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22 Best Public Policy PhD Degree Programs for 2024

Discover the leading Public Policy PhD Degree programs for 2024. Our list of 22 courses is tailored to help you excel in your chosen field with WeUni.

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Field of study

Course type

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Where to study

PHD in Public Administration

Lanzhou University School of Management

logo Lanzhou University School of Management

China

Political Science, Social Policy, Public Policy, Public Administration, Organizational Leadership

PhDs (Doctor of Philosophy)

Relying on various international cooperation and communication, the doctoral programs of LUSM pay close attention to administration system reform in China, public administration of Western China, and other important public policies. Several specializations have been formed, including government performance evaluation and management, ethnic administration development of Western China, sustainable development policy and government administration of Western China, the relationship between governments and enterprises, etc. Two university-level research institutes are formed on the platform of these programs, including the China Center for Government Performance and Evaluation, and the Center for Public Administration of Western China. Programs - Public Administration

PhD in Development Studies (by Research)

Institute of Development Studies

logo Institute of Development Studies

United Kingdom

Social Sciences, Public Policy

PhDs (Doctor of Philosophy)

The PhD in Development Studies by Research is IDS’s advanced research degree. It is awarded to candidates after a minimum of three years study, based on completion of original and significant research in the field of Development Studies – which is assessed through a written thesis.

English

3 Years

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Ph.D. in Political Science

Boston College

logo Boston College

United States of America (USA)

Social Sciences, Political Science, International Relations, Public Policy

PhDs (Doctor of Philosophy)

The department's course offerings are organized in four fields: Political Theory, American Politics, International Politics, and Comparative Politics.

English

5 Years

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PhD of Public Administration

University of Illinois at Chicago College of Urban Planning and Public Affairs

logo University of Illinois at Chicago College of Urban Planning and Public Affairs

United States of America (USA)

Public Policy, Public Administration, Organizational Leadership

PhDs (Doctor of Philosophy)

The doctoral program in the Department of Public Administration provides students with a rich and diverse education through a combination of hands-on research training and a foundation of coursework targeted at your specific areas of interest.

English

4 Years

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Ph.D. Social Sciences and Education Policy

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

logo University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

United States of America (USA)

Social Sciences, Public Policy, Education

PhDs (Doctor of Philosophy)

Explore research and the literature of sociology, political science, anthropology, and cultural studies. Students can expect a multidisciplinary focus on the social context of educational policy and practice, particularly in terms of social justice in formal and informal contexts of teaching and learning.

Ph.D. in Political Science

University at Albany SUNY Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy

logo University at Albany SUNY Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy

United States of America (USA)

Political Science, International Relations, Public Policy

PhDs (Doctor of Philosophy)

The Ph.D. in Political Science program at UAlbany provides a broad foundation in classic and contemporary theoretical, empirical, and methodological debates in political science while allowing you to gain expertise in your area of interest. Choose from specialized majors in American politics, comparative politics, international relations, political theory, public law, and public policy.

Ph.D. in Marine Affairs

University of Rhode Island College of the Environment and Life Sciences

logo University of Rhode Island College of the Environment and Life Sciences

United States of America (USA)

Environmental Science, Sustainability, Public Policy

PhDs (Doctor of Philosophy)

The world’s coastal regions have become trendy places to live and visit. Our coasts and oceans are also immensely important ecologically and economically. Our coasts and oceans, however, are particularly vulnerable to overuse and climate changes.

Doctorate in Urban Studies

INRS University

logo INRS University

Canada

Social Sciences, Sociology, Public Policy, Architecture, Urban Planning

PhDs (Doctor of Philosophy)

In urban studies, you will take a look at the social issues of the day, study the city in all its dimensions. Whether it is to better understand the territory as a place of habitat, work, and mobility, as a management body or space for individual, collective, and community activities, you will produce knowledge that will guide action on the territory.

PhD in Maritime Affairs

World Maritime University

logo World Maritime University

Sweden

Environmental Science, Sustainability, Engineering, International Relations, Public Policy

PhDs (Doctor of Philosophy)

The World Maritime University (WMU) was established by the UN’s International Maritime Organisation in 1983 and is IMO’s apex institution for postgraduate education and research in the maritime field.

English

3 Years

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Doctoral Program in Global Environmental Studies

Kyoto University - Graduate School Of Global Environmental Studies

logo Kyoto University - Graduate School Of Global Environmental Studies

Japan

Environmental Science, Sustainability, International Relations, Public Policy

PhDs (Doctor of Philosophy)

This program accepts students who have obtained a master’s degree or the equivalent in various fields. The program encompasses the Department of Global Ecology, the Department of Technology and Ecology, and the Department of Natural Resources of the Hall of Global Environmental Research, as well as the Grove of Universal Learning. Students’ specialized study themes are selected from the vast range of themes related to global environmental studies, based on prior study and approaches in the humanities and social sciences as well as natural science, agriculture and engineering. After receiving a doctoral degree, students may work at universities or environment-related government/private-sector research organizations.

PhD Programme on Innovation, Economics and Governance for Development (IEGD)

United Nations University

logo United Nations University

Japan

Economics, Public Policy, Business Administration

PhDs (Doctor of Philosophy)

The Ph.D. Programme on Innovation, Economics, and Governance for Development (IEGD) is a multidisciplinary course offered by UNU-MERIT and its School of Governance. The programme focuses on research skills and methods, training fellows to become both scholars and practitioners in the fields of governance and the economics of technology. The programme provides advanced training in the knowledge and skills most relevant to the economics of technology and innovation, and to governance, social protection, and migration. Built around a core of courses on innovation and development, the programme also features modules on the economics of technological change, complex social systems, governance and policy evaluation, social protection, and migration. During their first year, fellows complete an intensive programme of required and elective courses, taught by leading scholars of UNU-MERIT and our partner universities. These courses are taught in English, in Maastricht, and spread across two semesters, starting in September each year. The course work is followed by three years of dissertation research and writing, ending with a completed Ph.D. thesis. At the end of the programme, the doctoral degree is awarded by Maastricht University upon successful defense of the thesis. Our students pursue a wide variety of dissertation topics, fitting into any of the institute’s eight research themes: 1. Economics of Knowledge and Innovation 2. Structural Change and Economic Development 3. Economic Complexity and Innovation 4. Governance and institutions 5. Innovation and Entrepreneurship for Sustainability Transitions 6. Migration and Development 7. Social Protection 8. Population, Development and Labour Economics

Centre of Resilience for Social Justice

University of Brighton- Doctoral College

logo University of Brighton- Doctoral College

United Kingdom

Social Sciences, Psychology, Sociology, Social Policy, Social Work, Counseling Psychology, Public Policy

PhDs (Doctor of Philosophy)

Working directly through our social enterprise and network, which is known as 'Boingboing', the Centre of Resilience for Social Justice tackles disadvantage and brings genuine change to people's lives around the world.

Doctor of Strategic Security

Henley-Putnam National American University

logo Henley-Putnam National American University

Online

United States of America (USA)

Emergency & Disaster Management, Public Policy, Criminal Justice

PhDs (Doctor of Philosophy)

Today, security environments evolve quickly and demand strategic thinkers equipped with the confidence and problem-solving skills to lead their organizations safely and securely into the future.

PhD in Law & Policy Program

Cambridge Graduate University

logo Cambridge Graduate University

United States of America (USA)

Law, Public Policy

PhDs (Doctor of Philosophy)

Cambridge Graduate University’s College of Law, Policy & Global Studies has an unmatched academic program, offering law and policy Masters and Doctoral degrees – the LL.M., Masters in

PhD at the Institute of Commonwealth Studies

University of London, School of Advanced Study

logo University of London, School of Advanced Study

Online

United Kingdom

Social Sciences, International Relations, Public Policy, Legal Studies, History

PhDs (Doctor of Philosophy)

Undertaking doctoral research allows you to develop in-depth knowledge while making a meaningful contribution to your chosen field. With guidance from our expert supervisors, you'll carry out extensive independent research culminating in a thesis of up to 100,000 words. Broadly speaking the focus of research degrees has increasingly been on the humanities and cognate social sciences, particularly on the subjects of human rights, globalization and development, politics, and Commonwealth history.

English

3 Years

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PhD in Global Studies

United School for Liberal Studies

logo United School for Liberal Studies

Spain, Belgium, Switzerland, Japan, Netherlands, Italy

International Relations, Public Policy

PhDs (Doctor of Philosophy)

Upon successful completion of the study program students receive an international private Doctor of Philosophy in Management (Ph.D.) in Global Studies degree awarded by the school's headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland, based on the recommendation of the faculty of the local campuses where credits were earned.

English

2 Years

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Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) Educational Leadership, Policy & Law

Alabama State University The Harold Lloyd Murphy Graduate School

logo Alabama State University The Harold Lloyd Murphy Graduate School

United States of America (USA)

Law, Public Policy, Education

PhDs (Doctor of Philosophy)

The Doctoral Program in Educational Leadership, Policy, and Law will prepare professional educators to be part of a vanguard through the twenty-first century. These educators will be provided with: the necessary knowledge of their subject; an understanding of our diverse culture; technological skills; critical thinking skills required to make informed decisions and implement change; and the ability to provide a just and ethical, accurate, and meaningful education for their students.

English

3 Years

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Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) in International Affairs

Selinus University of Sciences and Literature

logo Selinus University of Sciences and Literature

Online

United Kingdom, Italy

Political Science, International Relations, Public Policy

PhDs (Doctor of Philosophy)

This programme provides a theoretical basis and practical analysis of international business. A research thesis should address the global environment in which the business operates, as well as the process of business preparation and market entry, strategy and operations.

Italian, English

2 Years

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Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Human Rights

Selinus University of Sciences and Literature

logo Selinus University of Sciences and Literature

Online

United Kingdom, Italy

Social Sciences, Law, International Relations, Public Policy

PhDs (Doctor of Philosophy)

This programme examines several national and international legal, political and moral issues. A research thesis should aim at identifying the ideological and political motivations behind global and regional regimes and human rights organizations.

English

2 Years

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Comparative Politics, Policy and Governance (Research)

Cardiff University

logo Cardiff University

United Kingdom

Political Science, Public Policy

PhDs (Doctor of Philosophy)


PhDs (Doctor of Philosophy), Public Policy

A PhD, or Doctor of Philosophy, is the highest academic degree awarded by universities. It involves conducting original research in a specific field and making a significant contribution to knowledge. PhDs are typically pursued by individuals seeking careers in academia, research, or specialized industries requiring advanced expertise.

Public Policy is a field of study that focuses on analyzing and addressing societal issues through the development and implementation of policies. Students in this field learn how to evaluate policy effectiveness, conduct research, and make informed decisions to create positive social change and improve governance.