JOINT PHD PROGRAM
The Joint PhD Program in Public Policy is a collaborative effort between the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy and the departments of Economics, Political Science, and Sociology.
DEMOGRAPHICS
The Joint PhD Program follows a “discipline plus” structure. The “discipline” means that all
Total number of students: 38
students complete a PhD in a basic social science, and the “plus” means that they apply social
Number of applicants in 2013: 172
science theory and knowledge to public policy problems. Joint PhD students will be awarded
Average age: 24.73
doctoral degrees in Economics and Public Policy, Political Science and Public Policy, or
Female: 63.16%
Sociology and Public Policy. These titles reflect a fundamental characteristic of the program:
Male: 36.84%
students are simultaneously full members of their disciplinary departments and participants
Underrepresented (U.S. only): 40%
in an interdisciplinary public policy community. The program is designed to appeal to students who want to pursue research careers in a traditional social science discipline but who also see themselves as committed to the study of public policy. Our goal is for joint PhD students to bring the most rigorous tools of social science to bear on fundamental public policy questions. Recent recipients of the Joint PhD degree have taken academic positions at Brown University, Cornell University, Duke University, Harvard University, Penn State University, Princeton University, University of Maryland, University of North Carolina, University of
PHD JOBS BY SECTOR Other 6.89% Postdoc Fellowship 17.2%
Virginia, WestPoint, Williams College, and Yale University. Other recent graduates have accepted research positions with the
Government/ National Lab Research 20.68% Research: Other 10.34%
Faculty 44.82%
World Bank, the U.S. Treasury, the Federal Reserve Board, the U.S. State Department, Rand, Mathematica, the International Food Policy Research Institute, the Gates Foundation, and McKinsey.
MEET ALUM ANGEL HARRIS
Dissertation: “Do African
Current job: Associate
Americans Really Resist
professor of sociology and
PHD IN PUBLIC POLICY AND SOCIOLOGY (2005)
School: An In-Depth
African American studies at
Examination of the
Princeton University
Oppositional Culture Theory”
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A MASTER’S AND PHD PROGRAM? Master’s program:
PhD program:
Designed to give students a tool box of research,
Designed to give students extensive expertise in a specialized field that will
analytical, and management skills that qualify students
qualify them for jobs in academia, research institutions and government.
for a wide range of government, non-profit, and private
Most candidates spend five to six years earning their doctoral degree. Doctoral
sector careers.
study offers a unique opportunity for an individual to conduct intensive and prolonged research on a specific topic.
FINANCIAL AID New PhD students will receive five years of funding which covers tuition, health insurance, and a stipend contingent upon satisfactory performance. Support may be in the form of fellowships, research assistantships, and/or teaching assistantships. Students are strongly encouraged to seek both teaching and research experience.
APPLICATION AND ADMISSION Students must apply directly to the Ford School of Public Policy to be considered for the joint degree PhD program. The application files of those recommended for admission by the Ford School are simultaneously reviewed by the appropriate social science department for consideration. Students must designate one of the three social sciences, Economics, Political Science, or Sociology, for the joint PhD at the time of application. In addition, applicants for the joint PhD in Sociology and Public Policy must also designate a primary topic of research in Sociology. Please submit the following with your online application: 1. Three letters of recommendation 2. Official transcripts 3. Official test score report(s) (GRE and TOEFL) 4. Academic statement of purpose 5. Personal statement
ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTIONS Applicants will begin the application process by following the instructions found on the following link: www.rackham.umich.edu/admissions. Applications close December 15.
CONTACT US FOR MORE INFORMATION Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy Student and Academic Services Joan and Sanford Weill Hall, Suite 2245 Ann Arbor, MI 48109-3091 734 764 7508 fspp-admissions@umich.edu fordschool.umich.edu