phd in public administration

PhD in Public Policy

In this section.

• Economics Track
• Judgment and Decision Making Track
• Politics and Institutions Track
• Science, Technology and Policy Studies Track
• Current Students
• Doctoral Student Handbook
• Dissertations & Job Placements
• PhD Student Life
• Faculty & Research

As an exceptional scholar, you want an exceptional graduate program.

The PhD in Public Policy (PPOL) program provides the advanced graduate training you need to successfully launch yourself into a research or related position in academia, government, a nongovernmental organization, or the private sector. 

You will get the training you need to conduct analytical research, help shape and execute policy, and teach the next generation of educators, researchers, and practitioners. The program encourages scholarly research that empowers public policy practitioners like you to make informed decisions and be leaders in their fields. 

Using economics to understand the cost of inequity and discrimination

An applied microeconomist, Lauren Russell PPOL PhD 2023 headed to the Federal Reserve Board to continue her study of racial disparities.

The Complete PhD

The PPOL admits students to one of four tracks: Economics ; Judgment and Decision Making ; Politics and Institutions ; and Science, Technology and Policy Studies .    

PPOL graduates enter the workplace prepared to teach, carry out research, and make a profound impact in academia, while for others the degree leads to productive careers in think tanks, multinational organizations, NGOs, or the private sector.

"I've joined two research labs at HKS: Jennifer Lerner's and Julia Minson's. The brainstorming, feedback, and mutual pursuit of important research that comes from working in the labs is truly fulfilling."

Doctoral Program Admissions

Funding your doctoral education.

PhD Programs Home

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

• Request Info

(202) 885-6230

[email protected]

Kerwin Hall, Room 306 on a map

Back to top

Register now for an SPA Ph.D. Information Session! Email [email protected] to learn more and register.

Doctoral Programs (On-Campus)

Our PhD programs position students in the national center of influence and relevancy. Here in our nation’s capital, they dive into research that addresses today’s most pressing challenges and produce scholarship with real-world connection and immediate impact.

Our doctoral programs are full-time, cohort-based degrees that draw from the breadth and depth of resources across American University. This rigorous training is rooted in contemporary theory, principles, practices, and research methods in public administration and policy; government and politics; and justice, law, and criminology. Students come to American University for the chance to study firsthand with experts and work closely with prominent scholars whose cutting-edge research activities and professional roles play key roles in national and global issues.

We pride ourselves on growing the next generation of leading scholars. Indeed, we encourage students throughout the course of their graduate careers to present papers at major academic conferences, co-author papers with faculty members, publish in top journals, and seek prestigious awards. By the time our students complete the program, they have already produced methodologically sound, socially relevant research advancing knowledge and theory. They are prepared for university teaching and research or a career as an authority and leader within their respective fields.

Our graduates are competent in areas critical to success as academics and researchers. They are able to:

• Identify, explain, and connect key theories and controversies to policy implications;
• Critique extant scholarship independently, and point out, where relevant, weaknesses in theoretical frameworks, study designs, data analyses, and conclusions;
• Synthesize scholarly literature to support an original argument;
• Formulate sound research questions or hypotheses that address limitations of existing scholarship;
• Design sound empirical studies to test specific research questions or hypotheses;
• Analyze data and draw conclusions to answer research questions or hypotheses; and
• Communicate in a clear and organized manner.  

More Information: On-Campus Doctoral Programs

PhD Justice, Law & Criminology

Prepare for university teaching and research, and a career as an authority and leader in these fields.

PhD Political Science

Dive deeply into the policy and politics of official Washington and produce meaningful research with profound impact.

PhD Public Administration & Policy

Produce methodologically sound, socially relevant research that makes important contributions to knowledge and theory.

Please send me information

It looks like you already used that name and address to request information for one or more AU graduate program(s).

If you have not previously requested AU graduate program information, create a new request

• Quick Links
• Campus Directory
• Events Calendar
• Human Resources
• Student Services
• Auraria Library
• Emergency Management & Campus Safety
• University Policies
• Public Health Resources
• News for Faculty and Staff

Schools & Colleges

• College of Architecture and Planning
• College of Arts & Media
• Business School
• School of Education & Human Development
• College of Engineering, Design and Computing
• College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

School of Public Affairs

Campus affiliates.

• CU Anschutz Medical Campus
• CU Colorado Springs

Doctor of Philosophy in Public Affairs

The PhD program emphasizes scholarship in public administration, public policy, public management, and criminal justice/criminology in preparation for positions in academia and consulting firms, public management and administration, public policy analysis, politics and advocacy, and nonprofits.

Best Public Affairs Program

2024-2025 Best Graduate Schools Rankings

U.S. News & World Report 

Total Credits

Tuition & Fees

Approximately $40,000*

Full Time or Part Time

Time to Degree

Full Time: 4 Years

Part Time: 6 Years

Application Deadline

Domestic applicants: Feb 1

International applicants: Jan 15

Faculty Mentorship

Students are more likely to be successful in the PhD program when their research interests overlap with members of the faculty. Potential students applying to the program are urged to make an effort to learn about the faculty members at the School of Public Affairs, their academic research interests, their resumes, and their various specializations. Potential students can find out about faculty by taking courses, talking directly with faculty members, and talking with current PhD students. When applying to the PhD program, student candidates should explicitly identify one to three faculty advisors in their statement.

View faculty bios

Financial assistance.

The School of Public Affairs will fund a small number of doctoral research assistantships each year based on financial availability and qualifications of the applicant. If you are a potential or incoming PhD student interested in one of these positions as a part of your admission, please contact [email protected] . 

PhD Curriculum

Learn about the courses you need to complete to earn the Doctor of Philosophy in Public Affairs.

Required Courses (24 credits)

Core courses are offered in person only:

• PUAD 7007: Qualitative Research Methods (3 credits)
• PUAD 8010: Historical & Comparative Foundations of Public Administration (3 credits)
• PUAD 8020: Seminar in Public Management (3 credits)
• PUAD 8030: Seminar in Public Policy (3 credits)
• PUAD 8040: Seminar in Economic & Institutional Foundations of Public Affairs (3 credits)
• PUAD 8050: Quantitative Methods I (3 credits)
• PUAD 8060: Seminar on The Conduct of Empirical Inquiry (3 credits)
• PUAD 8070: Quantitative Methods II (3 credits)

View course descriptions

Elective courses (6 credits).

Complete 6 credit hours of graduate-level elective courses relevant to the student's dissertation plans. With approval of the PhD program director, students may apply graded graduate-level credit taken at other universities toward their elective courses.

Comprehensive Exam, Dissertation Proposal & Dissertation (30 credits)

PhD students must take and pass the comprehensive exam immediately following the completion of their core courses. Admission to candidacy (advanced to candidacy) occurs after completing in a satisfactory manner all of their coursework, passing the comprehensive examination unconditionally, and achieving a grade point average of 3.33 in doctoral coursework.

Within a year of advancing to candidacy, students must defend a dissertation proposal. Upon completing their research, students must defend their dissertation.

• PUAD 8990: Doctoral Dissertation (30 credits total)

Learn more about dissertations

Learning objectives.

Students will have extensive background knowledge and analytical skills in areas related to public administration, public policy, public management, and criminal justice and criminology. This includes the following:

• Historical and comparative foundations of public administration
• Literature, concepts, and theories of public management
• Literature, concepts, and theories of public policy
• Institutional and economic analyses
• Quantitative and qualitative methods
• Conduct of empirical inquiry
• Formulation and implementation of a dissertation and effectively analyze and communicate the results of their research to peers and faculty.

Graduate Education at CU Denver

Academic catalog listing & program handbook.

Find additional information about academic policies, graduation requirements, and more.

• PhD in Public Affairs Catalog Listing 2024-25
• PhD in Public Affairs Handbook

Program Director: Dr. Deserai Anderson Crow

Professor; Co-Director, Center for Community Safety and Resilience

Browse upcoming events where you can learn about our graduate programs.

Loading items....

Meet our PhD students!

Alumni Spotlight: Tracy Altman, PhD

Tracy is the founder and Executive Director at Museum of AI, which produces immersive experiences and informal learning programs about artificial intelligence.

Alumni Spotlight: Dallas Elgin, PhD

Dallas is a research scientist at RTI International where he leads research and evaluation studies focused on increasing the effectiveness, equity, and efficiency of programs and policies designed to address adverse childhood experiences and social determinants of health among children and families.

Lawrence Street Center

1380 Lawrence Street

Denver, CO 80204

303-315-2228

• Financial Aid and Scholarships
• Next Steps After Admission
• Academic Advising
• Courses and Registration
• Internship, Capstone, Thesis and Dissertation Information
• Completing Your Program
• Student Success Resources
• Student Associations and Honor Societies
• Policies and Forms