Purpose

The purpose of the Doctor of Philosophy in Public Policy (Ph.D.) is to prepare public-policy professionals for senior leadership roles at all levels of government and in every sector of society, and to equip graduate students seeking careers in public policy research or education in order to instruct, inspire and motivate the public policy leaders, researchers and scholars of the future.

Program Specific Admission Requirements

In addition to the general admission requirements, specific requirements for admission to the Doctor of Philosophy in Public Policy (Ph.D.) are as follows:

1. Earned master’s degree or its equivalent from an institution accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (e.g., SACSCOC, TRACS, ABHE, etc.).
2. A cumulative GPA of 3.00 or above (on a 4.00 scale).
3. TOEFL Scores for students who speak English as a second language (score of 600 paper-based test; 250 computer-based test, 80 internet-based test)

Transfer Credit

Students may transfer up to 30 hours of graduate-level credit from an accredited institution. In order to transfer credit, students must have earned the minimum grade of B-, and courses must have been completed within 7 years of the start date of the student’s program at Liberty University. Credits from a prior degree on the same academic level earned through Liberty University are considered transfer credits.

Program Learning Outcomes

The student will be able to:

• Evaluate the theories within the fields of politics and public policy.
• Construct innovative change proposals to policies that address public needs and problems.
• Synthesize a Christian model of statesmanship that incorporates a Biblical worldview in the analysis and execution of public policy.
• Design and conduct independent research that makes an original contribution to the public policy field.

Delivery Format: Online Only

 

• Academic Specialist
• Counterterrorism Analyst
• Director of Education Policy
• Director of Research, Public Policy Evaluation
• Economic Policy Researcher
• Education Policy Researcher
• Federal Agent
• Government Employee
• Government Leadership
• Intelligence Analyst
• International Policy Researcher
• National Security Policy Researcher
• Professor (Higher Education)
• Professor of Political Science
• Public Interest/Advocacy Group Leader
• Researcher
• Senior Public Policy Analyst
• Social Research Scientist
• Social Scientist