You will join a community of scholars producing research that shapes public policy conversations now and for the future.
At the Schar School of Policy, the Public Policy PhD is designed for students who want to produce rigorous research with real-world relevance. Our doctoral candidates work alongside leading faculty, engage with the Washington, D.C. policy ecosystem, and contribute to scholarship that shapes how governments and institutions work.
You’ll graduate prepared for careers in academia, government, and research organizations — with a portfolio that reflects the seriousness and influence of your work.
Quick strengths
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Strong methods training in quantitative and qualitative research
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Faculty mentorship and research opportunities across policy areas
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Located in the Washington, D.C. region, with access to agencies, think tanks, and policy networks
Economic Policy
Study how economic theory and econometrics shape real policy choices.
Topics: Inequality; tax policy; health; poverty; entrepreneurship; trade
Affiliated faculty: John Earle, Maurice Kugler, Catherine Maclean, Anh Pham, Kenneth Reinert, J.P. Singh, Sita Slavov
Energy and Environmental Policy
Study how governance drives natural resource decisions and environmental outcomes.
Topics: Climate and sustainability; energy systems; conservation; resource governance; corruption and illicit trade; and global environmental policy
Affiliated faculty: James Conant, Guadalupe Correa-Cabrera, David Hart, Todd LaPorte, Andrew Light, and Jessica Terman
Foreign and National Security Policy
Analyze global security challenges and the policymaking systems behind them.
Topics: Strategic competition; conflict and cooperation; policy institutions; emerging threats; defense and deterrence; international security
Affiliated faculty: Colin Dueck, Michael Hunzeker, and Jerry Mayer
Population, Migration, and Public Policy
Examine how population and migration trends reshape policy and governance.
Topics: Immigration and asylum; labor markets; aging and pensions; social cohesion and identity; demographic change; international migration governance
Affiliated faculty: Guadalupe Correa-Cabrera, John Earle, Justin Gest, Jack Goldstone, Eric Max McGlinchey, Sita Slavov
“Given the varied audience in the policy world, it's vital to adapt our message. Through courses and workshops, I've been introduced to diverse writing styles, from policy drafts to ethnographic narratives and academic writing. I learned the nuances of research planning, time management, and articulating my decisions, all while keeping an open mind to continuous learning and improvement.”
Angelo Gabrielle Santos
PhD in Public Policy
