phd public policy economics

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Economic Analysis & Policy

Our doctoral program in the field of economic analysis and policy prepares students for research careers in economics. The program offers rigorous training and has several distinct advantages:

Low Student-to-Faculty Ratio

First, enrollment in the program is small. This encourages close faculty-student contact and allows students to become involved in research very early. Students work first as assistants on faculty research projects and, as their interests and skills develop, on their own research. Students often begin their publishing careers before completing their degrees.

Flexible and Innovative Program

Second, the program is flexible and innovative; students can draw on both the school’s and the university’s distinguished faculty. In addition to the faculty in the economics group at Stanford GSB and in the university’s economics department, students have access to faculty in political and behavioral sciences; accounting and finance; mathematics, statistics, and computer science; and many other disciplines.

A Top-Ranked School

Third, the program is part of a top-ranked professional school. This setting allows students to gain a deeper understanding of the actual processes of business decision-making and public policy formulation.

Preparation and Qualifications

Students who enroll in this program have a substantial background in economics and mathematics. They are expected to have, minimally, mathematical skills at the level of one year of advanced calculus and one course each in linear algebra, analysis, probability, optimization, and statistics.

The faculty selects students based on predicted performance in the program. Evidence of substantial background or ability in the use of mathematical reasoning and statistical methods is important. Most successful applicants had quantitative undergraduate majors in economics, mathematics, or related sciences.

In addition to evidence of ability and letters of recommendation, the faculty considers carefully the applicant’s statement of purpose for pursuing the PhD degree. The successful applicant usually has clearly defined career goals that are compatible with those of the program.

Acceptance into the program is extremely competitive. Admitted applicants compare very favorably with students enrolled in the top economics departments of major universities.

Economic Analysis & Policy Faculty

Mohammad akbarpour, claudia allende santa cruz, susan athey, lanier benkard, jeremy i. bulow, modibo khane camara, sebastian di tella, rebecca diamond, yossi feinberg, guido w. imbens, charles i. jones, michael ostrovsky, garth saloner, yuliy sannikov, kathryn shaw, andrzej skrzypacz, paulo somaini, juan carlos suárez serrato, takuo sugaya, christopher tonetti, shoshana vasserman, ali yurukoglu, weijie zhong, emeriti faculty, alain c. enthoven, robert j. flanagan, david m. kreps, peter c. reiss, john roberts, a. michael spence, robert wilson, recent publications in economic analysis & policy, battling the coronavirus ‘infodemic’ among social media users in kenya and nigeria, using wasserstein generative adversarial networks for the design of monte carlo simulations, adaptive novelty detection with false discovery rate guarantee, recent insights by stanford business, nine stories to get you through tax season, a.i. can help “personalize” policies to reach the right people, stanford gsb faculty share their holiday reading lists, placement director.

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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.

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"

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Recent News

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Student Profile: Raul Leon, MACRM Class of 2024

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Public Policy

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The flexible nature of the program allows you to choose your own path in areas that most interest you—from microeconomic research to international development to climate change. Whichever program track you choose—economics, politics & institutions, judgment and decision sciences, and science, technology, and policy—you will have the opportunity to conduct scholarly research using the vast resources of Harvard University.

Students in the program have been involved in many diverse projects such as water research allocation in Zambia, racial disparities in the criminal justice system in Massachusetts, and the politics of the American welfare state.

Graduates of the program have gone on to teach at MIT, Duke, University of Texas, Penn State, and Yale. Others now have influential positions with NGOs like Resources for the Future, private institutions such as JP Morgan and Analysis Group, and multilateral organizations including the World Bank and Global Innovation Fund. Among the many illustrious graduates of the program is Larry Bacow, president of Harvard University.

Additional information on the graduate program is available from the Public Policy Program and requirements for the degree are detailed in Policies .

Admissions Requirements

Please review the Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences admissions requirements and other information before applying. You can find degree program-specific admissions requirements below and access additional guidance on applying from the Public Policy Program .

Academic Background

Applicants are admitted and matriculate into one of the four tracks listed below. Ordinarily, matriculated students cannot change to a different track from the one to which they were admitted. In rare and exceptional circumstances, students can apply to change tracks by submitting an application to the Program. Visit the Public Policy program site for more information and to review the track-specific admissions prerequisites.

• Judgment and Decision Making
• Politics and Institutions
• Science, Technology and Policy Studies

Writing Sample

A writing sample is required as part of the application and should be no more than 20 pages long. The writing sample must be single-authored and written in English.

Standardized Tests

GRE General: Required Writing Sample: Required iBT TOEFL minimum score: 103 IELTS minimum score: 7

Theses & Dissertations

Theses & Dissertations for Public Policy

See list of Public Policy faculty

APPLICATION DEADLINE

Questions about the program.

Tepper School of Business

Economics and Public Policy

Within the Tepper School, Ph.D. students are not required to take courses, but they are required to pass qualifying examinations. Tepper School students (those in this joint program who matriculate through the Tepper School) take the following qualifying examinations:

• Microeconomics
• Econometrics
• Macroeconomics
• Public Economics

The microeconomics and macroeconomics qualifying exams are the same exams that all Tepper School Economics Ph.D. students take. The microeconomics exam covers Microeconomics I, Microeconomics II, Game Theory and Applications, and Economics of Contracts. The macroeconomics exam covers Macroeconomics I, Dynamic Competitive Analysis, and Computational Methods for Economics. Students in the joint program may satisfy the econometrics requirement in one of two ways. They may take the Tepper School qualifying examination in econometrics, or they may take the Heinz quantitative requirements course sequence and take a qualifying examination based on that course sequence.

Students with appropriate preparation prior to their entry to the program may choose to take the qualifying exams prior to the third semester, however, they must take the entire set of qualifiers as outlined above.

Commentary on Course Requirements

In large measure, the course requirements combine those of the separate programs. The changes are as follows:

Tepper School:

• Students will have the flexibility to take either the Tepper School’s or Heinz’s econometrics sequences.
• The research seminar requirement is reduced from a two to one course requirement. We anticipate that Public Economics will be taught in research seminar format. Further, we wanted to reduce the course work demands in an already demanding curriculum. Note that the research seminar requirement is similarly reduced in the joint statistics Ph.D. program.

P lease visit our Ph.D. Student Profiles page t o view the profiles of our current doctoral candidates. 

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PhD Program

Wharton’s highly selective Ph.D. program in Applied Economics offers students many resources not available at other institutions, such as a 1:1 faculty to student ratio and an up-front guarantee of five years of funding with minimal teaching requirements. Combining the faculties of the departments of Real Estate and Business Economics & Public Policy, Wharton’s Applied Economics program leverages the breadth and depth of its faculty to prepare students for careers doing frontier theoretical and empirical research. Students can focus on a variety of areas including Behavioral Economics, Development Economics, Energy and Environmental Economics, Industrial Organization, Market Design, Public Economics, Risk Management, and Urban Economics and Real Estate. Students may also develop an inter-disciplinary focus by taking courses and working with faculty in some of the other departments at Wharton such as Finance, Health Care Management, Management, and Marketing.

All admitted students are granted a fellowship, including tuition, fees, and stipend.  Details about the application process, deadlines and requirements are available here

Program Requirements

Prospective students interested in pursuing a degree in Applied Economics  must apply for admission to the Wharton Doctoral Programs in Applied Economics.

Applicants may, if they wish, indicate a preferred field of study in their application. All applicants must provide valid test scores — the Applied Economics program accepts only the GRE. We do not require a minimum GRE score, however math scores among students admitted in the last few years were all above the 90 th percentile. In making our decision, we look at your GRE scores as well as the rest of your application: grades, coursework, work and research experience, essays, and recommendation.

We recommend at least three courses in mathematics, such as calculus, linear algebra, and real analysis, and at least three courses in statistics/econometrics. We prefer an economics undergraduate degree along with the math requirements noted above or a math/statistics degree with several courses in economics (at least up through intermediate microeconomics and macroeconomics).

Course Information

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• Course Schedule
• Doctoral Inside: Resources for Current Phd Students

More Information

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Public Policy and Economics

Degree requirements for the public policy & economics phd program.

** Note that some requirements may change after the time of publication. Similarly, it is likely that not all courses described below are offered each semester. It is the responsibility of the student to verify information about degree requirements with the directors of graduate studies in public policy and economics.

Economics Department Course Requirements

Economic Theory

Students must take core sequences in micro- economic theory (Economics 601, 602, 603, 604) and in macro-economic theory(Economics 605 & 607). Preliminary exams are given in August in microeconomics and macroeconomics. Failing a preliminary exam for a second time is grounds for dismissal. Satisfactory performance in these examinations is a prerequisite for continuing inthe program. 

Mathematics and Statistics

Students must demonstrate competence in mathematics, statistics, and econometrics by successful completion of Economics 600,671, and 672, or by passing written equivalency examinations. Students who do not place out of the math and statistics coursesmust receive at least a B in each of these courses.

Areas of Specialization

Students must complete two courses in an area of specialization and successfully pass a written preliminary examination in the area of specialization. Note that doctoral students in the Economics Department who are not part of the joint program must complete courses in two different areas of specialization (generally four courses total).

  Public Policy Specific Course Requirements:

(Rackham requires all doctoral students to maintain a 3.0 GPA overall to be in good standing. In addition to this, joint doctoral students must obtain a B- or better in each required public policy course. Students should consult their disciplinary department for any similar requirements in the department required courses.)

• 1 course in policy institutions (3 credits) – typically students take a 600 level Political Science course, but students may petition the PhD Program Director to allow another course to count toward this requirement.
• 1 course in methods (3 credits) – typically students take Survey Methods 600, Econ 675 or Public Policy 821 but students may petition the PhD Program Director to allow another course to count toward this requirement. Note that students who take the Econometrics field sequence will automatically meet this requirement.
• 2 courses in a substantive policy area (6 credits total) – at least one of these courses must be taken outside the student’s home social science department, and both courses must be approved by the PhD program director. 
• Policy seminar (4 semesters, 1 credit per semester) – Public Policy 810 – This seminar meets bi-weekly and students are required to enroll in this course during their first two years in the PhD program.

Third-Year Economics Paper & Third-Year Public Policy Paper

Both the economics department and the Joint Public Policy and Economics program have a third-year paper requirement. Students typically submit the same paper to satisfy both requirements. To fulfill this requirement, students must complete an originalresearch paper on a policy-related economics topic, which must be approved by at least two faculty members (one in the Economics Department and one in the Ford School). This paper may be related to papers written for doctoral courses and may (but does not need to) lead into the dissertation proposal. The goal is a paper that would eventually be suitable for publication.

Annual Student Evaluation

Reviews for students in the joint Public Policy and Economics program will follow the general timeline and structure of reviews for doctoral students in Economics, with an important difference being that reviews for joint students will incorporate feedback from advisors in both the Ford School and the Economics department, and the feedback will be provided jointly by the director of graduate studies in Economics and the director of doctoral programs at the Ford School. 

Each student’s progress will be reviewed annually, typically at the end of the academic year. The process is as follows:

• Students will be asked to identify an advisor in both the Ford School and the Department of Economics, and then complete a self-evaluation form that outlines the progress they have made over the course of the year.
• For students in years 1 and 2, the student’s Ford School advisor will be asked to complete a short form discussing the student’s performance.  For students in year 3 and beyond, both the student’s Ford School advisor and his or her Department of Economics advisor will be asked to complete this form.
• The DGS in the Ford School and the DGS in the Department of Economics will then meet to discuss the student’s progress, incorporating information from the student’s self-report, the advisor reports, the student’s transcript and other relevant information (e.g., completion of required exams). 
• The DGS’s will then prepare a joint letter to provide feedback to the student.

Note: A student must be enrolled the semester during which a preliminary examination is taken. Registration may be under the 990, Candidacy Preparation, course number or another number in Economics or Public Policy. According to the RackhamGraduate School, IF the student HAS been enrolled on a full-time basis in the preceding fall and winter terms, he/she is notrequired to enroll for the term (summer half-term) in which the prelim is taken.

More information regarding the economics department requirements can be found in documents titles ‘ Department Regulations Affecting the PhD Program ’ and ‘ Economics Welcome Packet Letter ’ distributed by the Economics department.

Prospectus Defense

A student’s prospectus defense typically occurs in the 4th or 5th year, although the timing of prospectus varies somewhat with the student’s discipline; joint students should follow the norms of their disciplinary department. During this time, a doctoral candidate lays out his/her intended dissertation research to their committee members. The prospectus defense is done in person with as many members present as possible. If necessary, some members are able to call-in. All committee members must approve the prospectus defense.

Prospectus committee members are assumed to be the same as a student’s final dissertation committee (please refer to Rackham’s guidelines for the composition rules). We request prospectus committees to consist of at least four faculty members, three of whom are members of the Graduate Faculty, and two of whom are from the doctoral candidate’s home program. Furthermore, each joint doctoral program committee must have one committee member from each department (Ford School and Economics).

Typical Plan for Public Policy & Economics Students

Fall  

Mathematics

Micro Theory I

Micro Theory III

Macro Theory I

Econometric Analysis I

Policy Seminar

Micro Theory II

Micro Theory IV

Macro Theory II

Econometric Analysis II

PRELIM EXAMS

Micro & Macro Theory

GSI Training Course

Economics Field Course #1 *

   ECON 675

Applied Econometrics

   PUBPOL 810

Economics Field Course #2 *

Substantive Policy Course #1

Policy Institutions Requirement:

  POLISCI 622 (or other approved course)

American Political Institutions

Third Year Paper Course:

   ECON 695

Intro to Economic Research I

Substantive Policy Course #2

   ECON 696

Intro to Economic Research II

Summer  

Advance to Candidacy

PUBPOL 995 or ECON 995

Dissertation Candidate

* These courses will depend on the area of specialization chosen by the student and may vary somewhat from year to year.

Have any questions?

Kathryn Cardenas

Phd and fellowship coordinator, student & academic services, student & academic services.

• 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 microeconomic theory 
• A university-level course in statistics 
• At least two semesters of calculus 
• Mathematics courses up to and including multivariable calculus   

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

Importantly, 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.

Ph.D. in Public Policy – Economic Policy Pioneering Economic Policy Solutions

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Earn a Ph.D. in Economic Policy So You Can Voice Ideas for Better Fiscal Policies

Do you want to serve the public interest and address today’s national and global economic challenges? Liberty’s Ph.D. in Public Policy – Economic Policy 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. Our Ph.D. in Public Policy degree program 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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Why Choose Liberty’s Ph.D. Degree in Public Policy?

You can complete our Ph.D. in Public Policy degree 100% online, which means you can stay connected with your family, career, church, and community while you pursue your Ph.D. You can also benefit from instruction and mentorship grounded in Christian ethics from faculty members who are industry leaders and experienced policymakers. Liberty’s online Ph.D. in Public Policy – Economic Policy will allow you to pursue academic excellence without compromising your values or passions.

As a pioneer in distance education, Liberty University is committed to bringing you exceptional academics without slowing you down. You can be confident that we’ve taken the time to learn what’s important to you. We provide our students with a quality, affordable education in a convenient format. Choose a school that looks forward to working with you to accomplish your personal and career goals.

What Will You Study in Liberty’s Doctoral Degree in Public Policy – Economics?

This online doctoral degree can help train you to effectively shape economic policy in the areas of legislation, communications, politics, education, and international relations. You will complete an advanced study of policy and governmental functions while you pursue original research in an area of your choice.

By combining public policy with fiscal training for national and global contexts, you can gain a well-rounded understanding of the public policy field. Our degree is designed to help equip you to analyze problems and develop effective solutions.

Potential Career Opportunities

• Economic policy researcher
• Government administrator
• Senior public policy analyst

Featured Courses

• PLCY 700 – Foundations of Public Policy
• PLCY 704 – Economics and Public Policy
• PLCY 805 – Policy Analysis and Research Design
• PLCY 870 – Introduction to Economic Policy Studies

Degree Information

• This program falls under our Helms School of Government .
• View our Graduate Government Course Guides (login required).

Degree Completion Plan (PDF)

Not sure what to choose?

Speak to one of our admissions specialists to help you choose the program that best fits your needs.

• Tuition & Aid

Your success is our success, which is why we are committed to providing quality academics at an affordable tuition rate. While other colleges are increasing their tuition, we have frozen tuition rates for the majority of our undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs for the past 9 years – and counting.

Eligible current and former military service members and their spouses may qualify for a special rate of $300/credit hour ( learn more ) .

All Tuition & Fees

Financial Aid & Scholarships

Financial Aid Forms & Eligibility

Scholarship Opportunities

Admission Information for the Ph.D. in Public Policy

Admission requirements.

• A non-refundable, non-transferable $50 application fee will be posted on the current application upon enrollment (waived for qualifying service members, veterans, and military spouses – documentation verifying military status is required) .
• Send official college transcripts (mailed as sealed, unopened copies or sent via a direct electronic transcript system). A regionally or nationally accredited master’s degree with at least a 3.0 GPA is required for admission in good standing.
• Applicants whose native language is other than English must submit official scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or an approved alternative assessment. For information on alternative assessments or TOEFL waivers, please call Admissions or view the official International Admissions policy .

Preliminary Acceptance

If you are sending in a preliminary transcript for acceptance, you must:

• Be in your final term and planning to start your doctoral degree after the last day of class for your master’s degree.
• Complete a Master’s Self-Certification Form confirming your completion date. You may download the form from the Forms and Downloads page or contact an admissions counselor to submit the form on your behalf.
• Submit an official transcript to confirm that you are in your final term. The preliminary transcript must show that you are within 6 credit hours of completion for a 30-48 credit hour master’s degree or within 9 credit hours of completion for a 49+ credit hour master’s degree.
• Send in an additional, final official transcript with a conferral date on it by the end of your first semester of enrollment in the new doctoral degree.

Transcript Policies

Official college transcript policy.

An acceptable official college transcript is one that has been issued directly from the institution and is in a sealed envelope. If you have one in your possession, it must meet the same requirements. If your previous institution offers electronic official transcript processing, they can send the document directly to [email protected] .

Admissions Office Contact Information

(800) 424-9596

(888) 301-3577

Email for Questions

[email protected]

Email for Documents

[email protected]

Liberty University Online Admissions Verification

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Lynchburg, VA 24515

Ready to Apply?

Submit your application online or over the phone.

Apply by phone: (800) 424-9595

Liberty University is dedicated to providing world-class educational experiences to military students across the globe.

Who May Qualify?

• Active Duty
• Reserve/National Guard
• Veterans/Retirees
• Spouses of Service Members and Veterans/Retirees

Military Tuition Discount

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 . Find out how you can take advantage of this unique opportunity as you work toward your goal of reaching the pinnacle of your profession – for less.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long will it take to complete this ph.d. in public policy.

You can complete our online Ph.D. in Public Policy – Economic Policy in just 60 credit hours!

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PhD Program

The Department of Economics offers a joint PhD in Economics and Public Policy in conjunction with The Fletcher School. This program offers an individually tailored degree with personal input from faculty members. Doctoral students will build a depth of knowledge in at least two specialized fields, and an ability to perform independent research that informs theory and/or policy with possible publication in a peer-reviewed journal. The Neubauer Family Program in Economics and Public Policy (PhD) received STEM designation in August 2020. A STEM-designated program is an academic program that falls under at least one of the approved categories from the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS). These categories are recognized by the government for their focus on science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) topics. Traditionally, with an F-1 visa, students were eligible for up to 12 months of Optional Practical Training (OPT). OPT allows students to work towards getting practical training to complement their field of studies in the U.S. once they have completed their program. STEM students are allowed to apply to extend that period of time even for up to 24 months.

Neubauer Family Program in Economics and Public Policy (PhD)

Collaborative program in which students are full members of both the Department of Economics, and The Fletcher School and its vibrant and interdisciplinary public policy community.

Please visit our admissions website for comprehensive information on our admissions processes and requirements, deadlines, financial and merit aid options, forms and instructions.

Graduate Admissions Tuition and Aid Request Information

For program-specific information , please contact Debra Knox , or the PhD program director:

• Margaret McMillan , Program Director for PhD in Economics and Public Policy

• University of Kentucky

• Main Menu / Search

Doctoral Program (PhD)

The doctoral degree in public policy and administration offered by the University of Kentucky through the Martin School of Public Policy and Administration is an academic credential of the highest order. Since 1988, the Martin School has offered a doctoral degree in public administration (now public policy and administration) to prepare scholars and leaders for distinguished careers in public service. Our Ph.D. program was ranked #4 by the National Research Council. 

The Ph.D. program is designed to prepare graduates to carry out sophisticated research at the frontier of public policy and administration theory. It provides knowledge of the principle core features of organizational behavior and administrative decision making in public and quasi-public organizations; the development of public budgets and management of public finances; an understanding of the critical aspects of public policy processes, including the interrelationships of economic, political and social factors that facilitate and constrain change. Our graduates have an ability to apply research and analytical methods to the analysis of policy and administrative problems, and an in-depth understanding of policy issues and analytical approaches in a functional public affairs area.

Preparation and Curriculum

Many incoming students hold a master's degree in public policy, public administration, political science, economics, agricultural economics, or business administration. All students are also expected to have a strong background in research methodologies. Students who have not had adequate preparation in specific courses may be required to enroll in pre-requisite courses prior to entering certain Ph.D. classes. Details about these requirements will be provided by the Director of Graduate Studies,  Dr. David Agrawal . 

Course work toward the Ph.D. in Public Policy and Administration is divided into four phases with a total requirement of 42 hours of graduate course work beyond the master's level as well as the completion and successful defense of a dissertation of original research. Course work includes 12 credit hours of core courses, 9 hours of research methods, 3 hours of economics, 3 additional hours of theory, and 15 hours in the area of concentration.

Core Curriculum (12 hours)

• PA 731: Fiscal/Budgetary Policy
• PA 742: Theory of Public Organizations
• PA 751: Public Policy Formulation and Implementation
• PA 752: Economics of Policy Analysis

Research Methods (9 hours)

• ECO 703 Introduction to Econometrics 
• PA 692 Econometrics for Policy Analysts 
• PA 792 Causal Inference

Theory (3 hours)

• AEC 503 Price Theory and Applications

Area of Concentration (15 hours)

• Public Financial Management
• Public Management
• Public Policy
• Education Policy

Current students

Doctoral Placements

We are incredibly proud of the achievements of our graduates. 

PhD Application Requirements

* T he GRE is no longer required for admission

• Transcripts (unofficial are accepted for the application; official transcripts are required before matriculation)
• Three letters of recommendation
• Please also indicate if you have previously applied to the Martin School?  If so, when? 
• How many years of paid public or non-profit experience have you had?
• Do you have support from any of the following programs: The Fulbright Foundation, and/or Government Support (Provide specific information).
• Please explain why you want to earn this degree at the Martin School and what your research interests are.
• CV or resume
• ​Please upload a sample of academic or professional work.

NOTE: we do not offer application fee waivers

Important Dates

February   15: Martin School application deadline to be considered for funding You can apply here  https://uky.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9GNkVmo9JkV7oSa

April 15: Graduate School deadline for international applications for fall semester

One month prior to classes starting (fall): Deadline for domestic students to apply

https://gradschool.uky.edu/apply

Advising Do I need to select an advisor prior to applying?

No.  However, if you know who you want to work with, please indicate that in your personal statement. The Martin School does its best to pair students with advisors who match their research interests. 

Meet our Researchers and discover who might work best for you.

Funding What about funding for the PhD program?

All PhD students will be considered for funding, but admission is highly competitive and selective via committee.  You do not have to apply separately for PhD funding. If you make satisfactory progress in the program, you can receive funding for four years.

International students TOEFL/IELTS

• International applicants with a degree in English-based instruction should send proof of this from the school directly to the Graduate School admissions officer
• International applicants with a domestic U.S. master's degree do not have to submit TOEFL/IELTS scores
• All others must submit official TOEFL (79 minimum) or IELTS (6.5 minimum) in your application

Contact Graduate Student Affairs

Director of graduate studies, phd.

Dr. David Agrawal Director of Graduate Studies, PhD,

Graduate Student Affairs Officer

Suzy Wampler Student Affairs Officer

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Community Development and Applied Economics

• Undergraduate Programs
• Community and International Development
• Community Centered Design Major
• Community Entrepreneurship
• Public Communication
• CDAE Minors
• Internships
• Dual Degree Program - Vermont Law & Graduate School
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• Master of Science in CDAE
• Master of Public Administration
• Master of Science in CDAE - Accelerated
• Master of Public Administration - Accelerated
• Peace Corps Coverdell Program
• Certificate of Graduate Studies in Community Resilience and Planning

Ph.D. in Sustainable Development Policy, Economics and Governance

• Courses in CDAE
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• Advising and Student Support
• Internship Program
• Peace Corps at UVM

College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

The Sustainable Development Policy, Economics and Governance (SDPEG) Ph.D. program offers a transdisciplinary doctoral education in the policies, practices and theories of sustainable development. By offering a core curriculum that includes applied policy and economic analysis, governance and process design, social science methods, and professional skills development, the program produces graduates capable of conducting original, applied research that is designed to support sustainability and resiliency across social, ecological, and technical systems. 

This degree will prepare students to assume positions as policy leaders in government, higher education, public and private sector organizations, non-governmental organizations, and research institutes with the expertise and vision to inform local, state, national, and international policy.  

Asim Zia, Director and Professor of Public Policy and Computer Science

Travis Reynolds, Associate Professor

Dan Tobin, Associate Professor

Trisha Shrum, Assistant Professor

David Conner, Professor

Josh Farley, Professor

Sarah Heiss, Associate Professor

Qingbin Wang, Professor

Anaka Aiyar, Assistant Professor

Joe Ament, Assistant Professor

Kate Mays, Assistant Professor

Benjamin Dangl, Lecturer

Edward McMahon, Adjunct Associate Professor

Pablo Bose, Professor

Stephanie Seguino, Professor Emerita

Gregory Rowangould, Associate Professor

Donna Ramirez-Harrington, Associate Professor

Brian Beckage, Professor

Elizabeth Doran, Research Assistant Professor

Jane Kolodinsky, Professor Emerita

Christopher Koliba, Professor Emeritus

Kelsey Gleason, Assistant Professor

Dana Rowangould, Assistant Professor

Degree Requirements

Milestones, guidelines and timeline to degree completion.

Minimum Degree Requirements

The degree requires a total of 75 credits. A minimum of 51 credits must be completed in residence. The residency requirement is completed by courses that:

1. are taken for graduate credit through the University of Vermont, and

2. are taken after the student has been admitted to the Graduate College.

The program’s course of study includes: 

1. 15-credit core 2. Up to 24 transfer credits from prior master’s degree (12 out of 24 transferable credits must meet pre-requisite requirements in statistical methods, research methodology, economics and policy process theory) 3. 15 credits of a pre-approved Certificate of Graduate Study or a customized sequence of advisor-approved graduate level elective courses 4. 21 dissertation research credits

15 credit core includes:

Requirements for Advancement to Candidacy for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy

Students will advance to candidacy following completion of the core curriculum, passage of a written and oral comprehensive exam, passage of the written dissertation and oral dissertation defense exam, and acquisition of teaching experience in the field of sustainable development policy, economics and governance. A GPA of 3.0 must be maintained.

Tuition Information

International Student Admissions

Funding Opportunities

Meet the Students

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Application Procedures & Admissions Requirements

We are no longer accepting applications for Fall 2024. Please check back in September 2024 for updated admissions guidelines. 

ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS INCLUDE:

• Master’s degree in public policy, public administration, economics, natural resources, engineering, ecology, food systems, political science or a closely related field, including social sciences, professional fields, and STEM
• Completion of graduate level course in statistical methods
• Completion of graduate level course in research methodology
• Completion of graduate level course in economics
• Completion of graduate level course in policy process theory
• Resume or Curriculum Vitae 
• Applicants must submit evidence of experience and success in the research process such as writing sample(s), and/or evidence of research experience(s) (e.g., theses, term papers, class projects, research reports and/or other descriptions of past research experience from academic or professional lives).
• The Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is optional.
• For international students whose native language is not English or who have not completed undergraduate or master’s degrees in English, scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the English Language Testing System (IELTS), or Duolingo must be submitted.

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PhD in Business Economics & Public Policy

The Department of Business Economics and Public Policy trains doctoral students in the application of microeconomic and econometric analysis to business strategy and economic and public policy issues.  We offer an individually tailored program that develops the required skills to conduct research and teach at highly ranked business schools and economics departments. Department faculty have published in the profession's most respected academic journals, including the  American Economic Review ,  Econometrica ,  the  Journal of Political Economy , Management Science ,  RAND Journal of Economics , and the  Review of Economic Studies .

Read the PhD Program brochure for more information.

Doctoral students can choose to major or minor in business economics. All students with a business economics major also choose a minor from one of the functional fields of business, such as finance, marketing, or strategic management, and are expected to integrate their economics research with these fields.

Take the next steps in your academic career.

Financial Aid

Doctoral Advisor

Haizhen Lin ,   Associate Professor of Business Economics, HH 3080,  [email protected]

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Additional resources

Economics & Public Policy

Choose start date: Start date: September 2024 Duration: Five to six years Deadline: Applications are now closed Fee: Fully funded Location: London, UK

Conduct research that informs policy and practice at global, national and local levels

The economics faculty sit within the Department of Economics and Public Policy . Faculty research interests cover a wide range of topics, including the economics of the environment, innovation, health, development, infrastructure and cities, energy and housing.   

You may also be co-supervised by faculty in other departments in the School, depending on your research interests. 

Research centres and partnerships

The Business School is home to several research centres and institutes, offering a diverse of activities that bring together academics and specialists.

Health Economics & Policy Innovation

Focussing on the incentives that drive productivity, innovation and health-related behaviours, and factors that determine the success of health policies designed and implemented by governments.

Climate Finance and Investment

Works to unlock solutions within capital markets to address the challenges posed by global climate change. 

Grantham Institute

The Grantham Institute sits at the heart of Imperial College London's work on climate change and the environment. They drive forward discovery, convert innovations into applications, train future leaders and communicate academic knowledge to businesses, industry and policymakers to help shape their decisions. 

Gandhi Centre for Inclusive Innovation

Linking innovation and entrepreneurship in companies and institutions globally, through thought leadership, research, technology and next-generation innovation models.   

Teaching experience

PhD students on the Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA) scholarship will undertake 150 hours of teaching assistant duties from year three of the programme. There will be opportunities for PhD students to engage in teaching activities within the Business School’s programmes, such as MSc Economics & Strategy for Business, our MBA suite, and our BSc Economics, Finance & Data Science. 

Doctoral Theses in Economics & Public Policy

Meet your faculty.

Our PhD programme fosters close collaboration between leading Economics & Public Policy faculty and doctoral students, developing your research interests and providing continuous support and guidance throughout the programme.  

Carol Propper

Franco Sassi

Jonathan Haskel

Marisa Miraldo

Richard Green

Pedro Rosa Dias

Esther Bøler

Reza Skandari

Explore more, doctoral programme.

Study your doctoral programme at a global top 10 university offering world-class faculty, leadership coaching, global business experience, industry connections, specialist careers support and an exciting London location. 

Request a brochure

Downloading a brochure is a great way to find out more about our programmes and discover which is right for you. 

Stay up to date

Keep up to date about news, events, and application deadlines for the Doctoral programme by joining our mailing list. 

University of Washington

Health Systems and Population Health

School of public health.

• Health Services Doctor of Philosophy
• Academic Experience
• Academic Programs

Advance the Future of Public Health Research

3-5 years / full time / seattle, wa.

The University of Washington Health Services Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) program trains the next generation of health services researchers and prepares them to become leaders in the field. Our graduates pursue research careers in top-tier universities, research and policy-making organizations, the health care industry, and government agencies. Recognizing the complex issues facing health services today and tomorrow, Health Services Ph.D. faculty and staff are committed to training students who will contribute to the health of diverse populations by producing high-quality, collaborative research on important topics and translating the results to practice and policy.

The Health Services Ph.D. program consistently ranks among the best in the United States. Our program offers exceptional instruction in research methods, evaluation, health care systems, health policy research, anti-racism, and the social determinants of health (the conditions of where people live, learn, work, worship and/or play).

Join our program and help make a difference in public health research.

Gain Unique Training

Our interdisciplinary Ph.D. program stands apart from others because of our team, curriculum, dedication to including anti-racist pedagogy in classrooms, and ongoing support for students and alumni.

Advance Public Health Research

All Ph.D. students are required to write a dissertation that significantly advances the state of knowledge in their chosen field, including having work published in academic journals.

Receive Expert Mentorship

Faculty are involved locally, nationally, and internationally in health services research and policy. They play an important role in improving health and shaping health care systems and policy worldwide.

Join Our Success

Our program attracts and welcomes strong scholars from unique and diverse backgrounds who have a passion for research. We aim to match each incoming student with funding and strong mentorship.

Application Dates

Application Opens September 1, 2024

Deadline December 15, 2024

Note: The program is no longer accepting applications for Autumn 2024 entry.

Information Sessions

Prospective Health Services Ph.D. students can register for and attend an information session to learn more about the program.

Stay Up-to-Date

Considering the Health Services PhD program? Sign up to receive email updates about upcoming application deadlines and more.

Alumni Connections

Health Services Ph.D. alumni can stay connected, learn about what their peers are doing, and support future public health professionals.

Our Social Media

Support students.

Help support future public health leaders today! Make a gift to a scholarship fund, such as the Health Systems Excellence, Equity, and Distinction (HSEED) Award.

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MIT’s Master of Applied Science in Data, Economics, and Design of Policy program adds a public policy track

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MIT’s Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL) and Department of Economics have announced an expansion of their jointly administered Master of Applied Science in Data, Economics, and Design of Policy (DEDP) program . This expansion adds a new public policy track to complement the existing international development track, opening up new avenues for student learning and research. 

Designed to tackle poverty alleviation and other pressing policy challenges in the United States and other high-income countries, the curriculum of the new track spans a diverse set of issues, from domestic concerns like minimum wage and consumer welfare to global matters including trade, climate change, and immigration. Applications for the public policy track will open this fall, with the inaugural cohort set to arrive on MIT’s campus in spring 2026.

The DEDP program, led by MIT professors and Nobel laureates Abhijit Banerjee and Esther Duflo, along with professors Sara Fisher Ellison and Benjamin Olken, was established with the mission of equipping diverse cohorts of talented professionals with the knowledge and skills to tackle poverty using evidence-based approaches. The new master’s degree track will support this mission while also underscoring the program’s commitment to addressing a broad array of critical challenges in the fight against poverty worldwide.

"The DEDP program has proven successful on many dimensions, and we are enthusiastic about leveraging its successes to address a broader set of social challenges,” says Ellison, a faculty lead for the program. “The public policy track will enable us to apply evidence-based methodology to poverty alleviation and other related issues in the context of high-income countries, as well. Given increasing levels of wealth and income inequality in these countries, we feel that the timing is opportune and the need is great."

The DEDP program distinguishes itself with an innovative admissions model that prioritizes demonstrated ability and motivation over traditional credentials, such as standardized tests and recommendation letters. To be eligible to apply to the master’s program, candidates must have earned a DEDP MicroMasters credential by passing five of the DEDP online courses. The courses are completely free to audit. Those who wish to earn a course certificate can pay a fee, which varies by the learner’s ability to pay, to take the proctored exam. While applications are reviewed holistically, performance in these classes is the primary factor in admissions decisions.

This approach democratizes access to higher education, enabling students from typically underrepresented backgrounds to demonstrate their potential for success. Notably, the program has welcomed many students from nontraditional backgrounds, such as a student who enrolled directly from high school (and who is now a second-year PhD student in economics at MIT), reflecting the ambition of its faculty directors to make higher education more accessible.

Sofia Martinez, a graduate of the class of 2023 and now co-founder of Learning Alliance , says, "Without the MicroMasters paving the way, applying to MIT or any similar institution would have been unthinkable for us. Initially, my aim in taking the online courses wasn't to pursue the residential program; it was only after witnessing my own progress that I realized the possibility wasn't so distant after all. This sentiment resonates with many in our cohort, which is truly humbling.”

Since its launch in 2020, the DEDP master’s program has conferred degrees to 87 students from 44 countries, showcasing its global reach and the success of its admissions model. Upon arriving on campus, students embark on an accelerated master's program. They complete a full course load in the spring, followed by a capstone project in the summer, applying the theoretical knowledge and practical skills gained through the program at research and policy organizations.

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70 years after brown v. board of education, new research shows rise in school segregation.

As the nation prepares to mark the 70th anniversary of the landmark U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Brown v. Board of Education , a new report from researchers at Stanford and USC shows that racial and economic segregation among schools has grown steadily in large school districts over the past three decades — an increase that appears to be driven in part by policies favoring school choice over integration.

Analyzing data from U.S. public schools going back to 1967, the researchers found that segregation between white and Black students has increased by 64 percent since 1988 in the 100 largest districts, and segregation by economic status has increased by about 50 percent since 1991.

The report also provides new evidence about the forces driving recent trends in school segregation, showing that the expansion of charter schools has played a major role.  

The findings were released on May 6 with the launch of the Segregation Explorer , a new interactive website from the Educational Opportunity Project at Stanford University. The website provides searchable data on racial and economic school segregation in U.S. states, counties, metropolitan areas, and school districts from 1991 to 2022. 

“School segregation levels are not at pre- Brown levels, but they are high and have been rising steadily since the late 1980s,” said Sean Reardon , the Professor of Poverty and Inequality in Education at Stanford Graduate School of Education and faculty director of the Educational Opportunity Project. “In most large districts, school segregation has increased while residential segregation and racial economic inequality have declined, and our findings indicate that policy choices – not demographic changes – are driving the increase.” 

“There’s a tendency to attribute segregation in schools to segregation in neighborhoods,” said Ann Owens , a professor of sociology and public policy at USC. “But we’re finding that the story is more complicated than that.”

Assessing the rise

In the Brown v. Board decision issued on May 17, 1954, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that racially segregated public schools violated the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment and established that “separate but equal” schools were not only inherently unequal but unconstitutional. The ruling paved the way for future decisions that led to rapid school desegregation in many school districts in the late 1960s and early 1970s.

Though segregation in most school districts is much lower than it was 60 years ago, the researchers found that over the past three decades, both racial and economic segregation in large districts increased. Much of the increase in economic segregation since 1991, measured by segregation between students eligible and ineligible for free lunch, occurred in the last 15 years.

White-Hispanic and white-Asian segregation, while lower on average than white-Black segregation, have both more than doubled in large school districts since the 1980s. 

Racial-economic segregation – specifically the difference in the proportion of free-lunch-eligible students between the average white and Black or Hispanic student’s schools – has increased by 70 percent since 1991. 

School segregation is strongly associated with achievement gaps between racial and ethnic groups, especially the rate at which achievement gaps widen during school, the researchers said.  

“Segregation appears to shape educational outcomes because it concentrates Black and Hispanic students in higher-poverty schools, which results in unequal learning opportunities,” said Reardon, who is also a senior fellow at the Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research and a faculty affiliate of the Stanford Accelerator for Learning . 

Policies shaping recent trends 

The recent rise in school segregation appears to be the direct result of educational policy and legal decisions, the researchers said. 

Both residential segregation and racial disparities in income declined between 1990 and 2020 in most large school districts. “Had nothing else changed, that trend would have led to lower school segregation,” said Owens. 

But since 1991, roughly two-thirds of districts that were under court-ordered desegregation have been released from court oversight. Meanwhile, since 1998, the charter sector – a form of expanded school choice – has grown.

Expanding school choice could influence segregation levels in different ways: If families sought schools that were more diverse than the ones available in their neighborhood, it could reduce segregation. But the researchers found that in districts where the charter sector expanded most rapidly in the 2000s and 2010s, segregation grew the most. 

The researchers’ analysis also quantified the extent to which the release from court orders accounted for the rise in school segregation. They found that, together, the release from court oversight and the expansion of choice accounted entirely for the rise in school segregation from 2000 to 2019.

The researchers noted enrollment policies that school districts can implement to mitigate segregation, such as voluntary integration programs, socioeconomic-based student assignment policies, and school choice policies that affirmatively promote integration. 

“School segregation levels are high, troubling, and rising in large districts,” said Reardon. “These findings should sound an alarm for educators and policymakers.”

Additional collaborators on the project include Demetra Kalogrides, Thalia Tom, and Heewon Jang. This research, including the development of the Segregation Explorer data and website, was supported by the Russell Sage Foundation, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.   

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