The Ph.D. in Public Policy program is structured into three distinct phases: core courses, policy field courses, and the dissertation.

Overview

Core Courses

Students must complete the core set of courses which focus on:

1. The Nature of the Policy Field
2. Methods of Analysis
3. Economic Analysis

Upon completion of the core, students must pass a set of qualifying exams.

Policy Field
After passing the qualifying exams, each student chooses a policy field on which focus. The program has five established policy tracks:

1. Urban/Regional Development Policy
2. Health Policy
3. Social Policy
4. Justice Policy
5. Environmental and Transportation Policy.

Students can construct their own policy focus through work with faculty members. Upon completion of the field courses, each student must pass a comprehensive examination in their field.

Dissertation
After advancing to candidacy, each student will establish a dissertation committee and write a dissertation proposal for presentation to the committee. After committee approval, the candidate must then execute a dissertation showing the planning, conduct, and results of original research and scholarship. Upon completion, the student presents a defense of the dissertation to the committee and university community.