Few colleges, and none in this area, offer a Ph.D. in urban affairs and public policy, but The University of Memphis may soon fill that void.
For students interested in city management and development, the doctoral program would give them extra research skills and better prepare them for future jobs, according to Stan Hyland, urban affairs professor.
"The program came from three factors: a need, an interest and a gap," he said.
"First, cities need highly trained workers to direct urban planning, guide municipalities and fill other management roles. Then, there must be students interested in taking on those challenges."
The Ph.D. program would bridge the gap.
A committee of professors at The U of M from various feeder programs like criminal justice and public administration presented the idea to an enthusiastic Dean of Arts and Sciences and the Provost. They are now in the stages of planning the programs and analyzing costs.
The degree would be built out of the School of Urban Affairs and Public Policy. There are five units in SUAPP including city and regional planning, the department of criminology and criminal justice, health administration, public and non-profit administration and social work.
However, quite a few of The University's programs would fit under the umbrella of the Ph.D. including anthropology, political science and sociology.
"The emphasis (of the program) would be to provide theory and methodological skills to make a difference in the area," Hyland said.
Many of the classes would focus on Memphis and generating a better quality of life in this city.
"This region needs more highly trained administrators," he said.
According to Hyland, the program can inject powerful and capable planners, analysts and managers into the civic structure of Memphis.
Basically, more graduates with more training equals better people filling positions in the city.
Wayne Pitts, criminal justice professor, surveyed master students at The U of M and other nearby schools to gauge how many students would be interested in applying for the program.
"The surveys have shown overwhelming support of the idea," he said. "There won't be any trouble filling up the program."
Half the students surveyed wanted to pursue a doctoral degree in the subject, and one-third were interested the program described by The U of M.
Potential students came from a variety of areas of study like anthropology, political science and sociology. They were also spread out among colleges through Tennessee and surrounding states.
"It will really benefit this community. As an urban University, we need to serve this area," Pitts said.
Many of the applicants agreed. Seventy-five percent believed the Mid-South needs a program like this.
A final decision on the program's future should be made in the fall.
