Program Requirements
Complete 67 credits from 20 courses including nine core interdisciplinary courses, four core research and quantitative methods courses, six electives, and one dissertation course. Plus 7 dissertation credits.
Up to twelve credits of coursework may be waived for students holding a master’s degree by petitioning the department’s Academic Affairs Committee.
Candidacy: Passage of two competency exams given at the end of the first and second years.
Dissertation: Compose and defend a dissertation based on original empirical research.
En Route MPP: Students may, with the approval of the program director, apply to receive a Master’s in Public Policy (MPP) en route to the PhD. To qualify, students must complete 39 credits of core coursework in the first two years, as well passing the PhD comprehensive exam during the summer after the second year and completing the one-credit Pro-Seminar course during the fall of the third year. complete all core courses and electives and pass both competency exams.
Terminal MPP: Students may, with Academic Affairs committee’s approval, apply to receive a Master’s in Public Policy (MPP) after completing 39 credits of core coursework in the first two years, and completing the one-credit Pro-Seminar course during the fall of the third year, but not passing the PhD comprehensive exam after two tries, starting the summer after the second year. Students who wish to pursue a terminal MPP will be required to complete a master’s thesis within one year.
Statute of limitations: Eight years.
