses at the 4000 level can be used for credit.
  • A maximum of 4 hours of 5000 Special Problems can be used for Ph.D. degree requirements. Students in the Ph.D. program who have an M.S. degree must take at least 12 hours of 5000 and 6000 level course work excluding Special Problems.
    • If not taken previously, a 3 hour statistics course is required for graduation for all Ph.D. candidates.
  • A minimum of 2 seminars is required of all Ph.D. candidates.
  • All Ph.D. degree candidates must take 18 hours of dissertation research. Admission to candidacy requires the candidate to take a comprehensive written exam as determined by members of the Graduate Advisory Committee of the student and a preliminary oral exam given by the Graduate Advisory Committee. Any student that fails the admission to candidacy exams will not be permitted to reschedule the exams for a six month period. A second failure will lead to termination from the program.
  • A final oral examination will be taken that is a defense of the dissertation.
  • A minimum GPA of 3.0 is required for the Ph.D. degree.
  • Two manuscripts suitable for publication in a refereed journal are required for each Ph.D. student to graduate. These papers will be evaluated by the Graduate Advisory Committee for comments and approval.

 All potential graduate students are encouraged to review the requirements and resources at http://grad.uark.edu

Graduate Assistantships

Screening of graduate applications desiring departmental financial assistance will begin on March 15 each year; therefore, the deadline is March 14.

  • Initial screening will be based on student GRE scores and cumulative grade point average.
  • We have a limited number of assistantships; therefore, it is a very competitive process.  The sooner you have your application approved and a mentor serving as your advocate for funding, the better.
  • Typical assistantships are for ¼ time or ½ time, which equates to 10 and 20 hours of departmental work per week, respectively.
  •  Specific wages, benefits, and responsibilities will be stated in student’s letter of offer.