Overview

The Public Policy PhD program at the University of Massachusetts Boston starts with a commitment to social equity. Our students conduct interdisciplinary research and examine policy issues related to economic development, education, immigration, health care, housing and urban affairs, nonprofit organizations, and racial justice.

Sample Alumni Positions

Energy Policy Research Analyst
Executive Director of a community organization offering services for Latino immigrants in metro-Boston
Executive Director of a large, nonprofit child welfare and re-unification agency in Michigan
Health Planner
Policy Advisor to a regional office of a federal health agency
Post-doc Fellow and Environmental Consultant at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
Regional Capacity Building Director for a national nonprofit, health promotion agency
Researcher/Community Liaison at a university policy institute
Senior Project Manager at Jobs for the Future
Superintendent of Schools, Knoxville County, Tennessee
Tenure-track, visiting, and adjunct university faculty

Programme Structure

Courses include:

Political Economy of Class, Race and Gender
Qualitative Methods and Field Research
Public Policy Processes: Environments, Power and Outcomes
Approaches to Policy Analysis: Epistemology, Theory and Institutions
Microeconomics for Policy Analysis
Public Finance and Budgeting
Multi-Disciplinary Topics in Public Policy
Public Policy Proseminar
Sociological Perspectives on Public Policy and Social Justice

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 96 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2027-09-08 00:00:00
- Apply before 2027-04-01 00:00:00

Language

English

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Credits

67 SCH

Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

Boston, United States

Disciplines

Public Policy View 92 other PhDs in Public Policy in United States

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Academic requirements

GPA

2.7

GRE^®

Required

English requirements

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Other requirements

General requirements

Submit a personal statement (1,500 words) highlighting your research and career interests and goals, and your motivation for pursuing a PhD in Public Policy.
Include official transcripts of all prior academic work, including evidence of a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution.
Solicit three letters of recommendation, at least two of which should come from individuals who can assess academic preparation for advanced graduate work.
Include a short (3-5 page) academic writing sample or professional policy brief.
(Optional). Submit official GRE scores. Previous scores less than five years old will be accepted.
Attach a current résumé or CV listing your educational background on the top of page one with degree(s) earned, name(s) of school(s), major(s) and overall GPA(s)
Application fee of $75.

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are shown in and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.

International Applies to you

Applies to you

Non-residents

29932 USD / year

≈ 29932 USD / year
Out-of-State

29932 USD / year

≈ 29932 USD / year
Domestic

Applies to you

In-State

15408 USD / year

≈ 15408 USD / year

Living costs

Boston

United States

1560 - 3239 USD / month

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Funding

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Scholarships Information

Below you will find PhD's scholarship opportunities for Public Policy.

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

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