Ph.D. in Public Policy

This course serves as a foundation and overview of major issues and theories in contemporary public policy-making, incorporating perspectives and analytical frameworks from a variety of disciplines. Its aims are to provide exposure to, and an appreciation for, the classic and contemporary texts that have informed and shaped public affairs-related scholarship, and to identify questions and debates in the foundational literature that shape the way we think about and refine theory to address public policy questions and problems. In other words, this is a course on how to think about public policy.

This is a weekly, zero-credit, one-hour lunchtime course that introduces first-year students to what it means to complete a PhD in public policy. It focuses on professional development, socialization, and training, with the goal of preparing students for success in the public policy doctoral program, and later, successful navigation of academic and policy fields in public affairs. It includes topics such as creating a strategic plan for your time in graduate school; finding an advisor and mentors; funding your research; how to prepare for conferences and presentations; publication strategies and navigating peer review; learning to teach; and academic and policy job market preparation.

The admissions committee looks at a combination of factors, including demonstrated intellectual curiosity; solid preparation for graduate-level work in research methods and quantitative analysis; proficiency in oral and written English; and a clear focus on learning to conduct social science research with relevance for public policy. Additionally, because the LBJ School’s program is an interdisciplinary one, a strong background in the social sciences and interest in interdisciplinary approaches to intellectual inquiry are helpful. Applicants should also present a coherent vision for their research: a compelling set of questions that they seek to answer, and a clear vision for how the resources and faculty at the University of Texas and the LBJ School are particularly suited to conducting that research. Finally, the LBJ School has stronger ability to advise some areas of research interest than others; because of this, it is helpful when applicants identify a clear set of faculty whose research interests match their own and with whom they would be interested in conducting their doctoral research.

The GRE is currently optional, but strongly encouraged. If GRE scores are not provided, candidates must provide alternative information that allows the admissions committee to assess the applicant’s preparation for and ability to engage in quantitative coursework and research. The TOEFL is required for international applicants, with specific exceptions for candidates from UT’s list of “Qualifying Countries.” Please see here: https://gradschool.utexas.edu/admissions/how-to-apply/international-stud... There are no other formal pre-requisites for entry. Many successful applicants have robust professional experience and/or solid quantitative training, depending on their intended area of future research. If an applicant without prior background in statistics is admitted, he/she may be advised or required to take a preparatory boot camp course in the summer before admission to ensure successful completion of the first year required coursework.

Yes. One of the advantages of the LBJ PhD program is the ability that it offers to draw on the broader resources distributed across UT’s campus and research community. This page describes the core curriculum offered within the LBJ School itself, which students take during their first two years in the degree program: https://lbj.utexas.edu/phd-public-policy In addition to completing the core coursework during the first two years, students also pursue deeper theoretical, substantive, and methodological study in their chosen area of research (energy policy and environmental economics, national security, social policy, etc). Here, each student will work with faculty mentors and advisors to develop a tailored curriculum that includes the substantive coursework and methods training necessary to succeed in their chosen field of research. In developing this tailored plan of study, students draw not only on the substantive and methodological expertise at the LBJ School, but all of UT’s world-class disciplinary departments and research centers.

Your doctoral program is designed to be completed within five years of full-time study. We also admit several doctoral students each year who are on active duty with the United States military (such as through the Army’s ASP3 program); in those cases, the LBJ School works with candidates to craft an individualized track of instruction that enables them to complete their degree in three years. The University of Texas Ctalog notes the following with respect to time: All completed work that is included in a doctoral student’s degree program at the time of admission to candidacy must have been taken within the previous six years (exclusive of a maximum of three years of United States military service). Work over six years old may be reinstated upon recommendation of the Graduate Studies Committee. The Graduate Studies Committee will review the program of every student yearly; the results of this review will be provided to the student in writing. At those times, the committee may recommend additional coursework, further examinations, or termination of candidacy. In addition, the program is subject to review by the graduate dean.

We are proud of offering individualized, focused doctoral training to our graduate students. Graduate students engage in cutting-edge research with faculty across a range of disciplines, and participate actively in the life of the school and related Centers. Depending on their interests, past cohorts of graduate students have organized small public policy workshops or conferences in their fields of interest.