ALL PROGRAMS | Andrew Young School of Policy Studies Programs
Ranked No. 16 in Public Management & Leadership
U.S. News & World Report, 2022

What does it cost?

Check out our cost calculator or visit student financial services for information on estimated costs.

How long will it take?

Students complete 45 credit hours at the doctoral level in addition to 27 prerequisite master-level courses. The program is designed for completion in about 4-5 years.

Where can I take classes?
Atlanta Campus

Am I required to take classes at a specific location?
Atlanta Campus

Application Deadlines View Admissions Requirements

  • Fall: January 15
  • Spring: Does not admit
  • Summer: Does not admit

Public Policy, P.h.D.

Public Management and Policy

Email: pmap@gsu.edu
Phone: 404-413-0107

Societal needs—for economic growth, better health care, environmental protection, etc.—and resource limitations challenge policymakers to make difficult public policy choices. The doctoral program in public policy prepares its graduates to conduct original research to help scholars and policymakers understand the trade-offs involved in such choices across a broad range of critical issues. Students can focus on:

  • Policy analysis and program evaluation: How can we predict the consequences of our policy choices? What values should drive those choices? How can we determine which government and nonprofit programs work – producing benefits that exceed their costs?
  • Public budgeting and finance: How can governments raise the funds necessary to provide public services in as equitable a manner as possible without impeding economic growth? How should and do governments decide which services and programs to fund? How can taxes achieve socially desirable goals?
  • Public and nonprofit management: How should functions be divided among the governmental, nonprofit and for-profit sectors? How should managers allocate financial and human resources to meet public needs? How should managers balance equity and efficiency claims?
  • Urban and regional planning and development: How can we assess and evaluate the complex and dynamic context and forces that shape the growth of cities, communities and regions? What strategies can be employed to promote equitable and sustainable development? What roles do systems (for example, transportation, housing) play in creating the environments and communities we desire?
Program Details

A completed application includes:

  1. Submitted Online Application. Online applications must be submitted by the deadline. Paper applications are not available.
  2. Application fee: A nonrefundable fee of $50 is required for each application. This fee must be paid online by credit card.
  3. Goal statement: The goal statement is your means of presenting yourself to the Graduate Admissions Committee. You should submit a short typed statement of personal and professional goals as they relate to the certificate or degree program you are seeking. Most applicants write two typed pages, summarizing their work experience, the reasons they have chosen the program, why they want to attend Georgia State and how the degree fits in with their career goals.
  4. Official GRE (Graduate Record Examination) scores: Official scores must be reported to institution code 5251 and received by Georgia State by the application deadline. More information can be found at our Admissions FAQ page or, to schedule the test, at www.gre.org.
  5. TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or IELTS (International English Language Testing Systems) Academic scores (International applicants only): International applicants are required to submit official TOEFL or IELTS Academic scores.
  6. Three letters of recommendation: Letters should be submitted through the online application.
  7. Upload Transcripts from each post-secondary college/university attended:
    • Upload each transcript to the Academic History section of the online application before submitting your application or upload to your application status page under the Upload Materials section if your application has been submitted.
    • Review requirements for submitting transcripts here.
    • Failure to follow these requirements will delay your application processing.

To earn the Ph.D., a student must satisfactorily complete six general requirements:

  • Core master’s-level curriculum or its equivalent (27 hours)
  • The doctoral core curriculum (24 hours)
  • Seven 3-hour core courses in areas of specialization (21 hours)

View Curriculum Details

Students admitted to the program are typically offered a graduate assistantship with a minimum $18,000 yearly stipend and full tuition waiver.

The doctoral program prepares its graduates to take positions as college professors or as research-oriented policy analysts in research centers, nonprofit organizations and government agencies. The program assumes that new students have a master’s degree in public policy, public administration, health policy or a related field, but students may also fulfill master’s prerequisite courses after entering the program. The core courses in the doctoral program build on those master’s prerequisites, providing a strong foundation in policy analysis, program evaluation, microeconomics, quantitative methods, and research design and implementation. Students choose two fields of specialization in which to focus their coursework and research.

Description

Careers

The public policy doctoral program prepares its graduates to take positions as college professors or as research-oriented policy analysts in research centers, nonprofit organizations and government agencies. The program assumes that new students have a master’s degree in public policy, public administration, health policy or a related field, but students may also fulfill master’s prerequisite courses after entering the program. The core courses in the doctoral program build on those master’s prerequisites, providing a strong foundation in policy analysis, program evaluation, microeconomics, quantitative methods, and research design and implementation. Students choose two fields of specialization in which to focus their coursework and research.

Contacts

Public Management and Policy
Phone: 404-413-0107
Fax: 404-413-0104

Office Location:
14 Marietta Street, NW, 3rd Floor
Atlanta, GA 30303

Mailing address:
Department of Public Management and Policy
Andrew Young School of Policy Studies
Georgia State University
P.O. Box 3992
Atlanta, GA 30302-3992

Program Director
Christine Roch
Email: croch@gsu.edu

Academic Assistance
Email: AYSEnroll@gsu.edu
Phone: 404-413-0021

Office Location:
AYSPS Office of Academic Assistance
14 Marietta St. NW, Suite G-52
Atlanta, GA 30303

Andrew Young School of Policy Studies
14 Marietta St
Atlanta, GA 30303

The information shared provides an overview of Georgia State’s offerings. For details on admissions requirements, tuition, courses and more, refer to the university catalogs.