Ph.D. Curriculum and Program Requirements
Overview
The Ph.D. core curriculum consists of 6 courses (18 credits):
- PUBL 600 Research Methodology
- PUBL 603 Theory and Practice of Policy Analysis
- PUBL 604 Statistical Analysis
Two additional research method/quantitative analysis courses appropriate to the student’s track such as: PUBL 605, 607, or 614; ECON 605 or 611; SOCY 619; or another methodological/ analytical course approved by the concentration.
- PUBL 700 Doctoral Research Seminar
Additionally, 12 credits of PUBL 899 (Doctoral Dissertation Research) are required of all Ph.D. students.
Disciplinary Foundations
All Ph.D. students must also take the following 3 disciplinary foundation courses (9 credits):
- ECON 600 Policy Consequences of Economic Analysis
- PUBL 601 Political and Social Context of the Policy Process
- SOCY 606 Social Inequality and Social Policy
Study Concentrations
Ph.D. students may choose either a policy concentration or a disciplinary concentration. Concentrations require a total of 5 courses (15 credits). Ph.D. students in all tracks, except the disciplinary tracks and the legal policy track, are required to take a relevant economics course as part of their 5 track courses or 2 electives. ECON 605 (Benefit Cost Evaluation) can count either as an economics course or as one of the 2 required advanced statistics/ methodology courses in the Ph.D. program, but not both.
More about study concentrations
Electives
Ph.D. students must take two additional elective courses that are related to their track or policy interests. These courses should be selected with the advice and approval of the student’s advisor. In addition, students should check with the relevant departments to see if specific skills, the consent of the instructor, or other prerequisites are necessary prior to taking elective courses.
Ph.D. Examinations
In addition to examinations in particular courses, a Ph.D. comprehensive exam and Ph.D. field examination are also required. Students should consult with their advisor before signing up to take a comprehensive or field examination.
Doctoral Dissertation
All Ph.D. candidates must register for a minimum of 12 semester hours of doctoral dissertation research, POSI 899. Guidelines for writing and defending dissertations are available on the Public Policy Graduate Students Blackboard site. Copies of proposals and dissertations are available for inspection in the Graduate Student Reading Room.
Each candidate will have a dissertation committee composed of a chairperson and 4 readers. All dissertation committees in Public Policy must have representatives from more than 1 discipline and at least 1 member from outside of UMBC.
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