The Ph.D. in Public and Social Policy at Saint Louis University offers a rigorous, interdisciplinary approach to understanding and addressing complex societal challenges. If you are passionate about tackling issues such as persistent poverty, urban renewal, racial inequality, or health disparities, this program is designed for you. You will gain advanced methodological skills in areas like policy process, public finance theory, qualitative research methodology, and geospatial analysis, preparing you for impactful careers. This doctoral program equips you to conduct original research that can inform both academic discourse and practical policy solutions.
This full-time, on-campus Ph.D. program is structured over two years of coursework, followed by dissertation research, totaling 45 credits. You will engage with core courses and choose a concentration, such as Public Administration, Urban and Community Development, or Health Policy, deepening your expertise. Through required courses like Regression Analysis and Policy Evaluation, you will develop sophisticated analytical capabilities. You will graduate prepared for scholarly and leadership roles in government, academia, research institutions, and public service organizations, equipped to share your knowledge effectively.