phd public policy linkedin

• Public Policy
• Introduction

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

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

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

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

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

Judgment and Decision Making

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

Politics and Institutions

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

Science, Technology and Policy Studies

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

The First Two Years

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

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

Economics 

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

Judgment and Decision Making   

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

Politics and Institutions 

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

Science, Technology and Policy 

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

Incompletes

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

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

First Two Years

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

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

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

Fourth Year

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

Field Requirements and Qualifying Examinations

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

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

General Oral Examination

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

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

Dissertation

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

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

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

A dissertation may be written in book form or it may take the form of three publishable papers. Two papers may be co-authored. The job market paper must be single-authored.

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

Dissertation Defense

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

Length of Time to Degree

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

Contact Info 

Public Policy Website

Explore Events

People & Community

Research & Impact

Career Services

Doctoral Program (PhD)

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

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

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

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

For more information about the PhD program, please review the Goldman School's 2023-2024 Program Bulletin .

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

Harvard Worldwide

Phd in public policy.

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

Office of the Vice Provost for International Affairs

Richard A. and Susan F. Smith Campus Center

1350 Massachusetts Avenue

Cambridge, Massachusetts 01238 USA

• Accessibility  

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

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

Ph.D. Program Requirements

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

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

Ph.D. Candidates on the Job Market

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

Ph.D. Placements

See where our graduates go on to make an impact.

Ph.D. Workshop

Engage with our students' research.

Program Details

Director of graduate studies.

Steven Durlauf , Professor ([email protected])

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

Associate Directors

Yana Gallen , Assistant Professor ([email protected])

Eyal Frank , Assistant Professor  ([email protected] )

Dean of Students

Kate Shannon Biddle ([email protected])

Program Director

Barbara Williams ([email protected])

"Here the Client is Truth"

Start making a difference today. Request Info Apply Now

Recent News

"before trump, here’s how some other countries prosecuted their ex-leaders", harris research cited in nytimes op-ed, student profile: tony jiang, mpp class of 2025, upcoming events, harris evening master's program open house.

Keller Center 1307 E 60th Street Chicago , IL 60637 United States

Ask Admissions: Data and Policy Summer Scholars Program (DPSS)

Environmental economics and policy lab (eepl) information session with alumni, you might also be interested in....

Alumni Profile: Alena Stern, MSCAPP’19

Student Profile: Raul Leon, MACRM Class of 2024

Harris Evening Master's Program Class Visit: Analytical Politics II - Politics and Policy Making with Professor Chris Berry

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

PhD in Public Policy

Interdisciplinary. experiential. scholarly focused..

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

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

Learning Outcomes

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

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

Applications for Fall 2022 are no longer being accepted.

For additional information, contact:

Daniel T. O’Brien

Program director.

617.373.8900 [email protected]

Type of Program

• PhD Program
• Daniel T. O'Brien

PhD Program Administrator

• Beverly Ballaro

Helpful Links

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

Get more information about this graduate program.

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

RESEARCH AT THE LEADING EDGE

Doctoral Studies in Public Policy & Management

Ph.D. Studies in Public Policy & Management

The doctoral program in Public Policy & Management at Carnegie Mellon University's Heinz College prepares students to apply a rigorous scientific approach to social, organizational, economic, and management problems in an increasingly connected world.

At Heinz, we live and work at the critical nexus of information technology and public policy. Our Ph.D. in Public Policy & Management was created to train students to approach problems from multiple disciplinary perspectives, to use advanced analytic and theoretical models, and to apply modern technological capabilities such as machine learning to the policy domain.

Heinz College Ph.D. students enjoy close partnerships with faculty as they explore the complex and exciting interconnectedness of information systems, public policy, and management. Upon graduating, our Ph.D.s receive desirable placements at academic institutions, government agencies, and consulting firms.

KEY RESEARCH AREAS

Doctoral students take on a broad range of topics and problems, but some key areas of strength at Heinz College include:

Analyzing and designing practical crime and drug policies is highly challenging. Many of our faculty have been working with sophisticated statistical and policy tools to understand the impact of various state and federal policies on crime rates and the sale of drugs. The research then leads to recommendations on how policies should be designed and updated.

Our faculty is widely acclaimed for their work and influence in this domain and have won top academic honors. Key faculty members are: Al Blumstein , Jon Caulkins , Amelia Haviland , and Daniel Nagin .

The functioning of energy markets and the consequences of environmental regulations have been widely debated in many countries around the world. Our faculty has been actively working on issues related to innovation in the energy sector, impact of energy infrastructure and energy production on local development and pollution, effects of air and water pollution on health outcomes, and the costs and benefits of environmental regulations.

Key faculty members are: Lee Branstetter , Karen Clay , Akshaya Jha , and Edson Severnini . 

CMU's Scott Institute for Energy Innovation  also has a number of faculty working on a broad array of topics related to energy and the environment.

The importance of health care policy cannot be overstated. Many faculty members are working on important role of competition, technology, and regulations that affect the cost and quality of health care delivery.

Our faculty is widely recognized for their academic excellence as well as influence on policy-making. Some key faculty are Martin Gaynor , Amelia Haviland , Rema Padman , and Lowell Taylor .

We have a strong group of faculty in the Management Science domain who use optimization/operations research techniques to solve public policy problems.

In particular, faculty such as Al Blumstein , Jon Caulkins , and Ramayya Krishnan   use these techniques to address problems related to urban planning and transportation research, policy analysis, data mining, and more.

This group is focused on understanding the role of social networks within organizations, the role of teams, and evidence-based analysis. Our faculty includes experts on network-based analysis who examine how influence diffuses. 

David Krackhardt uses his expertise in sociology, economics, and statistics to examine these issues. 

Denise Rousseau is a leading expert on evidence-based management within organizations.

Ph.D. Curriculum

The pre-dissertation stage of the Ph.D. in Public Policy & Management is structured around two sets of requirements: coursework and preliminary papers.

Coursework is designed to build methodological skills, modeling competence, and substantive depth.

Preliminary papers illustrate your ability to produce effective research that exhibits your readiness to begin the dissertation.

• A three-semester   Ph.D. Seminar Series   focusing on the research process
• Two semesters of   Advanced Electives offering depth in specialized fields
• Quantitative Methods Cluster   of courses in statistics, econometrics, and machine learning
• Two semesters of coursework in   Social and Policy Sciences
• Concentration Area Requirement , combining research and courses to support your research agenda and long-term professional objectives

Admission to candidacy means that all requirements of the Ph.D. program preliminary to the dissertation have been fulfilled. In addition to satisfying all coursework requirements, you must also meet the following research requirements:

• First- and second-year   Research Papers   meeting current Ph.D. requirements
• Dissertation focused on Public Policy   topic as per judgment of Ph.D. committee

While fulfilling these requirements, you'll work closely with the faculty to develop individualized programs of study and research that meet your goals.

Faculty & Research

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

New, creative research on urgent public policy problems happens here at Harvard Kennedy School.

Faculty members who are leaders in their scholarship fields advise our PPOL students on a range of research interests, including but not limited to: environmental and natural resource issues; international development; judgment and decision making; science and technology policy; health policy; and education policy.

Learn more about the interests and experiences of some of our core PhD faculty members.

PPOL Faculty Chair

Robert Stavins

Q&a with former national science advisor john holdren.

John Holdren , national science advisor to President Barack Obama, rejoined the Harvard Kennedy School faculty in February 2017 as the Teresa and John Heinz Professor of Environmental Policy. He served as assistant to the president for science and technology, director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, and co-chair of the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology.

Faculty Research & Insights

No easy choices, just big questions, for policymakers in health care and social programs, financial futures, electricity market restructuring: reforms of reforms, is robert mueller's legal team biased, examining the role of gender in the interplay between anger and risk-taking, no child left behind act has mixed results in texas schools, overcome implicit bias by changing your environment.

Listen to Professor Iris Bohnet discuss some of the lessons in her new book, “What Works: Gender Equality By Design.” Through both academic studies and anecdotes, she explains how gender equality is often prevented by unconscious biases that can’t be unlearned, but that can be diminished significantly by even small changes in the way we do things. She also details the business case for gender equality, which isn’t as straightforward as you might think.

Ph.D. in Public Affairs

Graduate Admissions Office 609-258-4836 [email protected]

Admissions Timeline

Clusters of Study

This five-year program is designed to prepare Ph.D. students for rigorous, policy-relevant research on the major threats to international and national security and the relevant strategies, institutions, and capabilities that will be needed to confront those threats.  

The cluster combines social science training in international security and national defense policy, focused study of specific regions of the world, and exploration of the technical and scientific aspects of proliferation, weapons innovations, terrorist and counterterrorist operations, and insurgency and counterinsurgency warfare. This is an in-residence program, though absences may be taken for approved field research.  

Areas of concentration include:

• Grand strategies
• Great powers and stability
• Civil-military relations
• Humanitarian intervention
• Arms control and proliferation
• The threat and use of force
• Cyber warfare
• Biological and chemical weapons
• Terrorism and civil conflict

For more information on program and curriculum specifics, visit the Security Studies page .

The STEP curriculum helps practitioners develop a deeper understanding of the nature of scientific and technological problems and opportunities, the specialized methods used for analyzing scientific and technological issues, and the dynamics of science and technology development and application. The course of study for a STEP Ph.D. student is developed by each student, working closely with a faculty advisor.  

The STEP group focuses on applications of natural and social science methodology in the policy arena. Emphasis also is placed on the interactions among natural and social science in policy analysis.  

• Global climate change
• Air pollution
• Conservation biology
• Tropical disease transmission
• Information technology
• Nuclear power
• Renewable energy

For more information on program and curriculum specifics, visit the STEP page .

At SPIA, we see our diversity as a strength. Having varied perspectives, diverse races and ethnicities, different abilities, cultures, and gender identities in the classroom not only enriches conversation, but it also prepares students to evaluate an issue from multiple angles to help develop thoughtful and effective policy. We welcome people from small towns and big cities, from the United States and different countries all around the world, from large public schools and small private ones, as well as individuals with a whole host of distinctive lived and experienced realities. All are welcome here.

Other schools ask you to invest in your education. At SPIA, we invest in you. If you are accepted into one of our programs, then you are eligible for full financial support for tuition and required fees plus a generous living stipend. There is no extra essay or separate application process.

Our Ph.D. Students

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

In The News

Gerrymandering and Elections

Caring About People is Intrinsic to our Work”

Leading Voice on Health Policy Joins Northeastern

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

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

• Bi-weekly “brown bag” lunches with faculty and invited guests on selected theoretical and policy issues.
• Teaching and research assistantships designed to sharpen student pedagogical and analytical skills.
• A summer research residency aligned with a student’s concentration area with Boston-area public, private, and nonprofit organizations.

Students engage in a number of different experiential activities:

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

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

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

Application Materials

Application.

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

Admissions deadline for Fall term entry: December 1

• Program Website

Request Information for PhD in Public Policy

• Youth Program
• Wharton Online

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

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

More Information

• Applied Economics Faculty
• Phd Photo Gallery
• Prospective Students to Phd Program in Applied Economics
• Job Market Placement

Admitted students visit campus to learn about MPA and MIPA programs

The La Follette School recently invited admitted graduate students to learn more about the school’s MPA and MIPA degrees so they can make an informed decision about attending UW–Madison. Over the course of two days in March and April, 30 in-person and 5 remote attendees visited the graduate programs to gather information and connect with current students, faculty, and staff.

Attendees learned about the La Follette School and the non-partisan, evidence-based education students receive through its MPA and MIPA programs. They also heard about program curriculum and had the opportunity to sit in on an engaging session of Associate Professor Christine Durrance ’s class PA 873: Introduction to Policy Analysis . Attendees got a glimpse of the student experience as the La Follette School Student Association led admitted students on a campus tour and current students answered prospective students’ questions during breakout sessions. Finally, La Follette faculty members Morgan Edwards , Denia Garcia , and Reed Lei gave advice and answered questions as part of a faculty panel.

“(The day) provided a rich overview of La Follette’s academic offerings – and, above all, invaluable introductions to the faculty and students that define the inclusive, supportive, and driven culture of the school,” said one admitted student. “The visit day reinforced my interest in joining the La Follette School as a next step in my policy-oriented career.”

To address the unique needs of international students, this year La Follette held its first Virtual International Student Visit Day with help from MPA students Francis Amedoadzi and Owen Jonas and project assistant Jennifer Unitan. “We showed that La Follette is a wonderful community that will show up to welcome and encourage each student,” says graduate program manager Mo O’Connor . “I believe the students who attended are feeling more confident in and prepared for their La Follette graduate experience.”

“These visit days are some of the most important events we have to showcase the La Follette School community, our graduate programs, and our campus,” says O’Connor. “The events are intentionally developed to encourage information sharing, connections, and experiences that help attendees get to know each other, as well as our current students, faculty, and staff. Most important, though, is that they leave with a sense of what to expect if they accept our offer.”

Much work went into sharing important information and experiences, making prospective students feel welcome, and recruiting a strong incoming class. The team effort was led by O’Connor with major help from project assistant Jennifer Unitan and outreach coordinator Mindy Walker . Many other current students, faculty, and staff also pitched in.

“It was clear just how much effort, planning, and care went into the day, and I really appreciate (O’Connor’s) and everyone else’s efforts to make it as valuable to me and the other prospective students as it was,” said one attendee.

Students who accept admission will join the La Follette School in fall 2024.

Subscribe to our newsletter

• Facebook Logo
• Twitter Logo
• Linkedin Logo

• Deans and Senior Leadership
• Faculty Directory
• Staff Directory
• Senior Scholars
• CUNY SPH Foundation
• Advisory Council
• Vision and Mission
• Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Policy and Compliance
• Committee for Equity and Inclusion
• Office of the Ombudsperson
• Institutional Effectiveness
• Our Future in Kips Bay
• Privacy Policy
• Why CUNY SPH?
• Admissions Requirements by Program
• Admissions Events
• Non-Degree Student Admissions Information
• Prospective International Students
• Connect with Admissions
• Admissions FAQ
• Newly Accepted Graduate Students
• Scholarships and Opportunities
• CUNY COVID-19 Policy
• Instructional Goal
• Department of Community Health and Social Sciences
• Department of Environmental, Occupational, and Geospatial Health Sciences
• Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics
• Department of Health Policy and Management
• CUNY SPH Online
• Masters Programs
• Doctoral Programs
• Specialization in Maternal, Child, Reproductive, and Sexual Health
• Nutrition and Dietetic Internship Program
• Certificate Programs
• Previous Curriculum (Spring 2019 and earlier)
• 4+1 Programs
• Online MPH program with University of Alcalá
• MD-MPH Collaborative Degree Program with Albert Einstein College of Medicine
• Doctoral Guidance
• Library Services
• Academic Resources
• Academic Policies
• Academic Calendar
• Whom to Contact for What
• Public Health Credentials
• Office of Sponsored Programs and Research
• Human Research Protection Program (HRPP)
• IRB Manager Portal
• Centers and Institutes
• Byllye Avery Sexual and Reproductive Justice Professorship
• UNFPA Partnership: 16 Days Campaign
• Harlem Health Initiative
• CONVINCE USA
• Decriminalizing Commercial Tobacco Control Enforcement for Racial Equity
• Press Clips
• Publications
• Podcast: Making Public Health Personal
• Human Resources
• IT Services
• Business Services and Finance
• Communications
• Office Supplies and Mail
• Information Technology
• Public Safety
• Title IX and Sexual Misconduct Policy
• Anti-Racism at CUNY SPH
• Lactation Support Room
• Employment Opportunities at CUNY SPH
• Outlook Email (@sphmail.cuny.edu)
• CUNY Virtual Desktop
• Financial Aid
• Career Services
• Veterans Affairs
• International Students
• Office of Accessibility Services
• Writing Assistance
• Quantitative Tutoring
• Student Wellness
• Essential COVID-19 Services
• Student Forms
• Academic Calendar and Class Schedule
• SPH Online Bookstore
• IT Resources for Students
• Identification Cards
• Student Emergency Fund
• Student Discounts
• FAQ for Current Students
• Graduate Student Government Association (GSGA)
• Delta Omega Honorary Society in Public Health
• Student Consumer Information/Right to Know
• Voter information
• Commencement 2024
• Outlook Email
• Digital Measures
• Office of Online Learning
• National Center for Faculty Development & Diversity
• Watermark Faculty Success (formerly Digital Measures)
• Research databases
• IT Resources for Faculty & Staff
• Faculty and Staff Resources

CUNY SPH ranks in the top 10% of all schools of public health in 2024 U.S. News & World Report rankings

We remain the #1 public school of public health in New York City, New York State and the tri-state area

In the latest U.S. News & World Report rankings  published Tuesday, CUNY SPH stands at number 18 out of 214 ranked schools and programs of public health nationwide, continuing its distinction of being in the top 10% of all schools and programs of public health nationwide.

The rankings are based on votes cast by the academic leaders of all public health schools and programs around the country. Respondents rate the academic quality of the programs on a scale of 1 (marginal) to 5 (outstanding).

“We once again thank our peers for the trust they have put in our school and are humbled by their confidence in us,” says Dean Ayman El-Mohandes. “We are truly proud of this achievement, a direct reflection of the critical role that our faculty, students and alumni play in partnering with government, policymakers, communities, health care providers and others to help address the pressing public health issues of our time. We also must thank CUNY Chancellor Félix Matos Rodríguez for his vision and the support he has provided CUNY SPH over the years.”

CUNY SPH has made great strides in the short time since its establishment as an independent college in 2016. Our graduation rates remain among the highest at 78%, and 96% of graduates are employed in the field or seeking the next level of graduate education within 12 months. Fully 99% of our students would recommend CUNY SPH to a prospective student. Over the past eight years we have doubled our student numbers, maintained a low student to faculty ratio of 10 to 1, and increased our research productivity nearly sixfold. We have also maintained our commitment to diversity, access and quality, and to serving our community partners in New York City, New York State, across the nation and globally.

“The latest rankings from U.S. News and World Reports affirm the stature of CUNY SPH as one of the nation’s best and most innovative schools of public health and a professional school whose equity-driven focus furthers the historical mission of this University,” says Chancellor Félix V. Matos Rodríguez. “In just a few years, it has become a leader in public health education, research and advocacy. Its students, faculty and graduates help make New York City and the world healthier, and advance CUNY’s mission of increasing educational and career opportunities for people of all backgrounds.”

Recent News

UT’s Excellence and Impact On Display in Latest Graduate School Rankings

AUSTIN, Texas — The University of Texas at Austin continues to be one of the premier schools for graduate studies, according to U.S. News & World Report’s partial release of its most recent “Best Graduate Schools.” UT made gains in several disciplines, including the College of Education’s jump into the top 10.

U.S. News has delayed release of its engineering, medicine and clinical psychology rankings, areas in which the University has historically achieved No. 1 and top 10 rankings.

Even with the partial release of the graduate rankings, UT maintained its top 10 spot for five colleges and schools: the College of Education (No. 8); the School of Information (No. 5); the Steve Hicks School of Social Work (No. 8); the College of Pharmacy (No. 6); and the Jackson School of Geosciences (No. 7), ranked under Earth Sciences. Three specialties ranked No. 1 in the country: Accounting, Latin American History and Sociology of Population. Overall, the University has 42 graduate schools and specialty programs ranked in the top 10 when combined with previous years.

“These rankings are striking and reflect our ability to continue to attract exceptional faculty and students. Our excellence is evident in our set of more than 40 schools, programs and specialties ranked in the top-10 in this partial release alone, including several that are the best in the country, if not the world,” said President Jay Hartzell. “Our talent is what puts UT at the leading edge of discovery in AI and robotics, life sciences, population research, and many other disciplines that are at the forefront of solving many of the world’s most pressing problems and bettering society.”

Among the highlights in this year’s rankings:

• The College of Education is now ranked in the top 10, moving up eight spots to No. 8.
• The McCombs School of Business moved up four ranks to No. 16 overall.
• The Information Systems MBA program in the McCombs School of Business is ranked No. 4 this year, marking 31 years that it has ranked in the top 5. Accounting has been ranked No. 1 for 18 years.
• The College of Pharmacy moved up one spot to No. 6. Computer Science moved up one rank to No. 7.
• The Nursing master’s program rose six spots to No. 14.

U.S. News & World Report’s graduate rankings, which are published separately from the yearly ranking of undergraduate programs, are considered the gold standard of graduate and professional rankings. They are based on surveys of academic leaders and, for select programs, additional quantitative measures including placement test scores, student/faculty ratios, research expenditures, salary by profession and job placement success.

The publication updates some of its specialty rankings each year and republishes the most recent rankings in other areas. The rankings for engineering, medicine and psychology will be released at a later date, according to U.S. News.

Graduate schools, programs and specialties that U.S. News ranked in the top 25 are listed below.

Business – 16

• Accounting – 1
• Business Analytics – 8
• Entrepreneurship – 10
• Finance – 13
• Information Systems – 4
• Management – 11
• Marketing – 11
• Production/Operations – 15
• Project Management – 4
• Real Estate – 8
• Supply Chain/Logistics – 16
• Executive MBA – 15
• Part-Time MBA – 7

Education – 8

• Counseling – 15
• Curriculum/Instruction – 12
• Education Policy – 9
• Educational Administration/Supervision – 5
• Educational Psychology – 6
• Elementary Teacher Education – 10
• Higher Education Administration – 14
• Secondary Teacher Education – 10
• Special Education – 7

Health Disciplines (other than Nursing)

• Audiology – 12
• Pharmacy (College of Pharmacy) – 6
• Social Work (Steve Hicks School of Social Work) – 8
• Speech-Language Pathology – 14
• Business/Corporate Law – 17
• Constitutional Law – 11
• Contracts/Commercial Law – 15
• Criminal Law – 20
• Intellectual Property Law – 15
• International Law – 25
• Tax Law – 13

Library and Information Studies Schools (School of Information) – 5*

• Archives and Preservation – 4*
• Digital Librarianship – 7*
• Information Systems – 8*
• Master’s – 14

Public Affairs – 13

• Public Policy Analysis – 15

The Sciences

Biological Sciences – 25*

• Ecology/Evolutionary Biology – 8*

Chemistry – 16*

• Analytical – 4*
• Inorganic – 14*
• Organic – 20*
• Physical – 14*

Computer Science – 7

• Artificial Intelligence – 9
• Programming Language – 7
• Systems – 10

Earth Sciences (Jackson School of Geosciences) – 7*

• Geochemistry – 13*
• Geology – 2*
• Geophysics and Seismology – 5*
• Paleontology – 3*

Mathematics – 13*

• Algebra – 19*
• Analysis – 8*
• Applied Math – 7*
• Topology – 8*

Physics – 13*

• Cosmology/Relativity/Gravity – 10*
• Condensed Matter – 22*

Statistics – 27* 

Social Sciences and Humanities

Economics – 22*

English – 17*

• American Literature After 1865 – 18*

History – 11*

• African American History – 10*
• Latin American History – 1*
• Modern U.S. History – 16*

Political Science – 19*

• American Politics – 20*
• Comparative Politics – 18*

Psychology – 23*

• Behavioral Neuroscience – 8*
• Social Psychology – 9*

Sociology – 11*

• Sociology of Population – 1*
• Sex and Gender – 6*
• Social Stratification – 13*

Fine Arts – 23*

• Sculpture – 6*

*Ranking not revised for 2024-25. Based on latest available ranking.

Explore Latest Articles

Apr 12, 2024

UT’s Newest Truman Scholar Bridges the Israeli-Palestinian Divide

Foundational Impact

Apr 11, 2024

From Average to Individual: Transforming Cancer Care With Single-Subject Clinical Trials

Title: Former Speaker Kevin McCarthy Talks Distrust in Democracy on the Hilltop with Mo Elleithee

On Tuesday, April 9, 2024 students gathered in Lohrfink Auditorium on Georgetown’s campus to hear from Former Speaker of the House, Kevin McCarthy in a conversation moderated by GU Politics Executive Director Mo Elleithee . 

The event was introduced by Cody Becker (MPP ‘25), a graduate student in the McCourt School of Public Policy and current leader on GU Politics Fellow Machalagh Carr ’s Student Strategy Team. 

Elleithee started off the conversation by citing recent polls, including GU Politics’ March 2024 Battleground Civility Poll , that reveal Americans’ declining trust in government and increasing belief that our democracy is under threat. 

“Democracy itself – it is still the greatest form of government because we the people get involved,” McCarthy said about democracy. “But it’s not fast, it’s not overly efficient.”

McCarthy adds that a fragmented news landscape, social media, the Covid-19 pandemic and a history of challenges to certify the election have compounded people’s distrust.

On polarization and partisanship as part of this distrust, McCarthy noted that, “America refers to states as red or blue– and they define you all that way. Even if you took people within your own party and asked them to find what your party stands for – they couldn’t agree.”

Elleithee next asked McCarthy about his perspective on trust in elections, and particularly about his vote on January 6th regarding the certification of the election. McCarthy cited changes in election policy due to the Covid-19 pandemic as a reason to challenge the election. 

“One of the cornerstones of a democracy is your ability to question something,” McCarthy said. 

He pointed to times throughout history that both parties challenged the election, particularly the controversial 2000 presidential election. McCarthy emphasizes that Joe Biden would have won the presidency regardless of the outcome of the election certification challenge. 

“Challenging something doesn’t mean you’re overturning something. A challenge is a challenge.”  “What happened on January 6th was wrong,” McCarthy added. “I don’t apologize for any of the people who did it. I don’t think it was right in any shape or form.”

Elleithee followed up by asking McCarthy about his experience in the U.S. House of Representatives and declining trust in Congress.

McCarthy reflected on his experiences as a U.S. Representative saying, “I served 17 years, I loved every single day. I served as Speaker, it was tough, I loved every moment — highest to the lowest.”

He also emphasized the strong work ethic that his parents instilled in him and reflected on applying for an internship to work in his district representative’s office. 

“He turned me down. But you know what I did? I got elected to the seat I couldn’t get an internship in and became 55th Speaker of the House. Only in America could that happen.”

He encouraged people not to feel down about democracy, recalling Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address and the ability of our democracy to sustain itself.

“Name one other nation in the world that is conceived in liberty,” McCarthy said. “We strive for a more perfect union — we’re not perfect.” 

When asked about his support for congressional action on Ukraine, McCarthy emphasized the need for compromise. 

“We should fund Ukraine but, for the same purpose, we should secure our own border,” he said.

Students then had the opportunity to ask McCarthy questions. 

One student asked if McCarthy was concerned about the future of bipartisanship, particularly with some swing senators not running for reelection this year. He said that they are not running because they think they cannot get reelected. 

“We’re not rewarding that type of work,” McCarthy said.

Kwan Hopkins (C’24) told McCarthy, “Under your leadership, the Republican Party blocked, in every turn, democratic attempts to standardize elections across the country.” He continued on to refer to McCarthy’s support of former president Donald Trump and asked, “Do you feel you have turned your back on democracy in any way?”

McCarthy defended his support of Trump, saying “I think he is much better than our current president… The great thing about our country is we can believe something different, but we build those beliefs based on our experiences,” McCarthy said. “And based on my experiences working with both men, it’s not a hard decision.” 

Jason Goodman (MPP’25) asked McCarthy how he could support Trump given the former president’s position on immigration. 

“Trump often uses rhetoric that immigrants ‘are poisoning the blood of our country.’ Can you explain why you believe that a leader that uses such inflammatory rhetoric about immigrants is the best person to lead our country?” Goodman asked.

McCarthy denied having heard Trump say that. “We are a country based upon immigrants. It’s a strength within our nation,” he said. “You want to weigh that against a president that doesn’t secure the border at all – that anyone can come through.”

Another student asked McCarthy about the House Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government formed under McCarthy’s leadership. McCarthy emphasized the importance of the committee’s work in combating threats to democracy. 

“Is it a threat to democracy if you keep someone off a ballot, just because you don’t like them? I think it’s a big threat to democracy.”

McCarthy adds that the Weaponization Committee was created to get to the heart of these issues about democracy. He said we have to do something, “if we have people on all sides believing we have a problem.”

Elleithee concluded the event by thanking McCarthy for speaking with Georgetown students candidly and taking student questions. McCarthy stayed briefly after the event to talk to students and take photos.

This article was written by Jane Wright (MPP’25), a first-year student in the McCourt School of Public Policy.

Watch full recording below.

• News & Events

UW School of Public Health ranks No. 7 in U.S. News & World Report Rankings

The University of Washington School of Public Health (UW SPH) continues to offer some of the best public health graduate education in the country, according to the 2024 rankings released by U.S. News & World Report . UW SPH ranked No. 7 among public health graduate schools and remains among the top 3 public schools in the annual rankings.  

UW SPH tied with Boston University for No. 7. The School’s programs also ranked highly, with five programs in the top 15: biostatistics (No. 7), environmental health sciences (No. 7), epidemiology (No. 9), health policy and management (No. 14), and social behavior (No. 14).  

The rankings of public health schools and programs are based on opinion surveys that are sent to deans, program directors, and other peers.  Learn more about U.S. News’ methodology here.  

The UW School of Law and the UW School of Medicine withdrew from the U.S. News rankings in 2022 and 2023, respectively, citing concerns that some of the methodology in the rankings for those specific disciplines incentivize actions and policies that run counter to the schools’ public service missions.  

UW leaders continue to work with U.S. News and other ranking organizations — to the extent they are open to it — to improve their methodologies. And schools, colleges and departments continually reevaluate the benefits and potential shortfalls of participating in specific rankings. 

This past year, UW SPH ranked No. 5 in the world on the Global Rankings of Academic Subjects lists for 2023, a widely used ranking conducted by researchers at the ShanghaiRanking Consultancy. 

2020 marked the 50th anniversary of the UW School of Public Health. The School opened in 1970, becoming the first school of public health in the Pacific Northwest, and grew rapidly in the 1970s and ‘80s to become a research powerhouse and sought-after training destination. 

The School houses five departments, four interdepartmental programs, and more than 30 centers and institutes. The School’s 11,000+ alumni work to improve the health and well-being of communities in Washington state and around the world.