Virginia Commonwealth University

Program Information

Degree Offered

Ph.D. - Public Policy and Administration

Program Description:

The purpose of Virginia Commonwealth University’s Ph.D. in Public Policy and Administration is to prepare students for scholarly and leadership roles in government, universities, research organizations and other settings where knowledge and research skills in public administration and policy are needed.

The Ph.D. program is structured around a core curriculum and several areas of concentration. The curriculum is designed to provide a sound intellectual foundation for the pursuit of theoretical and applied research in administrative and policy studies. The program includes core courses in the following areas:

- Public policy and public administration
- Research methods
- Statistical data analysis
- Economic policy analysis
- Political institutions and processes
- Law and public policy

In addition to the core courses, students take courses in one of several concentration areas:

- Public management in state and local government
- Health policy
- Urban policy
- Criminal justice policy

Students can also develop an individualized concentration area in education policy, homeland security and environmental policy. These concentrations offer students the opportunity to build a tailored program of study within a broad area of scholarship. The range of core and affiliate faculty expertise from both campuses at VCU gives doctoral students considerable flexibility in designing their studies and research.

Accreditation:

Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools

Tuition & Financial Aid

Financial Aid Offered: Yes

Format: Campus

Classification: Doctoral/Research Universities - Extensive

Institution Sector: Public

Locale: Midsize City

Size & Settings: 20,000 and above