PhD Political Science and Public Policy at University of Michigan-Ann Arbor

Programme overview

The joint PhD combines public policy studies at the Gerald R. Ford School with disciplinary doctoral training in a top-ranked social science department. Students become full members of their disciplinary department and take its theory and methods sequence, and they also take part in the Ford School policy community. All students receive five years of funding covering tuition, health insurance and a stipend, contingent on satisfactory performance.

Faculty: Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy | Department: Joint PhD in Public Policy and Political Science | Intake: Fall; applications open in September, due December 1 | Study mode: full-time | Location: Ann Arbor, MI, United States

What you will study

Students spend most of their first two years in the disciplinary department taking its theory and methods courses, attend a biweekly research seminar in years one and two, and complete an independent research paper in the third year. Training emphasises statistics, economic analysis, benefit-cost analysis, evaluation methods and qualitative and quantitative data collection.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Joint PhD with the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy. Ford School joint PhD (public policy with economics, political science or sociology): applications open in September and are due December 1 for fall admission. Required: Rackham online application, transcripts, English proficiency evidence if the native language is not English, three letters of recommendation, academic statement of purpose (typically 500-1,000 words), and a personal statement of up to 500 words. A writing sample of 20 pages or fewer is required for the joint PhD with political science or sociology.

Intake: Fall; applications open in September, due December 1

Apply through the official page: https://rackham.umich.edu/admissions/applying/

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