UAM to offer Ph.D. in forest resources
Dec. 9, 2025
By Hannah Moore
U of A System Division of Agriculture
Fast Facts:
- Program first of its kind in Arkansas
- Program supported by existing grants, faculty
- Graduates estimated to earn $67,000-$144,000
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MONTICELLO, Ark. — The University of Arkansas at Monticello will offer a Ph.D. in forest resources in the spring 2026 semester, following recent approval from the Higher Learning Commission.
The University of Arkansas System Board of Trustees approved the program in October 2024. In January 2025, the Arkansas Division of Higher Education Coordinating Board approved a Role and Scope change, allowing UAM to expand its graduate offerings to include doctoral degrees. The new program will be the first Ph.D. offering at UAM and the first Ph.D. in forest resources in Arkansas.
Arkansas has historically relied on out-of-state experts for faculty and research in forestry and natural resources. UAM is the only university in Arkansas with an accredited bachelor’s degree program in forestry and offers the state’s only master’s degree and graduate certificate in forestry. With the introduction of its new Ph.D. program, the university will provide the state with a comprehensive “ladder” of degrees in forestry and natural resources.
Programs include technical certificates and associate degrees from the UAM College of Technology-Crossett and the UAM College of Technology-McGehee, bachelor’s degrees, graduate certificates, master’s degrees and now, a doctoral degree from UAM. These educational pathways will allow students to enter programs at various levels and pursue advanced studies and careers in forestry and natural resources within the state.
Michael Blazier, dean of the College of Forestry, Agriculture and Natural Resources at UAM and director of the Arkansas Forest Resources Center for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, said the new program will benefit forestry and natural resources professions within Arkansas.
“Students will receive the highest level of mentoring from our faculty on research, teaching and outreach,” Blazier said. “Together with the faculty they apprentice with, they’ll bring new levels of innovations in forest management, ecology and economics to Arkansas. Students will graduate with the highest level of knowledge about the forest resources of Arkansas, which they’ll then take with them to educate the next generations of the forestry and natural resources workforce.”
The Ph.D. in forest resources is supported by 20 faculty members with expertise across multiple forestry and natural resource disciplines. UAM’s existing funding, including approximately $6 million in active grants, research endowments from private donors and a partnership with the Division of Agriculture, will allow the program to offer high-quality education and research opportunities without incurring significant additional costs. These resources ensure the program’s sustainability and effectiveness from the outset.
The new program will offer numerous benefits, including full tuition coverage for doctoral students through apprenticeships, with their stipends funded by research grants and university endowments. Graduates are expected to earn starting salaries from $67,000 to $144,000, providing a substantial return on investment. The state of Arkansas will also reap a return on investment from innovations developed through research and career earnings of graduates. Additionally, the program will enhance the productivity of local faculty and scientists, strengthen the state’s workforce and fostering a national network of UAM-trained professionals.
UAM is home to several important forestry-related centers, including the Arkansas Center for Forest Business and the Arkansas Forest Resources Center. The new Ph.D. program will integrate with these existing initiatives and benefit from the upcoming Arkansas Forest Health Research Center, scheduled for completion in summer 2026.
Peggy Doss, chancellor of UAM, noted the importance of the new program and new center.
“This is not just a new program of study and a new facility,” Doss said. “These developments represent a true beginning of a transformative chapter for both the University of Arkansas at Monticello and the entire state of Arkansas. As the first program of its kind in the state, it addresses the growing workforce and research needs of the forestry industry. It provides groundbreaking opportunities in forestry research, particularly through the new Arkansas Forest Health Research Center.
“This program is a critical step in meeting the state’s workforce development goals, equipping students with advanced skills and knowledge to lead in the forestry sector,” Doss said. “It also reflects UAM’s commitment to creating multiple pathways for students, enabling them to enter, advance and succeed at every level of their academic and professional journeys, while making meaningful contributions to their communities and the forestry industry.
“The new center will play a vital role in the success of the Ph.D. program by offering cutting-edge research facilities and fostering a collaborative environment for students to thrive in their studies and contribute to innovations in forest health and sustainability,” she said.
For more information about the new Ph.D. in forest resources, contact Michael Blazier at blazier@uamont.edu or 870-460-1152.
To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit www.uaex.uada.edu. Follow us on X and Instagram at @AR_Extension. To learn more about Division of Agriculture research, visit the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station website: https://aaes.uada.edu/. Follow on X at @ArkAgResearch. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit https://uada.edu/. Follow us on X at @AgInArk.
About the College of Forestry, Agriculture and Natural Resources and the Arkansas Forest Resources Center
The College of Forestry, Agriculture and Natural Resources, and the Arkansas Forest Resources Center, a University of Arkansas System Center of Excellence, brings together interdisciplinary expertise through a partnership between the University of Arkansas at Monticello and the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture. The College and Center are headquartered at the University of Arkansas at Monticello campus, but their programs range statewide with the mission of developing and delivering teaching, research, and extension programs that enhance and ensure the sustainability and productivity of forest-based natural resources and agricultural systems. Academic programs are delivered by the College of Forestry, Agriculture, and Natural Resources through the University of Arkansas at Monticello. Through the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, research is administered by the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station, and extension and outreach activities are coordinated by the Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service.
About the Division of Agriculture
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s mission is to strengthen agriculture, communities, and families by connecting trusted research to the adoption of best practices. Through the Agricultural Experiment Station and the Cooperative Extension Service, the Division of Agriculture conducts research and extension work within the nation’s historic land grant education system.
The Division of Agriculture is one of 20 entities within the University of Arkansas System. It has offices in all 75 counties in Arkansas and faculty on three campuses.
Pursuant to 7 CFR § 15.3, the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers all its Extension and Research programs and services (including employment) without regard to race, color, sex, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, sexual preference, pregnancy or any other legally protected status, and is an equal opportunity institution.
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Media Contact:
Hannah Moore
870-460-1073
mooreh@uamont.edu