Doctor of Philosophy in Public Policy and Political Economy
(PhD in PPPE)
The Program in Public Policy and Political Economy offers you an interdisciplinary education and policy research through activities in undergraduate and graduate education, scholarly and applied inquiry, and professional service.
You will be prepared for careers in research, teaching, and practice in a variety of both academic and non-academic public policy and political economy settings.
Open up the future and all its possibilities with a PhD in PPPE!
PhD in PPPE Quick Facts (printable brochure)
Program Description
The PhD in Public Policy and Political Economy requires a minimum of 90 post-baccalaureate graduate credit hours. Full-time students can complete the degree in an average of 5 years. Students must maintain a grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 and complete:
- 33 hours of core courses
- 12 hours of field courses (six hours in two fields of the student's choice)
- Criminology
- Development
- International Political Economy
- Social Policy
- 6 hours area of specialization (in one of the fields of the student's choice)
- A qualifying examination in Quantitative Empirical Methods and Research Design
- Portfolio submitted and approved by Portfolio Committee
- Matriculation to the dissertation phase
- Participation in Dissertation Seminar
- Successful completion of a dissertation
For more general information about graduate education at UT Dallas, click here.
PhD in PPPE Admission
Application Process:
- For application deadlines, click here.
- To apply online, click here.
- Documents required as part of the application:
- GRE score
- Official university transcripts from all previous institutions
- Official university transcript showing degree conferral
- A brief narrative (essay) outlining your academic interest
- Three letters of recommendations
- Form for letter of recommendation
- Letters of recommendation should be mailed directly to the PPPE office.
- To check your application status, click here.
Admission Criteria:
Although applications will be reviewed holistically, below are general admission criteria:
- A baccalaureate degree from an accredited university or college.
- An undergraduate grade point average of at least 3.2.
- A combined verbal and quantitative GRE score of 1200, or equivalent score on the GMAT, are desirable for direct admission.
- An analytical writing score of at least 4.5 in the GRE is considered desirable. Students may also wish to consider submitting their score from the writing component of the GRE test as additional evidence of their writing skills.
Admission Committee Process:
- Standardized test scores are only one of the factors taken into account in determining admission.
- Decisions are made by committee and are based on all information provided by the applicant.
- Decisions are made on rolling basis.
- Students who have missed the stated university deadlines should contact the program head about the possibility of applying late.
Questions about the application process? Contact Judy Robertson or Sheila Amin Gutíerrez de Piñeres.
PhD in PPPE Degree & Curriculum Information
Sample Graduation Plan
Below is a sample schedule for full-time students. It is meant to be purely advisory. Students should consult the program head prior to registering for courses. Part-time students' schedules should follow the ordering of this schedule as closely as possible to avoid delaying graduation. Part-time students, in particular, should consult with the program head prior to registering for coursework.
Fall Year One
POEC 5303 Public Policymaking and Institutions
POEC 5310 Research Design I
POEC 5313 Descriptive and Inferential Statistics
Spring Year One
POEC 5316 Advanced Regression
POEC 6342 Research Design II
POEC 5307 Economics of Public Policy
Methods Qualifying Examination
Summer Year One (not required/optional)
Field Courses and/or Methodology Electives
Fall Year Two
Submit Portfolio [or submit in Spring]
POEC 5308 Ethics, Culture and Public Responsibility
POEC xxxx POEC 6312 Social Economic Theories
POEC xxxx Field course or Methodology Electives
Spring Year Two
POEC xxxx Field course or Specialization elective
POEC xxxx Field course or Specialization elective
POEC xxxx Methodology Elective
Summer Year Two (not required/optional)
Field Courses and/or Specialization/Methodology Electives
Year Three and Four
Field Courses and/or Specialization/Methodology Electives
Electives
Dissertation Seminar
Dual Degrees
It is possible for students to complete a masters' degree in addition to their PhD by taking the appropriate course work. Students interested in dual degrees should visit with the program head and design a degree plan that guarantees all degree requirements are met.