what to do with a phd in public policy

The Fall 2025 Graduate Program Application is open! Apply by the early action deadline on October 3, 2024.

The Ph.D. program at Harris Public Policy prepares students for careers in academia, industry, and government. It emphasizes a rigorous foundation in microeconomics, econometrics, and political economy, along with in-depth study of particular substantive areas associated with policy and policy-making. The program allows students to develop individualized and innovative courses of study in which they work closely with faculty members of the School and the University.

Consistent with the highly quantitative and analytic nature of the Harris School's Ph.D. degree, Harris has categorized the degree under a code which is currently on the DHS STEM list . Students on F-1 visas who have earned a degree that has been designated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as a STEM degree may be eligible to apply for a 24-month extension of their post-completion optional practical training (OPT) so long as they meet all eligibility criteria at the time of application.

Ph.D. Program Requirements

Get information about the curriculum and academic requirements for the Ph.D. in Public Policy Program.

If you have questions about the Harris degree requirements, email the Harris Dean of Students Office at  [email protected] . Policies on the results of not meeting these requirements can be found on the Harris policies page .

Ph.D. Candidates on the Job Market

Meet the Ph.D. program’s current job market candidates.

Ph.D. Placements

See where our graduates go on to make an impact.

Ph.D. Workshop

Engage with our students' research.

Program Details

Director of graduate studies.

Steven Durlauf , Professor ([email protected])

Durlauf's research spans many topics in microeconomics and macroeconomics. His most important substantive contributions involve the areas of poverty, inequality and economic growth. Much of his research has attempted to integrate sociological ideas into economic analysis.

Associate Directors

Yana Gallen , Assistant Professor ([email protected])

Eyal Frank , Assistant Professor  ([email protected] )

Dean of Students

Kate Shannon Biddle ([email protected])

Program Director

Barbara Williams ([email protected])

"Here the Client is Truth"

Start making a difference today. Request Info Apply Now

Recent News

Debate lives up to the hype, ‘there’s only bad options’: expert says city hiring freeze is the best of the worst, presidential debate tuesday, here's what you can expect, upcoming events, get to know harris a virtual information session, coffee chat in madison, wi.

Valencia Coffee 799 University Ave Madison , WI 53715 United States

Get to Know Harris! Public Sector Scholarship

You might also be interested in....

Student Profile: Carrie Collins, MPP Class of 2024

Alumni Profile: Eloísa Ávila-Uribe, MACRM’23

Alumni Profile: Alena Stern, MSCAPP’19

Student Profile: Raul Leon, MACRM Class of 2024

• How to Apply
• Why Public Policy
• Financial Aid
• Academic Advising
• Disability Resources
• Room Reservations
• Academic Calendar
• Faculty Resources
• Faculty Access
• Human Resources
• News and Events
• Alumni Directory
• Get Involved

• Public Policy
• Introduction

Harvard Griffin GSAS strives to provide students with timely, accurate, and clear information. If you need help understanding a specific policy, please contact the office that administers that policy.

• Application for Degree
• Credit for Completed Graduate Work
• Ad Hoc Degree Programs
• Dissertations
• English Language Proficiency
• African and African American Studies
• American Studies
• Anthropology
• Architecture, Landscape Architecture, and Urban Planning
• Molecular and Cellular Biology
• Organismic and Evolutionary Biology
• Biological Sciences in Public Health
• Biostatistics
• Business Administration
• Business Economics
• Byzantine Studies
• Celtic Languages and Literatures
• Chemical Biology
• Chemical Physics
• Chemistry and Chemical Biology
• Comparative Literature
• Division of Medical Sciences
• Earth and Planetary Sciences
• East Asian Languages and Civilizations
• Engineering and Applied Sciences
• Film and Visual Studies
• Germanic Languages and Literatures
• Health Policy
• History of Art and Architecture
• History of Science
• Human Evolutionary Biology
• Inner Asian and Altaic Studies
• Linguistics
• Mathematics
• Middle Eastern Studies
• Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations
• Organizational Behavior
• Political Economy and Government
• Population Health Sciences
• Quantum Science and Engineering
• Religion, The Study of
• Romance Languages and Literatures
• Slavic Languages and Literatures
• Social Policy
• South Asian Studies
• Systems, Synthetic, and Quantitative Biology
• Secondary Fields
• Year of Graduate Study (G-Year)
• Master's Degrees
• Grade and Examination Requirements
• Conduct and Safety
• Financial Aid
• Non-Resident Students
• Registration
• Residence Halls
• Student Groups

Questions about these requirements? See the contact info at the bottom of the page. 

The Public Policy PhD is awarded by the Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (Harvard Griffin GSAS) but is administered by the Higher Committee on Public Policy.  Students enroll in one of four tracks: Economics, Judgment and Decision Making, Politics and Institutions, or Science, Technology and Policy.

The economics track in the PhD program in public policy provides a curriculum for doctoral students seeking rigorous disciplinary training, with a focus on applying the tools of economics to the study of major public policy issues.  Graduates will be prepared for academic teaching and research positions in schools of public policy, economics and other disciplinary departments, as well as policy positions in national governments and international institutions, nongovernmental organizations, and in some cases, various roles in the private sector. HKS has a strong core of faculty specializing in a diverse range of subfields of economics including labor, public and applied microeconomics topics, behavioral economics and decision sciences, environmental economics, international trade, economic development, and other subjects. The program embeds formal economics training within a unique interdisciplinary atmosphere of scholars and practitioners who are working on problems of practice in a wide range of settings. In addition, the PhD program offers teaching and research opportunities for students with leading scholars at Harvard Kennedy School (HKS) and elsewhere at Harvard.

Judgment and Decision Making

The judgment and decision making track in the PhD program in public policy provides a curriculum for doctoral students seeking rigorous interdisciplinary training in psychological science, behavioral economics, and decision science, with a focus on understanding and improving public policy.  A typical program of study includes emphasis on descriptive and normative approaches as well as prescriptive interventions. Graduates will be prepared for academic teaching and research positions in public policy schools, interdisciplinary programs (e.g., management, decision science), and traditional behavioral science departments (e.g., psychology) as well as for analytic positions in industry, think tanks, government, and international institutions.  HKS has a strong core of faculty specializing in judgment and decision making research as well as faculty specializing in applied policy domains where students may wish to focus.  Intrinsic to the program are teaching and research opportunities with leading scholars at HKS and elsewhere at Harvard.

Politics and Institutions

The politics and institutions track provides a curriculum for students interested in a rigorous program of study and research on international or domestic politics and institutions as these issues relate to major public policy issues in the US and around the world.   Graduates will be prepared for academic research and teaching positions in schools of public policy and disciplinary departments such as, but not limited to, political science and history, as well as policy positions in national governments, research centers, and international institutions.  HKS offers a strong cadre of faculty across multiple social science disciplines specializing in politics and institutions, renowned and dynamic research centers, and a unique interdisciplinary atmosphere of scholars and practitioners with expertise in diverse fields. In addition to research opportunities with leading scholars, the PhD program offers training in teaching as well as in public policy writing and communication.

Science, Technology and Policy Studies

The science, technology and policy studies track provides rigorous interdisciplinary training, drawing on methodological tools from science and technology policy, science and technology studies, policy analysis, political theory, law, and economics. At HKS, students have access to leading scholars from across Harvard in the social sciences, natural sciences, and engineering, with specialties in areas such as security studies, energy policy, innovation and development, environment and climate, biotechnology, data science, and information. The HKS faculty includes practitioners with wide experience at the highest levels of government and industry in science and technology policy. Graduates are qualified for academic teaching and research in public policy schools, interdisciplinary programs, and traditional social science departments, as well as for leadership positions in national and international science and technology policy in both the public and private sectors.

The First Two Years

Students are expected to complete required coursework and sit for the oral general examination. Approval to take the oral examination is predicated on successful completion of the required courses with requisite grades.

Credit for coursework done elsewhere is not granted. There is no language requirement.  Each track has specific course requirements, outlined below: 

Economics 

• Two courses in microeconomics theory (Economics 2020a and Economics 2020b) 
• One course in political theory 
• One course in analytical methods, or completion of a qualifying exam 
• Two courses in empirical methods 
• Two doctoral research seminars (API 901 and API 902)

Judgment and Decision Making   

Please see the Public Policy Web site for updates course requirements    

• Two courses in economic theory 
• One course in normative theory 
• Three courses in empirical methods 

Politics and Institutions 

• Two courses in political theory 
• One course in analytical methods 

Science, Technology and Policy 

• Two courses in analytical methods 
• One course in empirical methods 
• Two doctoral research seminars (API 901 and API 902) 

Incompletes

In order to convert a grade of incomplete to a letter grade, the student must complete the requisite coursework by the end of the term following that in which the course was taken. No grade of incomplete can be used to satisfy any program requirement.

Teaching is not required. A maximum of sixteen term-fifths over a period of five years is permitted. During the third year, a combination of teaching and research, not to exceed three-fifths TIME, is recommended.

First Two Years

Students are assigned an advisor, taking into account each student’s stated research interests at the time of admission. If the research focus changes, students are encouraged to seek out new advisors on their own; however, the director of graduate studies will intervene as needed to facilitate new links to different faculty.

The major effort expended during the first two years is on coursework. By the end of the second year, students are expected to affiliate with a research center either at HKS or the Faculty of Arts and Sciences. Research assistantships and, in some cases, teaching fellowships often lead to a close relationship with a faculty member that will develop into an official advisor/advisee role.

The primary hurdle of the third year is completion of the dissertation prospectus (which may be a paper or a slide deck) and an oral presentation of either one chapter (or one paper and an executive summary of the second and third papers, in the case of a three-paper dissertation) to two members of the dissertation committee. A copy of the prospectus, with written approval from both advisors, is then submitted to the program office by the beginning of the fourth year. In addition, students must complete the PhD Research Seminar (API 902) where work in progress on the dissertation is presented.

Fourth Year

By the beginning of the fourth year, all students must have chosen two members of the dissertation committee. The dissertation committee will include at least three faculty members. Affiliations of these faculty members will include one member of the PhD Standing Committee, one HKS-appointed faculty member, and one Harvard Griffin GSAS-appointed faculty member.

Field Requirements and Qualifying Examinations

In order to advance to PhD candidacy, a student must demonstrate PhD-level proficiency in the required track areas covering analytic methods, economics, politics and management and normative theory, quantitative empirical methods, advanced methodology, and a special field of the student’s election. Students must complete at least two PhD-level courses in a primary field and the secondary field.

The purpose of the primary and secondary field requirement is to establish a solid foundation for future research. Students should seek PhD-level courses that broaden and deepen their knowledge in a special field. Since many HKS courses and seminars are targeted toward practitioners rather than scholars, at least part of the special field work will normally be done at Harvard Griffin GSAS (in courses at the 2000-level) or at other graduate units outside the HKS. A plan of study that includes the syllabus for each proposed course in the special field must be submitted to the program office for approval. Only in exceptional circumstances (where, for example, the field of one’s research is not well developed) will the PhD committee grant a petition to substitute a reading and research course for a normal course.

General Oral Examination

The general oral examination determines whether the student has sufficient grounding in the literatures of the primary and secondary fields. More broadly, the exam provides an assessment of the student’s academic preparation and aptitude as well as the student’s interest in and prospects for a successful career after completion of the PhD.

For students matriculating in fall 2025 or later: Students are required to take at least one of their oral fields within their track, and it is strongly recommended that both of the fields are within the student’s track.  An approved list will be posted in the student handbook. 

In the middle of the second year, the student identifies a primary and secondary field critical to the dissertation research and works with two faculty examiners confirmed by the director of graduate study. The student meets with the examiners to agree on the nature and scope of the fields and develops a reading list that provides adequate coverage of the fields. The exam is scheduled before the beginning of the third year.

Dissertation

The candidate is required to demonstrate their ability to perform original research in an area of public policy by writing a dissertation that represents a significant contribution to knowledge in that field. Three faculty members supervise the writing of the dissertation. One member of the committee must come from the HKS. The other two must come from a combination of the Harvard Griffin GSAS and the PhD committee.

Note: A member of the Committee on Higher Degrees in Public Policy may represent the Harvard Griffin GSAS at a dissertation defense.

A prospective fifth year, or a more advanced student, must have produced at least one acceptable chapter of the dissertation each year beginning in the fifth year. This chapter must be submitted to the dissertation committee for its approval. Evidence of satisfactory progress may also include manuscripts submitted for publication, or abstracts of papers delivered at professional meetings, or other evidence as specified by the dissertation committee chair.

A dissertation may be written in book form or it may take the form of three publishable papers. Each track will provide guidance of the norms/expectations regarding dissertation authorship including any limits or other requirements regarding coauthorship.  It will be left to the dissertation committee chair to determine the number of coauthored papers allowed in the dissertation.

Details on the format of the PhD dissertation are published in the Policies . 

Dissertation Defense

After the candidate has met all other degree requirements, they must pass an oral examination focused on the dissertation. This examination is given when the final draft of the dissertation has been completed. Dissertation examiners will normally include the three supervisors of the dissertation. The purpose of this examination is to assure the committee that the methodology and basic approach of the dissertation are sound and that the student has received critical advice at the most appropriate stage of their advanced research. The dissertation must be accepted before the formal application for the degree can be activated. The dissertation defense is ordinarily open to the public.

Length of Time to Degree

Average time to completion of the PhD is five years. Except by special vote of the committee, all work for the PhD degree must be completed within five years of completion of the general written and oral examinations.

AM in Passing 

The Public Policy PhD program in coordination with Harvard Griffin GSAS will award an AM (Masters of Arts) degree in passing or terminal AM to students who have satisfactorily completed two years of course work and completed the oral general examination.  Students must also fulfill the Harvard Griffin GSAS requirements for an AM degree in passing. 

Contact Info 

Public Policy Website

Explore Events

People & Community

Research & Impact

Career Services

Doctoral Program (PhD)

Create knowledge to tackle society's most complex problems..

GSPP offers a doctoral degree program for students who seek careers in policy research in academia and/or with governments, non-profits, or research institutes. Usually only two or three Ph.D. applicants are admitted each year.

The Ph.D. program emphasizes the generation of knowledge, theories, methodologies, and applications appropriate to the advancement of public policy analysis and policy-relevant research. Doctoral students pursue highly individualized programs of study and typically work closely with Goldman faculty members who share the student’s subject matter interest. The doctoral program provides enormous flexibility in the topics addressed and the program of study, but is designed mainly to train social science researchers with an interest in applied policy issues.

A thorough preparation in or aptitude for rigorous policy research is a prerequisite for the doctorate. Because there is no core program of study, the PhD committee prefers applicants who can show some clear evidence of sustained interest in (and aptitude for) public policy and applied research.

For more information about the PhD program, please review the Goldman School's 2024-2025 Program Bulletin .

The Brooks PhD Program in Public Policy prepares the next generation of research scholars to address pressing national and international public policy issues.

Brooks School PhD students

Why a Brooks PhD ?

Quick Links

• Meet Our Faculty
• Meet Our Students

About the PhD Program

Program details.

Each Public Policy PhD student completes a course of study designed to produce cutting-edge social science research on policy-relevant topics.

Areas of Speciality

The graduate faculty have multidisciplinary expertise in a range of policy areas, including data science and technology policy; environmental and sustainability policy; health policy; human security; inequality and social policy; the politics and economics of development; and race, racism and public policy.

Meet our Students

Our students enroll with diverse research and academic experiences. Learn about their research interests here.

I get the opportunity to interact with sociologists and political scientists and economists outside of my field who really give me an understanding and a scope well beyond what I would have gotten if I had gone to a school that didn’t have this interdisciplinary nature. The Brooks School is a perfect place for me. I can craft my research in a way that is valuable in the long term. – Shyam Raman, PhD Student

BENEFITS OF GETTING A PUBLIC POLICY PHD AT CORNELL

A multi-disciplinary phd in public policy.

The PhD in Public Policy offers training in a social science discipline (such as economics, government, and sociology), empirical methods, and a policy area of focus. First year coursework is disciplinary; subsequent coursework and research is guided by student interest and faculty expertise.

Generous support

PhD funding is guaranteed for 6 years, which includes a stipend, tuition, and health insurance. Students are funded through a combination of fellowships, research assistantships, and teaching assistantships .

Public Policy Placements

Policy PhD graduates go on to academic positions in policy schools, disciplinary departments, and interdisciplinary units; others join government agencies, consulting firms, and non-governmental organizations.

An Ivy League degree in public policy with Cornell’s resources and reputation

Cornell University is one of the world’s leading academic and research institutions and has the broadest range of programs in the Ivy League. Cornell attracts some of the world’s best researchers, thinkers, scholars, inventors, scientists, and humanitarians.

A community where you’ll feel at home within a comprehensive, world-class university

The Brooks School is a friendly, caring environment and just one community among many that you will discover. At Cornell, there’s a club, activity or group where you can meet people who share your interests. If you want to enrich your studies by pursuing social change or volunteer to make a difference, you’ll find endless opportunities. 

A vibrant, dynamic college town setting

Ithaca is home to spectacular waterfalls and lakes, organic farms and wineries, a thriving music and arts community, and an invigorating climate year-round. Located at the southern tip of Cayuga Lake, Ithaca is consistently rated among the most livable cities in the United States.

PhD News SpotlightS

Brooks School students bring fresh perspectives to APPAM conference

Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management (AAPAM) travel fellowship helps doctoral students build national…

First JFI-Brooks Fellowships fund studies of government anti-poverty programs and AI policy

The first JFI-Brooks Fellowships scholars will research regulatory frameworks for artificial intelligence and the…

When recreational cannabis is legal, codeine demand drops

States that permit recreational use of cannabis see a reduction in demand for prescription codeine, an opioid with a…

Have Questions?

Cornell Brooks School

Contact address, contact email.

• Harvard University
• Provost's Office
• Vice Provost for International Affairs
• One Harvard, One World
• Worldwide Week at Harvard
• Administrative Support
• The World at Harvard
• Harvard in the World
• Join Us at Harvard

Harvard Worldwide

Phd in public policy.

The PhD in Public Policy prepares qualified candidates to shape the direction of public policy research and to train the next generation of researchers, teachers, and leaders. It also qualifies individuals to perform high-level policy analysis in both national and international organizations.

Office of the Vice Provost for International Affairs

Richard A. and Susan F. Smith Campus Center

1350 Massachusetts Avenue

Cambridge, Massachusetts 01238 USA

• Accessibility  

The PhD in Public Policy, housed in the School of Public Policy and Urban Affairs, is designed for individuals seeking interdisciplinary, policy-relevant careers in academia or other high-level professional settings such as research institutes, government agencies, nonprofit organizations,and private sector firms.  The program equips students with the theoretical and analytical skills to solve problems of pressing concern, in policy domains such as sustainability and resilience, health care, transportation, housing, and community development.

In The News

Gerrymandering and Elections

Caring About People is Intrinsic to our Work”

Leading Voice on Health Policy Joins Northeastern

The program is small, admission is selective, and all students are full-time. All students admitted are given the financial support to enable them to focus on their studies and research – up to five years with sufficient progress.

Students in the Public Policy PhD program take core courses on policy theory, quantitative and qualitative methodology, and research design. They then specialize in one of three concentrations: Sustainability and Resilience, Urban and Regional Policy, and Health Care Policy and Management . Students work with faculty advisors to tailor a pan of study within their field of concentration from graduate courses offered by the various schools and colleges throughout Northeastern University.

• PhD Happy Hour meetings with faculty and invited guests for informal discussions of selected policy issues.
• Teaching and research assistantships designed to sharpen student pedagogical and analytical skills.
• A summer research residency aligned with a student’s concentration area with Boston-area public, private, and nonprofit organizations.

Students engage in a number of different experiential activities:

• Research  — Students collaborate with faculty on groundbreaking, use-inspired research in class and in our research centers— The Kitty and Michael Dukakis Center for Urban and Regional Policy , the  Resilient Cities Lab ,  The Social Impact Lab , and the  Boston Area Research Initiative .
• Field Work — Our doctoral students gain real-world experience conducting field work and working with faculty on cutting-edge research.
• In-Class Case Studies — Professors integrate case studies, small group exercises, and applied projects into the classroom to add a real-world perspective to the coursework.

Our graduates pursue careers in academia and in a range of public, nonprofit, and private sector institutions:

• Massachusetts Institute for a New Commonwealth (MassINC)
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association
• United States Coast Guard Academy
• CMC Takeda Pharmaceuticals
• San Jose State University
• Partners Healthcare
• Department of Planning, City of Newton

Application Materials

Application.

• Application fee – US $100
• Personal statement
• Unofficial transcripts from all institutions attended
• English proficiency for international applicants
• Three letters of recommendation
• Scores from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) – Optional

Admissions deadline for Fall term entry: December 1

• Program Website

Request Information for PhD in Public Policy

PhD Public Administration & Policy

You are here: american university school of public affairs phd programs phd public administration & policy.

PhD Public Administration & Policy (On-Campus)

Be part of the next generation of leading scholars who produce methodologically sound, socially relevant research that makes important contributions to knowledge and theory.

(202) 885-6230

[email protected]

Kerwin Hall, Room 306 on a map

202-885-2375

[email protected]

Kerwin Hall, Room 320 on a map

Back to top

PhD in Public Administration & Policy

In the historic tradition of the AU scholar-teacher model, the PhD in Public Administration and Policy at the School of Public Affairs, a full-time degree, prepares students for careers in research and teaching in the fields of public administration and public policy.

For detailed program curriculum information, review the Program Handbook .

Publishing Cutting-Edge Research

Our philosophy is that doctoral education should be about much more than coursework. Our program provides a rigorous and comprehensive introduction to the research enterprise. Our mission is to build the next generation of leading scholars, to advance theory, develop knowledge, and craft solutions to today's most pressing problems in public administration and public policy.

From the first day of orientation to the final dissertation defense, each student works one-on-one with a faculty mentor to develop and apply the skills needed for a career in academia. We encourage students to produce research that is methodologically sound and socially relevant, and that makes important contributions to knowledge and theory. By the time they graduate, virtually all of our students have presented their research at key conferences and published their work in peer-reviewed academic journals.

See our list of recent PhD Student publications and conference presentations . Review faculty profiles and explore mentorship opportunities. Read about recent research conducted by SPA faculty.

Research Seminars

In addition to formal coursework students take four semesters of PUAD-089, in a series of research seminars by external scholars, departmental faculty, and PhD students on a variety of topics in public administration and public policy. These weekly seminars expose students to innovative research and provide a chance to interact with nationally-recognized scholars.

Review the current Departmental Research Seminars schedule.

Meet Our Doctoral Students

With expertise spanning public management, global health governance, regulatory policy and more, our PhD candidates bring the knowledge and action necessary to make great impact in the fields of public administration and public policy. Each of them pushes the boundaries of scholarship, educating the next generation of public affairs leaders and researching the significant issues of the day.

Review our current doctoral students' profiles , and learn more about our doctoral students on the market .

Placements and Achievements

We place graduating students into the top programs in public administration and public policy. Students receive professional mentoring on the job search, the application process, conference participation, interviews, and job talks.

Review the placements of our recent graduates .

Frequently Asked Questions

Review answers to Frequently Asked Questions about the SPA PhD Program in Public Administration and Policy.

For more information, please contact the SPA Graduate Admissions Office at 202-885-6230 or [email protected] .

The PhD degree in Public Administration and Policy requires 54 credit hours of approved graduate work for students entering the program with a bachelor's degree alone, or 36 credit hours if entering with a related master's degree.

Students will be admitted into one of two tracks: public administration or public policy. A minimum grade point average of 3.20 in all coursework is required to remain in good standing and to earn the degree. Full-time status is considered to be nine credit hours per semester. Students are expected to complete the degree within four years for those entering with a master's degree and within five years for those entering with a bachelor's degree alone.

Students advance to PhD candidacy by successfully completing all required courses, passing the oral qualifier and two written comprehensive exams (one in each of their fields of study), and defending their dissertation proposals. To earn the degree, students must pass a final oral defense of the dissertation.

See more information about course requirements.

Applicants are considered and students admitted for the fall semester only. Please refer to the  application deadlines  page for the deadline to apply. . The personal statement on reasons for pursuing graduate study in the program is essential, along with the other required application materials .

We accept PhD applicants for full-time study only. Students must be funded either by the School of Public Affairs or by an external sponsoring organization (self-funding is not permitted for newly-admitted doctoral students).

Upon acceptance into the program, students selected for AU funding are granted a fellowship with full funding for four years of study if they are entering with a master's degree. Students entering with a bachelor's degree alone are granted a fellowship with full funding for five years of study. Fellowship is contingent on maintaining satisfactory progress each year. Unless applicants expect to be funded through a reliable external source, they must request consideration for funding on their application.

The fellowship with full funding includes tuition benefits as well as an annual stipend. Please, contact the SPA Graduate Admissions Office with questions about the annual stipend during a particular year of admission. As a requirement for the fellowship, students work 20 hours a week with a faculty member.

Students must advance to candidacy by the end of their third year of study (fourth year for those entering with only a bachelor's degree) to continue receiving funding. If they have not achieved candidacy by then, they are required to find external funding or self-fund the remaining part of their program.

For more information, please contact the SPA Graduate Admissions Office at 202-885-6230 or  [email protected] .

• PhD Program Handbook (2024-2025)
• Departmental Research Seminars
• PhD Student Placements
• PhD Student Research
• Faculty Research Highlights
• Public Administration and Policy Department

90 percent of SPA graduates are employed or in graduate school, or both within six months of graduation

Ph.D. in Public Policy

Applications are open! Learn more on how to apply for a Ph.D. in public policy. In the meantime, browse our faculty listing, learn about the Ph.D. in Public Policy curriculum , explore other programs or contact our Office of Student Affairs . 

A flexible, interdisciplinary curriculum with strong faculty mentoring focused on rigorous analytical and professional training to bridge the gap between academic scholarship and real-world policy impact.

The LBJ School's Ph.D. program has been in place since 1992 and has approximately 35 doctoral students working at various stages of the degree program. Its flexible and interdisciplinary curriculum allows students to take advantage of The University of Texas’ wealth of graduate courses across campus to develop analytical expertise in students’ specific areas of research interest. 

All Ph.D. students receive close, personalized mentoring from our expert faculty members from day one. Many of our students publish with those faculty and present papers at major conferences and meetings. This, along with unparalleled access to one of the top public research universities, allows students to enter their chosen arenas with a strong foundation of theory and practice

Our doctoral students have access to an extensive network of alumni and connections throughout the U.S. and abroad. Our Ph.D. graduates have developed successful careers in academia, think tanks, international organizations, nonprofits, private consulting, policy research institutions and state and federal government.

Curriculum of the Doctoral Program

In addition to our excellent faculty members, all of whom are closely engaged in teaching and research, the LBJ School offers connections to several major research centers in the school with foci ranging from health and social policy, philanthropy and nonprofit management to international security and politics. 

The LBJ School has a streamlined core curriculum, consisting of the following coursework to be completed within the first two years of study:

This course serves as a foundation and overview of major issues and theories in contemporary public policy-making, incorporating perspectives and analytical frameworks from a variety of disciplines.  Its aims are to provide exposure to, and an appreciation for, the classic and contemporary texts that have informed and shaped public affairs-related scholarship, and to identify questions and debates in the foundational literature that shape the way we think about and refine theory to address public policy questions and problems. In other words, this is a course on how to think about public policy.

This two-semester sequence introduces students to interdisciplinary social science approaches to the design of policy research, as well as the use of appropriate quantitative and qualitative methods. Together, these two semesters provide a survey of methods used in public policy, with the goal of making students critical consumers of different methods, conversant in the disciplinary methods utilized in public policy research, and able to select and justify their own choice of methods in any future research. The first semester focuses on basic principles of research design and an introduction to qualitative methods, while the second semester continues with a survey of various quantitative methods used in public policy research.    

This is a weekly, zero-credit, one-hour lunchtime course that introduces first-year students to what it means to complete a PhD in public policy.  It focuses on professional development, socialization, and training, with the goal of preparing students for success in the public policy doctoral program, and later, successful navigation of academic and policy fields in public affairs. It includes topics such as creating a strategic plan for your time in graduate school; finding an advisor and mentors; funding your research; how to prepare for conferences and presentations; publication strategies and navigating peer review; learning to teach; and academic and policy job market preparation.

The second-year colloquium provides a structured forum for students to present, receive and provide feedback on work in progress, as well as be exposed to other scholars’ research. The course explores what research looks like at various stages: concept or proposal stage, draft papers and manuscripts, conference papers, papers that have received feedback via the peer review process, and published pieces. It is designed to provide structured support as students transition to developing and preparing original research papers, whether these are conference papers/draft article manuscripts, or a potential Qualifying Paper.    

The admissions committee looks at a combination of factors, including demonstrated intellectual curiosity; solid preparation for graduate-level work in research methods and quantitative analysis; proficiency in oral and written English; and a clear focus on learning to conduct social science research with relevance for public policy. Additionally, because the LBJ School’s program is an interdisciplinary one, a strong background in the social sciences and interest in interdisciplinary approaches to intellectual inquiry are helpful. Applicants should also present a coherent vision for their research: a compelling set of questions that they seek to answer, and a clear vision for how the resources and faculty at the University of Texas and the LBJ School are particularly suited to conducting that research. Finally, the LBJ School has stronger ability to advise some areas of research interest than others; because of this, it is helpful when applicants identify a clear set of faculty whose research interests match their own and with whom they would be interested in conducting their doctoral research.

During the admissions process, faculty are consulted on whether they have availability and interest to work with specific candidates for admission. The LBJ School will typically not admit a student into the PhD program unless at least 2-3 faculty indicate interest in advising that student’s dissertation work.

What admissions test scores are required? Are there other pre-requisites for admission?

The GRE is required and allows the admissions committee to assess the applicant’s preparation for and ability to engage in quantitative coursework and research. The TOEFL is required for international applicants, with specific exceptions for candidates from UT’s list of “Qualifying Countries.” Please see here: https://gradschool.utexas.edu/admissions/how-to-apply/international-stu… There are no other formal pre-requisites for entry. Many successful applicants have robust professional experience and/or solid quantitative training, depending on their intended area of future research. If an applicant without prior background in statistics is admitted, he/she may be advised or required to take a preparatory boot camp course in the summer before admission to ensure successful completion of the first year required coursework.

No, a prior MA (or equivalent degree) is not required, though in many cases it can strengthen an applicant’s candidacy.

Do LBJ PhD students commonly take courses in other departments?

Yes. One of the advantages of the LBJ PhD program is the ability that it offers to draw on the broader resources distributed across UT’s campus and research community. This page describes the core curriculum offered within the LBJ School itself, which students take during their first two years in the degree program: https://lbj.utexas.edu/phd-public-policy In addition to completing the core coursework during the first two years, students also pursue deeper theoretical, substantive, and methodological study in their chosen area of research (energy policy and environmental economics, national security, social policy, etc). Here, each student will work with faculty mentors and advisors to develop a tailored curriculum that includes the substantive coursework and methods training necessary to succeed in their chosen field of research. In developing this tailored plan of study, students draw not only on the substantive and methodological expertise at the LBJ School, but all of UT’s world-class disciplinary departments and research centers.

In addition to completion of the required coursework, students submit a Qualifying Paper that is evaluated and assessed by the faculty at the end of their second year. After successful completion of the Qualifying Paper, students prepare and defend a dissertation proposal to advance to candidacy.

Your doctoral program is designed to be completed within five years of full-time study. We also admit several doctoral students each year who are on active duty with the United States military (such as through the Army’s ASP3 program); in those cases, the LBJ School works with candidates to craft an individualized track of instruction that enables them to complete their degree in three years. The University of Texas Ctalog notes the following with respect to time: All completed work that is included in a doctoral student’s degree program at the time of admission to candidacy must have been taken within the previous six years (exclusive of a maximum of three years of United States military service). Work over six years old may be reinstated upon recommendation of the Graduate Studies Committee. The Graduate Studies Committee will review the program of every student yearly; the results of this review will be provided to the student in writing. At those times, the committee may recommend additional coursework, further examinations, or termination of candidacy. In addition, the program is subject to review by the graduate dean.

Please see UT Austin’s housing resources.

We are proud of offering individualized, focused doctoral training to our graduate students. Graduate students engage in cutting-edge research with faculty across a range of disciplines, and participate actively in the life of the school and related Centers. Depending on their interests, past cohorts of graduate students have organized small public policy workshops or conferences in their fields of interest.

Register for an information session.

Request More Information

Connect With Us

Office of Student Affairs and Admissions

Location SRH 3.104

Phone 512-471-4292

Email [email protected]

Ph.D. in Public Policy

General info.

• Faculty working with students: 42 primary appointments, 19 secondary appointments, adjunct and visiting
• Students: 30
• Students receiving Financial Aid: 100%
• Part time study available: No
• Application terms: Fall
• Application deadline: December 2

Lisa Gennetian Director of Graduate Studies Attn: Ph.D. Program Sanford School of Public Policy Duke University, Box 90312 Durham, NC 27708-0243

Phone: (919) 613-9341

Email: [email protected]

Website:  https://sanford.duke.edu/academics/doctoral-program/

Program Description

The Ph.D. in Public Policy is an interdisciplinary social science degree. Graduates of the program are prepared for academic positions in public policy, public administration, policy-oriented schools, social science departments, and for professional positions in domestic and international public agencies and research organizations. The program aims to matriculate 6-8 students per year, enabling each student to receive individual faculty attention in courses and in research.

The core of the program is research mentoring with one or more faculty members, as the student becomes expert in an area of inquiry.  Initially, the student's research is closely tied to that of faculty members but, by the dissertation, the student becomes an independent scholar.  The program requires a two-course sequence in theories of public policy, and coursework in three other social science disciplines. Students designate both a disciplinary concentration such as political science, sociology, or psychology in which they take a minimum of five courses, and a policy focus, such as social policy, globalization and development, health policy, or other policy area. Students interested in environmental policy should apply directly to the University Program in Environmental Policy, but may enroll in Public Policy Ph.D. courses.

• Public Policy Studies: PhD Admissions and Enrollment Statistics
• Public Policy Studies: PhD Completion Rate Statistics
• Public Policy Studies: PhD Time to Degree Statistics
• Public Policy Studies: PhD Career Outcomes Statistics

Application Information

Application Terms Available:  Fall

Application Deadline: December 2

Graduate School Application Requirements See the Application Instructions page for important details about each Graduate School requirement.

• Transcripts: Unofficial transcripts required with application submission; official transcripts required upon admission
• Letters of Recommendation: 3 Required
• Statement of Purpose: Required (See departmental guidance below)
• Résumé: Required
• GRE Scores: GRE General Required (GMAT not accepted)
• English Language Exam: TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo English Test required* for applicants whose first language is not English *test waiver may apply for some applicants
• GPA: Undergraduate GPA calculated on 4.0 scale required

Department-Specific Application Requirements (submitted through online application)

Joint Degree Students will also have the option to apply to the joint degree program in each of our allied disciplines: political science, psychology and sociology. There are a limited number of spots for the joint degree program. You can find more information for this program here: Joint Degree .

Statement of Purpose Guidelines We carefully review each applicant’s essay. Please utilize this essay to discuss your goals in pursuing the PhD in Public Policy at Duke University. We are interested in your academic and professional experience, your intended course of study (including a disciplinary concentration and policy area focus) and your longer-term career objectives.

Writing Sample A writing sample is not required.

Allied Disciplines Applicants to the joint Ph.D. program in Public Policy and Allied Disciplines must submit an additional essay for admission to the program. Regardless of your selection of primary department, please respond to the following prompt:

In 500 words or less, please explain your interest in the joint Ph.D. program offered between Public Policy and an Allied Discipline. Highlight how your research interests and past experiences lie at the intersection between Public Policy and the Allied Discipline and how participation in the joint program will facilitate your professional goals after receiving your degree.

We strongly encourage you to review additional department-specific application guidance from the program to which you are applying: Departmental Application Guidance

List of Graduate School Programs and Degrees

Ph.D. in Public Affairs

PhD in Public Policy

Interdisciplinary. experiential. scholarly focused..

Northeastern University’s PhD in Public Policy is a scholarly-focused degree and training program for individuals interested in conducting research in academia or other high-level professional settings, such as think tanks, nonprofit organizations, industry, and government. It equips students with the theory and research skills to address societal issues of pressing concern at national and international levels, such as sustainability and resilience, urban planning and policy, and health policy. 

Students take core courses in policy theory, quantitative and qualitative methods, and research design, and specialize in one of three concentrations: Sustainability and Resilience, Urban and Regional Policy, and Health Care Policy and Management. Students develop insight, experience, and synergies while working with faculty on key research projects or working at any of the school’s  research centers . The school provides a high level of support, allowing students to excel in their studies and research.

Learning Outcomes

• Become versed in the foundational knowledge in public policy as a field of inquiry sufficient to contribute to its continued evolution and relevance
• Obtain deep and nuanced expertise in a specified subject area
• Develop the methodological tools to enable policy-relevant research in high-level professional settings
• Understand and reveal structural and historical inequities in the particular area of focus
• Identify issues of pressing concern to society at local, national, and international levels. 

Current and prospective students should refer to the  graduate catalog  for a description of the PhD in Public Policy curriculum, including the  advanced entry option.

Applications for Fall 2023 are no longer being accepted.

For additional information, contact:

Daniel T. O’Brien

Program director.

617.373.8900 [email protected]

Type of Program

• PhD Program
• Daniel T. O'Brien

PhD Program Administrator

• Beverly Ballaro

Helpful Links

• Current PhD Students
• Northeastern PhD Network
• Admissions Requirements & Deadlines

Get more information about this graduate program.

More programs, human services program, jd/ms in law and public policy, ma in international affairs, master of public administration, master of public policy.

Ph.D. Concentration in Public Policy & Management

The  Concentration in Public Policy and Management  offers University of Washington Ph.D. students in the social sciences and related applied fields an opportunity to broaden their backgrounds and credentials for the job market. This is valuable for students seeking positions in which public policy and management perspectives are pertinent, whether in the academic, government, or policy research sectors.

To earn the concentration, students take a series of four linked courses in the  Ph.D. in Public Policy and Management  program at the Evans School of Public Policy & Governance:

• Advanced Microeconomics for Policy Analysis  ( PPM 506 ): This course provides a doctoral-level introduction to microeconomic theory and the tools that are used to inform public policy analysis. The course covers individual and firm behavior, decisions under uncertainty, information, strategic behavior, property rights, transaction costs, externalities, public goods, and related topics. Offered autumn quarter. Prerequisites: Successful completion of courses in intermediate microeconomics and multivariate calculus.
• Public Policy Processes  ( PPM 508 ): This course is concerned with research about policy processes. It is structured as a research seminar, combining theoretical framework for studying policy processes with discussion of student research. Options for this course include domestic and comparative institutional perspectives. Offered autumn quarter.
• Institutional Perspectives on Management   ( PPM 504 ): This foundation course examines competing theories of institutional and organizational design and action that illuminate pressing challenges of policy, management, and leadership. Offered Winter Quarter. If the student has taken a similar class at the graduate level,  PPM 514 : Organizations, Management, and Theory   can be substituted for PPM 504  with  approval  from   the  PPM 504 instructor  in that year .
• Public Policy Analysis   ( PPM 510 ): This course engages students in explicit consideration of the role of policy research and analysis in public decision-making as well as a review and synthesis of policy research, analysis, and evaluation literature. Students assess the contributions and limitations of seminal and recent research, gain exposure to cutting-edge techniques, and identify unresolved and emerging questions that offer opportunities for future research. Offered Spring Quarter. Prerequisites: Successful completion of PPM 506, or equivalent, and graduate-level multivariate statistics (e.g., Sociology 506—may be taken concurrently).

Students must achieve a minimum grade of 3.0 in each of the four courses to satisfactorily complete the concentration. After completing all four courses, students in the concentration must submit their transcript (including the GPA in each of the 4 classes) to [email protected] . Once approved, a letter from the Ph.D. program director, designed to accompany student transcripts, certifies that the student has satisfactorily completed the required credits for the Concentration in Public Policy and Management.

Prerequisites

Eligible students should   have completed  (or  b e currently taking)  graduate  courses in microeconomics , statist i cs,  and  differential  calculus .   If you are missing a prerequisite, t hese classes can be taken at the UW  in a variety of departments . For instance ,  CS&SS  505 provides comprehensive mathematical preparation sufficient for  entering PPM 506 when combined with intermediate  microeconomics.

Course Registration

As a concentration student, you are also eligible to receive add codes for  PPM 512: Data Analysis Practicum,   PPM 514 Organizations, Management and Theory , and  PPM 502 Research Design . T he courses can be taken in any sequence, simply email [email protected] for an add code for each class. 

Interested students should submit the brief application at the button below. Applicants will receive an email within 14 days regarding their eligibility for the concentration.

Be boundless

• Our Leadership
• Mission & Values
• Mission & Values
• Commitment to Anti-Racism

Connect with us:

© 2024 University of Washington | Seattle, WA

Outrageous Ambition

We invite you to conduct research that matters with our world-class faculty.

Doctoral program.

The PhD in Public Policy at Duke University enables students to collaborate with Duke’s top-rated faculty in public policy and with Duke’s departments of economics, political science and sociology, among others, all on the beautiful Duke campus.

Public policy leader

The Sanford School is a national and international leader in the dynamic field of public policy studies, with numerous interdisciplinary centers exploring vital policy questions in the field and in the classroom. Members of our faculty are experts in fields ranging from aging, education, and the environment to international affairs, media and democracy, and welfare reform.

Our students

Most of our students pursue doctoral-level public policy research with the goal of working in domestic and international public agencies, research organizations and policy consulting firms. Others seek academic positions in public policy, public administration and policy-oriented schools. They are united by their passion for public policy and their desire to have a positive impact on the world.

Duke’s PhD in Public Policy is distinguished by its truly interdisciplinary nature. The program offers a unique balance of depth in a discipline such as:

• political science

PhD students focus on a particular policy area such as social policy, global policy, health policy or environmental policy. They also interact with leading scholars and interdisciplinary centers at Duke such as:

• Duke Global Health Institute
• Duke Center for Child and Family  Policy
• ​Duke Social Science Research Institute
• Duke's Nicholas School of the Environment

With just 6-8 students a year all PhD students get lots of individual faculty attention. In addition to working with Duke’s world-class faculties of public policy, economics, history, political science, psychology and sociology and psychology, PhD students interact with leading scholars from:

• Duke’s Nicholas School of the Environment and Earth Sciences
• Duke’s Fuqua School of Business
• Duke’s Law and Medical Schools.

Questions? Contact us

Browse our  FAQ section , or  contact PhD Program staff via email  so we can help you.

Student Story: Alison Pei

Alison Pei PhD'24 earned a PhD at Sanford, dedicating her research to labor market dynamics and innovation. She now works at an economic consulting firm in Boston, focusing on antitrust and competition. Alison says Sanford gave her the confidence to research. “They kept encouraging me to voice my thoughts and contribute ideas as if I were a seasoned researcher.” she says. “This experience only stokes my passion for continuing to navigate the waters where research, policymaking, and the real world collide.”

Featured Video

Focus on Environment

Hear PhD candidate Gabriela Nagle Alverio talk about her experience at the Sanford School of Public Policy at Duke University.

Research for a Better Society

Hear Ajenai Clemmons PhD ‘21 discuss her research project and passion for pursuing this work at the Sanford School.

• What We Look For

In This Section

• Degree Requirements

The PhD in Public Policy (PPOL) program balances theory with practical methods to prepare students for careers in academia, in government, at research organizations, or in the private sector. 

What do we look for in our PPOL students? 

Evidence of your ability to handle the rigor of our curriculum , which is why you’re required to have completed and excelled in the following: 

A university-level course in social science or social theory of science and technology (e.g., science and technology studies, modern social thought, computing and society) 

• A university-level course in quantitative analysis (e.g. calculus, statistics) 
• A university-level course in qualitative methods (e.g. anthropology, geography, history, law, philosophy) 
• One research paper you have written by yourself that has a policy focus (co-authored papers not accepted)

A demonstrated ability and drive to pursue public policy research is another important qualification. 

Notably, we look for strong recommendations from individuals in academia or other professional sectors who know you well and can tell us about your qualifications for our program.  

What else you should know 

You are not required to have a Harvard Kennedy School faculty advisor before  submitting your application. You will be assigned to an advisor if you are admitted to the PPOL Program. 

We will also look at your GRE scores for any tests you have taken in the past five years. Just note we do not accept the GMAT or LSAT.  There is no minimum GRE score to apply.  

If you are an international applicant, you will need to submit either your TOEFL iBT or IELTS score. International applicants who hold the equivalent of a bachelor’s degree from an institution where English is the primary language of instruction do not need to submit the TOEFL iBT or IELTS. The minimum TOEFL score to apply is 103 and a minimum IELTS score to apply is 7. If you are an international student whose bachelor’s degree was not in English—but whose master’s degree was conducted in English—you must submit the one of the two tests. 

We often receive the question: My undergraduate degree is from an institution where English is not the primary language of instruction. However, my master’s degree is from an institution where English is the primary language of instruction. Do I still need to take the TOEFL? The answer is: Yes. 

If you are currently a Harvard Kennedy School student 

You will need to submit your PPOL application with new supporting documents—we cannot use your academic transcripts, letters of recommendation, or test scores that you submitted with your original HKS application.  

Admissions Requirements

How to apply, funding your doctoral education.

Public Policy

The Master in Public Policy (MPP) is a two-year program that prepares students to understand complex public policy problems and craft concrete solutions. Through coursework, exercises, and fieldwork, students master concepts and skills that draw on the social sciences but are adapted for action. MPP graduates are versatile—they lead change in the public, nonprofit, and private sectors. Many distinguish themselves in more than one of these sectors during the course of their careers.

The Ph.D. in Public Policy Program provides exceptional scholars with advanced graduate training to prepare them for positions in academia, government, and at research organizations. Candidates are trained to conduct policy analytic research, help shape and execute public policy, and teach the next generation of educators, researchers, and practitioners. The program encourages scholarly research that empowers public policy practitioners to make informed decisions. Coursework reflects this approach by combining core requirements—in theory (economics, politics and management, and normative theory) and methods (advanced methodology, analytical, and quantitative empirical)—with primary and secondary concentrations.