Ph.D. in Public Policy and Administration

Training for a Research Career

• Variety of substantive policy and administration areas (i.e. education or social policy, public budgeting, nonprofit management, etc.)
• Prepared for jobs in range of industries (i.e. academia, government, nonprofit, think tank/research organizations, service providers, etc.)
• Provide social science research design and methods training alongside core substantive curriculum in public policy and administration.

Opportunities for Applied and Engaged Research

• Lots of opportunity for doing applied and engaged research with policymakers, practitioner, and community stakeholders.
• Research centers: IPA, CCRS, CADSR
• UD initiatives: CEI, Sustainability Council, Partnership for Healthy Communities
• Hub and spoke model with Biden School as “hub”
• Opportunities to work with faculty and centers across campus with intersections in substantive areas of interest and policy overlap​
  

Producing Rigorous and Interdisciplinary Research

Provide scientifically and theoretically rigorous research training in policy and administration to prepare students for successful research careers.

This guiding principle reflects our desire to provide both interdisciplinary training in public policy and public administration, and rigorous methodological research training to prepare our graduates to conduct original research in the fields of public policy and public administration.

Committed to Public Service

Prepare students to produce research knowledge that can address today’s most critical and relevant public policy and administration challenges facing our local, national, and global communities.

Equip students with the necessary translational skills and understanding to engage with communities and public policy and administration stakeholders in providing research knowledge and expertise to help answer significant policy and administration questions that have broad social impacts.

Achieving Excellence through Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Promoting diversity in the composition of the faculty and students, the curriculum of the program, the co-curricular experiences provided, and the research and professional opportunities of faculty and students.

Ensuring equity in program resources, practices, policies, and outcomes for students and faculty.

Creating an inclusive, welcoming environment where all students and faculty can develop, learn, and thrive academically, socially, and professionally.​

​Vie​w the doctoral program plan of st​udy. ​