Public Policy PhD Program
Learning to Build an Equitable Society
We offer student financial aid to ALL full-time PhD students!
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The UMass Boston PhD in Public Policy Program emphasizes:
- Solid grounding in political economy
- Appropriate attention to theory, applied principles, and technical skills
- Interdisciplinary study
- Multi-cultural approaches to public policy
- Personal and intellectual growth of our students
Full-time or Part-time Study Available
Our doctoral program in Public Policy is a full-time day program for the first two years of study. Students can typically complete their PhD coursework and dissertation research in five to eight years.
The Public Policy PhD program has traditionally allowed employees of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to apply for admission to the PhD program on a part-time basis. For the next two years, we will broaden the part-time program on a trial basis to all applicants who are able to attend day-time classes and who wish to enroll as a part-time student.
Committed to Social Change and Equitable Policy
Our commitment to social change is anchored in our applied policy curriculum which addresses inequities for underserved groups and vulnerable populations. This commitment stands out in the two-semester, practicum class in which doctoral students gain experience in professional-quality, applied research for a real-world client, leading to actionable policy recommendations and journal-quality publications.
This commitment is clearly evident in our Public Policy department's faculty and student research interests. Among others, these policy fields include children, youth and family; immigration policies; education reform; labor policy; environmental policy; homelessness and housing; health policy; human rights; minority issues; poverty reduction; welfare policies; and women's issues.
With the exception of a part-time program for state employees, our doctoral program is a full-time day program for the first two years of study. Students typically complete their coursework and dissertation research in five to eight years.
What Makes Boston a Special Place for PhD Study?
The journal Inside Higher Ed calls Boston “the quintessential college town”. Opportunities for public policy related internships, collaborative projects with policy leaders from other area schools and organizations, and the wide range of academic conferences and lectures throughout the city extend learning beyond our campus borders. UMass Boston alumni often stay in the area and contribute to the creativity, innovation and academic reputation that make Boston so appealing. Also, as a large metropolitan city, Boston boasts a broad range of cultural amenities from museums and theatre to several championship sports teams.
More Information on our Public Policy PhD Program
Come join the excitement that UMass Boston and its PhD Program in Public Policy have to offer – schedule a campus visit today!
For more information on the PhD Program in Public Policy at UMass Boston, contact us by e-mail at public.policy@umb.edu or see our PhD Program contact page for additional information on contacting us.
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Our latest FYI newsletter
published May 5, 2009.
Read about our seven new PhDs and two faculty hires.