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Public Policy - Economic Policy (Online)

This Public Policy - Economic Policy (Online) PhD program from Liberty University Online can help provide you with the advanced knowledge and training you need to lead effectively, whether you’re working for the government, a nonprofit, a consulting firm, or an international organization.

The Public Policy - Economic Policy (Online) PhD program from Liberty University Online can build upon your existing expertise in economic politics and hone your policymaking craft to help you lead the way to a better, more prosperous future for our country.

Whether you want to advance your policy research or help train up a new generation of economists and finance policymakers, Liberty’s Ph.D. in Public Policy – Economic Policy can give you the education you need. With a Ph.D. in Public Policy, you can set yourself apart from your peers and develop the policy mastery you need to make a positive impact on our nation’s future.

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Economic policy researcher

Government administrator

Senior public policy analyst

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Courses included:

Public Policy

Economics and Public Policy

Policy Analysis and Research Design

Economic Policy Studies

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A regionally or nationally accredited master’s degree with a 3.0 or above GPA is required for admission in good standing. 

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Course Catalog | Liberty University

Public policy (ph.d.).

Important: This degree plan is effective for those starting this degree program in fall 2024 through summer 2025. This degree plan will remain in effect for students who do not break enrollment or who do not change degree programs, concentrations, or cognates.

PLCY 815 Advanced Quantitative Methods I (3 c.h.) and PLCY 816 Advanced Quantitative Methods II (3 c.h.) may be substituted for PLCY 810 Quantitative Methods I (3 c.h.) and PLCY 811 Quantitative Methods II (3 c.h.) by permission of the Department Chair

Other courses will be considered on a case-by-case basis

Once the student enters the Dissertation phase, he/she must maintain continuous enrollment (Fall, Spring and Summer semesters) until all degree requirements are completed

Any student who is not ready for enrollment in PLCY 990 Dissertation IV - Dissertation Defense (0 c.h.) after completing PLCY 989 Dissertation III (5 c.h.) may be required, as determined by the student’s dissertation chair, to repeat PLCY 989 Dissertation III (5 c.h.) until deemed ready for enrollment in PLCY 990 Dissertation IV - Dissertation Defense (0 c.h.)

   All applicable prerequisites must be met

Graduation Requirements

• Complete 60 hours
• A maximum of 50% of a post-graduate and doctoral degree may be transferred if approved and allowable, including credit from an earned degree from Liberty University on the same academic level
• No grades lower than a B- may be applied to the degree
• Successful completion of Research Concept
• Successful defense of Dissertation
• Degree must be completed within 7 years
• Submission of Degree Completion Application must be completed within the last semester of a student’s anticipated graduation date

Program Offered in Online Format

Choose from the following: PLCY 840 , PLCY 850 , PLCY 860 , PLCY 870 , or PLCY 880 ; other courses will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

PLCY 815 and PLCY 816 may be substituted for PLCY 810 and PLCY 811 by permission of Department Chair.

Once the student enters the Dissertation phase, he/she must maintain continuous enrollment (Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters) until all degree requirements are completed.

Any student who is not ready for enrollment in PLCY 990 after completing PLCY 989 may be required, as determined by the student's dissertation chair, to repeat PLCY 989 until deemed ready for enrollment in PLCY 990 .

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Thinking of Pursuing a PhD in Economics? Info on Graduate School and Beyond

Kasey Chatterji-Len and Anna Kovner

Becoming a PhD economist can provide a fulfilling and financially secure career path. However, getting started in the field can be daunting if you don’t know much about the preparation you’ll need and the available job opportunities. If you’re wondering what it means to be an economics researcher or how to become one, please read on. We’ll review how to prepare for a career in economics research, what an economics PhD program entails, and what types of opportunities it might bring. Economic education is a core component of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York’s mission to serve the community. To empower would-be economists, this post provides information for students who seek a career in economics research. We hope this information will be helpful to students interested in economics, regardless of their background and economic situation.  This information is most applicable to students applying to programs in the United States.  

The Breadth of Economics Research  

Academic disciplines conduct research in different ways, so it’s important to have a basic understanding of the types of questions economists ask and how they approach answering them. There are many definitions of economics, but a broadly useful one is the study of how people, organizations, and governments make decisions under different constraints, and how those decisions may affect their outcomes. 

When answering these questions, economists seek to ground their analyses in models and to be quantitatively precise about the effects they assign to any given cause. The range of topics economists can study is wide, but the accepted approaches to answering questions are stricter. Some examples of what economists might ask: 

• How do different public housing programs affect the children who live there? 
• Does a certain type of law encourage businesses to innovate? 
• How will a change in the interest rate affect inflation and unemployment rates? 
• How much does affordable health insurance improve people’s health? 
• How can poor countries eradicate poverty? 

There are many different subfields within economics, including, but not limited to behavioral, econometrics, energy/environmental, development, financial, international, monetary, public, and urban economics. You can familiarize yourself with the latest work in economics by subscribing to working paper series, such as NBER’s New This Week or the New York Fed’s Staff Reports . To get an idea of the breadth of questions economists can answer, you could listen to Stephen Dubner’s “ Freakonomics Radio ” podcast. You may also want to explore the Journal of Economic Perspectives , the New York Fed’s Liberty Street Economics blog, VoxDev , or VoxEU .  

What Is a PhD Program Like?    

Economics PhD programs typically last five to seven years. Unlike masters programs, they are often fully funded with a stipend, though most require students to complete teaching assistant and/or research assistant (RA) work as part of their funding package. In the first two years, students take classes, many of which are mathematically demanding. The rest of the program can include additional classes but is primarily devoted to original research with the aim of producing publishable papers that will constitute the dissertation.  

Faculty advisors are a central part of PhD programs, as students look to them for guidance during the research process. Economics PhD programs are offered within university economics departments, but there are similar programs in public policy and business schools. You can look at their websites to understand any differences in coursework and subsequent job placements. 

What Can You Do with an Economics PhD?  

Upon graduation, students can obtain jobs in a variety of industries. Many PhD students hope to become university professors. Governments and public policy-related institutions such as the Federal Reserve System, the U.S. federal government, the World Bank, and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) also hire economists to work on policy, lead programs, and conduct research. Finally, economics PhD graduates can also find employment at a variety of private sector companies, including banks, economic consulting firms, and big tech companies. The pay for these different positions can vary. According to the American Economics Association (AEA), the average starting salary for economics assistant professors in 2022-23 was approximately $140,000 at PhD granting institutions and $98,000 at BA granting institutions. 

Programs often publish the placements of their PhD graduates, so you can look online to see specific employment outcomes. See, for example, the University of Maryland’s placements . Ultimately, economists are highly regarded as authorities on a variety of topics. Governments, nonprofits, philanthropic foundations, financial institutions, and non-financial businesses all look to economists to answer important questions about how to best achieve their goals. Thus, earning an economics Ph.D. can potentially help you to influence issues that are important to you. 

Preparing for an Economics PhD Program  

There are several components to an economics PhD program application: college transcripts, GRE scores, letters of recommendation, and personal statements. Please download the Appendix linked below to learn more about transcripts and letters of recommendation. The Appendix details ways in which you can select coursework, obtain research experience, and develop relationships to position yourself for success as a PhD applicant.  

If you feel that you are too far along in your academic career to take enough of the classes described in the Appendix, this does not necessarily preclude you from pursuing an economics PhD. For example, it’s possible to take some of these classes through a master’s program, or through a pre-doctoral RA job. Some pre-doctoral RA jobs, such as the one here at the New York Fed , may enable you to take classes in preparation for graduate school. If you are concerned about your transcript, reach out to an economist at your university for advice; program standards for coursework and grades vary, and it’s a good idea to get more personalized advice. 

Research Experience   

If you’re interested in becoming an economics researcher and applying to PhD programs, it’s best to get research experience as soon as possible. Working as an RA is a great way to learn how to conduct research and get a better idea of whether it’s the right career path for you. Additionally, it can help you obtain a letter of recommendation for graduate school applications and improve your qualifications.  

All types of academic research can be enriching, but it’s beneficial to gain experience working directly with an economist. To find a position, you can reach out to professors whose work you find interesting or find an RA program at your school. Typical RA tasks may involve data collection and cleaning, as well as running analyses and creating charts to represent results. This is where coding skills become crucial; having taken math, statistics, and econometrics courses will also enable you to take on more responsibilities. 

You may also have the opportunity to conduct your own research, possibly under the supervision of a professor at your university. This research could be self-initiated or part of a course such as a thesis workshop. Self-directed research is a great opportunity to learn about all stages of the research process. It’s also an excellent opportunity to create a writing sample for graduate school applications. Ultimately, though, your motivation for conducting your own research project should be that you want to answer a question.  One thing economists have in common is a love of answering questions using data and theory. 

Research experience is also often obtained after completing an undergraduate or master’s degree. Taking on a full-time RA position before applying to PhD programs is very common and can make you a more competitive applicant. You may either get an RA job working for a professor or participate in a pre-doctoral RA program.  

Research assistant programs are more structured than positions with individual professors or projects, which could be helpful. Universities, parts of the government, think tanks, research organizations, and the Federal Reserve System are all good places to look for research assistant programs. To help you decide which opportunities are most desirable, you may want to ask potential employers : Where do people in this program tend to go afterward? Will I be working directly with an economist? How much of my time will be spent on academic research work? Will I be able to take classes as part of this program? Considering whether an economist will be able to evaluate your performance is an important factor for recommendation letters. The ability to take classes, either through tuition reimbursement or waivers, can also be an important benefit. 

The Research Analyst program here at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York is one example of these programs and you should check it out here . The Federal Reserve Board of Governors also has a large program, and many other regional Federal Reserve Banks have similar programs. In addition, the PREDOC website and the  NBER post listings of RA opportunities. J-PAL and IPA also tend to recruit RAs for economic development projects. Another source of RA opportunities is the @econ_ra account on X. 

Who Should Get a PhD in Economics?  

A PhD may not be for everyone, but it is for anyone—people of all genders, religions, ethnicities, races, and national origins have PhDs in economics. Many economists majored in economics, but others majored in math, physics, or chemistry. Because economics is such an integral part of policymaking, it is important that economists come from a wide range of backgrounds so policy can be stronger and more effective. The inclusion of differing perspectives helps ensure that the contribution of economists to work in public policy, academia, and beyond effectively serves the broadest range of society. 

• Coursework Appendix

Kasey Chatterji-Len is a research analyst in the Federal Reserve Bank of New York’s Research and Statistics Group.

Anna Kovner  is the director of Financial Stability Policy Research in the Bank’s Research and Statistics Group.

How to cite this post: Kasey Chatterji-Len and Anna Kovner, “Thinking of Pursuing a PhD in Economics? Info on Graduate School and Beyond,” Federal Reserve Bank of New York Liberty Street Economics , May 31, 2024, https://libertystreeteconomics.newyorkfed.org/2024/05/thinking-of-pursuing-a-phd-in-economics-info-on-graduate-school-and-beyond/.

You may also be interested in: AEA: Resources for Students

PREDOC: Guidance for Undergraduates

RA Positions-Not at the NBER

Disclaimer The views expressed in this post are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the position of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York or the Federal Reserve System. Any errors or omissions are the responsibility of the author(s).

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Maps & Directions

The degree of Ph.D. in Economics requires 48 credit hours of approved Ph.D. level courses and a dissertation in the student’s chosen field of concentration. In the first two years students will feel like they are in a familiar environment. Their work consists almost entirely of taking classes, writing papers, and taking examinations. However as the years pass, emphasis passes from full time class-based coursework to full time independent research. More details on degree requirements can be found under the “ Guide for Current Ph.D. students ” tab.

The Ph.D. program begins with coursework. The typical first and second year course load consists of three, 3-credit courses per semester. In the first year all students are required to take the same seven classes on the techniques of modern economic analysis. In August before the first full year, incoming students are required to take an intensive course in mathematical economics (often referred to as the “Math Boot Camp”). The first full year course of study follows the standard U.S. economics Ph.D. curriculum. It includes:

• mathematical economics review (August preceding first year fall enrollment)
• microeconomics (two semesters)
• econometric theory (two semesters)
• macroeconomics (one semester)
• applied econometrics (one semester)

In their second year, students complete field courses. The Economics Department offers at least three economics field courses each semester of the second year. All second-year students are required take at least two of these Economics offerings each semester of their second year. Most of them take three Economics classes, however some may elect to take Ph.D. courses outside of the Economics Department, subject to prior approval by the Director of Graduate Studies.

Transition from student to researcher begins in the third year. In the fall and spring semesters students are required to take one Research Methods class. They may also elect to take courses outside of the Economics Department. With prior approval by the Director of Graduate Studies these may count towards the required 48 credits.

Examples of classes that have been taken in other Tulane schools and approved for credit include courses in Mathematics, Statistics, Biostatistics, Finance, Political Economy, Public Health, Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Law, and Disaster Resilience Leadership.

Fields of Study

Large departments in traditional programs handle their many students by requiring that they all choose from a set of pre-designed “fields”. This actually limits their ability to pursue their interests. The comparative advantage of Tulane’s Ph.D. program is that we can offer unequaled flexibility in constructing programs of specialization that are tailor-made to your interests. In large programs students typically do not get to know any faculty members well until their fourth or fifth year. Our small size means that students and faculty begin interacting on program day one. By the time that fields of concentration are being sculpted in the second and third year, students have already established a rapport with several professors who have taken a personal interest in their academic formation. Examples of fields that have been constructed successfully in this way include

Public economics and public policy

Development, inequality, and poverty.

• Health and public health

Education and human capital

The public economics and public policy field can combine the study of government policy with the study of the economics of the firm. Topics may include taxation and expenditures, financial economics, trade and migration, market failures and environmental economics, and welfare economics. The field will draw upon faculty expertise in the Economics Department and in the Freeman School of Business . Students’ research can also benefit from the programs and resources of the Murphy Institute of Political Economy .

Students who pursue this field might:

• analyze the effects of government tax and spending policies on the distribution of income and the efficiency of resource use, and then apply the knowledge to the practical policy reform of public finance systems around the world
• learn the models necessary to understand economic and environmental linkages, and then use econometric tools to evaluate real world environmental and natural resource policies
• explore the causes and consequences of international trade and globalization
• develop a strong understanding of the modern firm by focusing on its organization, governance, and strategic behavior, and then apply the knowledge to the financial decisions of firms and to firm performance

The coursework of students who successfully followed this field consisted of classes such as public finance I (which includes the economics of taxation), public finance II (which includes public expenditures and special topics), public policy and the firm (which includes topics in corporate governance). Electives included urban economics, political economy, trade, empirical corporate finance, or empirical financial markets.

Students who focused on Public Economics and Public Policy parted from a very solid foundation in the tools of modern economic and econometric analysis but at the same time gained a unique, interdisciplinary foundation for the integration of specialized knowledge related to firm behavior and government policy. In some cases the components had a strong international focus. Graduates who pursue this sort of track have a broad range of job prospects, including academic institutions, international organizations, local governments, and national governments.

The development, inequality, and poverty fields have focused on market and non-market determinants of inequality and poverty and on policies that seek to address these issues. This field builds on the Economics Department's strengths and expertise in development economics and on the economics of taxes and spending. Students interested in this area may benefit from association with the Department-based Commitment to Equity Institute (CEQ), funded by a $5 million Gates Foundation grant. The field also leverages expertise of partners in the Stone Center for Latin American Studies , the Center for Inter American Policy and Research , and the School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine . Students will learn how to conduct both comparative and country-specific poverty and inequality analyses and will acquire important institutional knowledge about the contexts of these issues.

• examine the causes and the consequences of inequality and poverty
• learn the theoretical perspectives and quantitative tools used to assess poverty and inequality programs
• build up institutional knowledge about geographic, cultural, social, economic, and political characteristics of studied countries
• develop an understanding of how the relationship between markets, institutions, and politics affects the effectiveness of poverty reduction programs

The economics of inequality and poverty have taken center stage in the field of Development Economics as an increasing number of scholars, academic publications, and research centers have become devoted to this subject. There has been a sharp increase in the collection of poverty and inequality data. Many countries now implement controlled experiments to test the effectiveness of anti-poverty programs. There are new dedicated journals to the subject: e.g., the Journal of Economic Inequality and Poverty and Public Policy . Yet, few economics Ph.D. programs require (or even encourage) their students to acquire context-specific expertise about the geographical, political, cultural, and social characteristics of the countries that are the subject of empirical analysis. As such, academic institutions, international organizations, and national governments throughout the world have a high demand for students who have both quantitative skills and institutional knowledge about the causes of poverty and inequality.

Coursework for this field may consist of classes such as: (i) a standard development economics course; (ii) a specialized field course on the economics of inequality and poverty; and (iii) an elective that further relates to the student's dissertation topic, such as economics of education, health economics, urban economics, labor economics (including migration), and public finance. Electives may include courses and an independent study with of one of our cross-campus partners. There is potential for collaborative initiatives with partner academic and non-academic institutions in and outside the United States. The program provides graduate students pursuing dissertation research with connections to selected centers/institutes abroad including Colegio de Mexico , Mexico City; GRADE , Lima, Peru; and Universidad Nacional de La Plata and Universidad Torcuato di Tella , Buenos Aires, Argentina. Three members of the Department have joint appointments with the Stone Center for Latin American Studies and ample practical experience in the region, giving Tulane’s Department of Economics the right to boast of the highest percentage of faculty members with expertise and field experience in Latin America of any U.S. university.

Once again, this ability to combine rigorous quantitative skills with practical, context-specific knowledge from cross-campus and external partners distinguishes our program. A solid foundation in the tools of economic analysis combined with an equally firm footing on the practical issues that arise in the field positions graduates to look like very attractive job candidates. This is true for academic hiring, but proves to be especially appealing to international organizations –such as the UN system, the World Bank and regional development banks –specialized research institutions, NGOs, think-tanks, and government agencies in the U.S. and abroad.

Health economics and public health

Health economics is the third example of a successfully constructed field of concentration. Focus is on the complex relationship between human health and health policy. This field variant draws from the Economics Department's own strengths in health, labor, and economic history, as well as from the School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine's (SPH) expertise in health institutions and health policy. Three members of our Department conduct research on a variety of U.S. health topics. But in addition, the SPH –one of the top schools of public health in the world –has an additional four health economists on its faculty who mainly study health issues in Africa and other parts of the developing world. Economics Department students interested in health (and/or development) regularly take classes at the SPH, work as research assistants there, and receive dissertation mentorship and funding from SPH faculty. Once again: our students receive a very solid traditional foundation in the methods of modern economic analysis –the skills necessary to conduct rigorous empirical research –but they are also able to explore the mechanisms, institutional organization, and policies that affect both health outcomes and human-capital outcomes. By taking some of the core SPH Ph.D. courses they become fluent in the language of a second, closely entangled discipline.

In addition to the core foundation in economic and econometric theory and in the issues in health economics, our students who pursue this field might:

• learn about the main vectors of disease
• learn the empirical tools used to evaluate health programs and policies
• learn the theoretical and empirical tools necessary to evaluate the economic history of health and labor programs and institutions
• build up institutional knowledge about U.S. and global health systems
• conduct research at the forefront of health economics and labor economics

Coursework for this field may consist of classes such as the theory and empirical methods of health research, the theory and practice of causal inference, and topical research in health economics with a focus on health policy. But in addition, elective classes may include courses offered by the SPH.

Unique interdisciplinary training helps to distinguish our graduates from those in more traditional programs where health economists and public health experts sit in isolated intellectual silos. The cross-fertilization that is encouraged in our program and the ability to speak to and understand practitioners in closely related fields increases the chances of securing prominent job placements. Students who focus on health research will be gaining tools to enter academia, government, and the private or non-profit sectors. In addition, by forging formal relationships with faculty in both Economics and cross-campus partners, our graduates will learn about a broader range of the job opportunities for economists with expertise in health and labor.

Is the fourth and final example. Here the emphasis is on understanding the links between the labor economics, economic theory of human capital, public economics, educational institutions, economic history, and public policy. Just like every other department in the U.S. that offers a concentration on the economics of education, Tulane Ph.D. students who chose this field are well trained in the basic tools of microeconomic and econometric analysis and in the theories of public finance and education. However Tulane Econ also offers the potential for collaboration with leading institutions like the Cowen Institute for Public Education Initiatives and the Education Research Alliance .

• develop an understanding of the important economic functions of education
• develop an understanding of human-capital theory as it relates to education
• explore the need for public sector intervention in the sector and its interface with private actions and incentives
• build an understanding of the complex three-way interaction between students as principals and parents and government as agents
• master advanced skills in the techniques of causal inference
• gain hands-on experience in the bubbling cauldron of educational experimentation that is the New Orleans school system

Coursework for this field should include classes in public finance, labor economics, and education economics. Several dissertations currently being written are taking advantage of new databases being generated by the Education Research Alliance.

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UB Philosophy, Politics and Economics program faculty awarded $2.5 million to study rights, equality and freedom

‘The importance of this work is difficult to overstate,’ Ryan Muldoon says of the Templeton-funded project

By Bert Gambini

Release Date: July 17, 2024

Ryan Muldoon

Jacob Neiheisel

Alexandra Oprea

BUFFALO, N.Y. – The faculty of the University at Buffalo’s Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE) program has received a $2.5 million grant from the John Templeton Foundation for an innovative project that will demonstrate how diversity, disagreement and dynamism are crucial resources for fueling an open society, not problems to be managed.

The multimethod project will combine lab experiments, computer simulations, game-theory modeling and surveys with hands-on community work to better understand how these key concepts shape outcomes in real institutions in Buffalo, the Rust Belt, and the country at large.

Over a three-year grant period, the study will develop a systematic understanding of this open, dynamic framework and reveal mechanisms that liberal institutions use to harness diversity in ways that provide both scholarly impact and insights for local policy improvements.

Ryan Muldoon, PhD, a UB professor of philosophy who directs the university’s PPE program, is the grant’s principal investigator. He says the importance of this work is difficult to overstate.

“Liberalism is under attack in academic circles and in our politics,” he says. “We aim to provide liberalism with a more secure foundation that reveals how diversity, disagreement and dynamism are responsible for its success.”

Liberalism is a political philosophy focused on individual rights, political equality, freedom and consent of the governed.

Many contemporary liberal theorists focus on the idea of liberalism as an equilibrium of institutions, beliefs and values. But liberal rights, like free speech and free assembly, upend beliefs, institutions, and associational arrangements because they present new ideas and discoveries. 

“That dynamism is the core of liberalism,” says Muldoon. “The reason why liberalism is better than its global competitors, such as authoritarianism or different forms of perfectionism, is because it harnesses disagreements and diversity and channels it into productive outcomes.”

Many political theorists discuss liberalism in terms of the tools to manage problems that arise from diversity, according to Muldoon.

“Approaching liberalism like that is backwards,” he says. “Liberalism is enabled by diversity, and inclusion is the aspect of liberalism that keeps us from spinning off into polarization. So, ensuring our institutions are inclusive let us realize these benefits together, rather than splitting off from each other.”

Muldoon says the project is made possible by UB’s world-class group of PPE-oriented researchers. The grant will also fund a graduate student, three postdoctoral researchers and a lab manager.

“This will supercharge our research capacities,” he says. “Not only that, but it will help us grow PPE as a field, and deepen our engagement with the community.”

The grant’s co-principal investigators include fellow UB faculty members Justin Bruner, PhD, associate professor of philosophy; David Emmanuel Gray, PhD, associate teaching professor of philosophy; Jacob Neiheisel, PhD, associate professor of political science; Alexandra Oprea, PhD, assistant professor of philosophy; Alexander Schaefer, PhD, assistant professor of philosophy; and Erik Kimbrough, PhD, Chapman University professor of political economy and philosophy.

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Bert Gambini News Content Manager Humanities, Economics, Social Sciences, Social Work, Libraries Tel: 716-645-5334 [email protected]

West Liberty University

News and Media Relations

Official News Source of West Liberty University

Britt and Huggins Join WLU Foundation Board

July 24, 2024 By rbrown

West Liberty, W. Va., July 24, 2024 – The West Liberty University Foundation is pleased to announce the appointment of two new members to its Board of Directors. The newly appointed members – Dr. Kenith Britt, PhD and Dr. Brian Huggins, DO – bring a wealth of experience and a shared commitment to supporting the mission and strategic goals of West Liberty University.

Britt, a 2002 graduate of WLU, serves as the Chief Operating Officer and Chancellor of Marian University Indianapolis. In this role, Dr. Britt oversees academics, athletics, mission, enrollment, student life, and strategic growth initiatives across three campus locations. Under his leadership, the university has seen significant advancements in enrollment and marketing communications, contributing to its fundraising success of more than $50 million annually. Britt is an accomplished leader in the field of education with a rich background in advancing institutions through strategic growth and innovation.

Previously, Dr. Britt served as Marian’s SVP for Strategic Growth & Innovation, where he orchestrated the successful merger of marketing and enrollment departments, leading to record university enrollments. As the founding dean of the Fred S. Klipsch Educators College, he dramatically increased enrollment and raised $115 million to support the college’s vision.

Britt earned his Ph.D. in Educational Leadership from The Catholic University of America, an M.A. in Leadership Studies from Marshall University, and a B.A. in Elementary Education with a Minor in Mathematics from West Liberty University. He is the proud husband to Jessica Britt, a 2003 graduate of WLU, and father to four beautiful daughters.

An esteemed presenter and community leader, Dr. Britt has contributed to numerous conferences and publications on educational leadership and teacher preparation. His board appointments and memberships reflect his commitment to community service and educational excellence. His impact in Indianapolis led to his selection of the Indy’s Best and Brightest Award in 2017.

Huggins, a 2006 graduate of WLU, is the Health Officer of the Monongalia County Health Department where he is responsible for program objectives and standards that promote and support population health in Monongalia County and the surrounding counties. In addition, Huggins serves as the Chief of Aerospace Medicine for the United States Air Force Reserves, 910 Medical Squadron, Youngstown Air Reserve Station. He formerly served as Assistant Professor and Occupational Medicine Physician at the West Virginia University School of Public Health.

Huggins earned a Master’s Degree in Public Health from the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health, a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine and a BS in Biology and a Minor in Theatre from West Liberty University. He resides in Morgantown, WV with his wife Kat Timms.

“We are thrilled to welcome these distinguished individuals to our Board of Directors,” said Dr. Dan Joseph, Chairperson of the West Liberty University Foundation. “Their diverse expertise and passion for education will be invaluable as we continue to support the university’s mission and enhance the educational opportunities for our students.”

Britt and Huggins join a board that includes 21 other members, led by Chairman Daniel I. Joseph ’75, Wheeling, W.Va. and including: Jeremy West ’99 (Vice Chair), Wheeling, W.Va.; David Croft ‘89 (Treasurer), Wheeling, W.Va.; Anissa Anderson ‘94 (Secretary), New Martinsville, W.Va.; Marty Adams ’75, Naples, Fla.; Jason Blair ‘95, Mount Pleasant, S.C.; John Bonassi ’69, Pittsburgh, Pa.; Clyde Campbell ’53, Wheeling, W.Va.; Christine Carder ’72, Wheeling, W.Va.; Todd Cover ’98, Wheeling, W.Va.; John Dolan ’78, Indiana, Pa.; Linda Edwards ’64, Wellsburg, W.Va.; James Frum ’61, Wheeling, W.Va.; Diane Gongaware ’78, Fairfax, Va.; John McCullough, Triadelphia, W.Va.; Donald Nickerson ’82, Wheeling, W.Va.; E. Alex Paris III ’82, Avella, Pa.; Denise Penz ’97,Summerville, SC; Clifton Spinner ’87, Columbus, Ohio; Samuel Stone, Morgantown, W.Va.; Beth Weaver ’85, Wheeling, W.Va.

The West Liberty University Foundation supports the University through the cultivation, investment, and stewardship of private funds. For more information, please contact Executive Director Betsy Delk at [email protected] or 304-336-8847.

WLU MISSION

West Liberty University, established in 1837, was the first institution of higher education in West Virginia. Today, we are a dynamic, inclusive, student-centered community that cultivates scholarly exploration, experiential learning, creative expression, and global citizenship.

WLU is a public university committed to providing students with a comprehensive education from undergraduate to advanced degrees while serving as the region’s leading advocate for the arts, education, research, and economic opportunity.

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Liberty University's online programs offer you the flexibility to study at your own pace, from your home or office, while retaining a level of structure that will help you stay on track toward achieving your educational goals. You'll receive a quality education - that is both flexible and affordable - from an accredited institution.

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Public Policy – Education Policy

Make students’ futures brighter with a ph.d. in public policy – education policy.

Liberty University’s Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Public Policy – Education Policy can give you the advanced expertise you need to make a positive impact on local, state, and national education policies. If you want to influence students on a wide scale by evaluating current education standards and policies as well as direct the future of educational systems, Liberty’s Ph.D. in Public Policy – Education Policy will give you the preparation you need!

Whether you want to focus on furthering education policy research or help train the next generation of educators to revitalize school systems across the country, Liberty’s Ph.D. in Public Policy – Education Policy will give you the in-demand skills you need.

What Will You Learn in our Doctoral Degree in Public Policy –Education Policy?

• Policy analysis and statesmanship
• Economics and public policy
• Statesmanship, federalism, and intergovernmental relations

With a specialization in education policy, you can use your policy-making and legislative expertise to tackle the most challenging problems in K-12 or higher education. Liberty’s Ph.D. in Public Policy – Education Policy provides an in-depth, specialized examination of best practices and theories in education that impact the administration of school and university systems. With guided research and training from experienced education professionals with real-world policy experience, you can pursue your academic goals while maintaining your biblical principles.

You may also be interested in exploring our Ph.D. in Public Policy – General or our social policy specialization. 

Potential Career Opportunities with a Ph.D. in Public Policy

• Academic specialist
• Director of education policy
• Education researcher
• Public interest/advocacy groups
• Senior public policy analyst

Benefits of Choosing Liberty’s Ph.D. in Public Policy – Education Policy

As a leader in distance education since 1985, we understand what it takes to create a flexible and affordable education for busy people. Since we have been investing in distance and online learning for decades, our experience has taught us how to streamline our degree options so you can focus on what really matters to you. While many schools offer online degrees, we believe Liberty stands out.

Here’s what sets us apart:

• We are recognized by multiple institutions for our academic quality, affordability, and accessibility . Our commitment to excellence also helped us rank in the top 10% of Niche.com’s best online schools in America . Earning your online Ph.D. in Public Policy degree from a nonprofit university with this kind of recognition can help set you apart from others in your field.
• The majority of tuition for undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs has not increased in 9 years. While many other online colleges have raised tuition, Liberty has been able to keep costs low as a nonprofit university.
• You can complete our online Ph.D. in Public Policy in as little as 3 years.

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We want to help you find the doctoral degree you want — at a price you’ve earned. As a thank-you for your military service, Liberty University offers eligible current and former service members like you or your spouse multiple pathways to earn a doctoral degree for only  $300/credit hour . Here’s how:

• If you’re earning or have earned a master’s degree through Liberty, you automatically qualify for the low price (when you begin within 2 years of your master’s completion).
• If you haven’t earned a graduate degree through Liberty, our Executive Certificate program allows you to pay only $300/credit hour for a postgraduate certificate that can stand alone or potentially count as the first 21 hours of a related doctoral degree. Then pay just $300/credit hour for your doctorate. Learn more!

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Complete assignments at your own pace, at a time convenient to you within each week.

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Each of our programs is grounded in biblical principles, and our professors consider teaching to be more than a job – it’s their calling.

Liberty’s online courses give you the ability to choose when and where you study.

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87% of all Liberty students in an online program are awarded financial aid.

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As a nonprofit university, we have been pioneering distance education since 1985 and offer a unique and proven approach to online education.

Along with our advanced accreditations, we also have been recognized by the following organizations for our excellence in education.

Liberty University is proud to announce that we are recognized by multiple institutions for our affordability, accessibility, and academic quality. Our commitment to excellence also helped us rank in the top 10% of Niche.com’s best online schools in America .