Doctor of Philosophy Public Policy
Prepare to Pursue Senior Roles in Government with a Ph.D. in Public Policy
With Liberty University’s 100% online Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Public Policy, you can prepare to address some of the most important policy issues facing your community and our nation. The purpose of our Ph.D. in Public Policy is to help equip you for senior roles at all levels of government and in every sector of society where expertise in crafting effective legislation and regulations is needed in order to create more opportunities and protect biblical values of life and liberty.
The courses you study through Liberty University’s Ph.D. in Public Policy can help enable you to lead the charge in carrying out critical decision-making for more efficient, responsible, and ethical governance. The biblical principles forming the core of your coursework will emphasize the importance of applying Christian ethical standards to policy practices for a better, brighter future for our country.
What Will You Study in the Ph.D. in Public Policy?
- Economics and public policy
- Foreign policy and globalization
- Foundations of public policy
- Policy analysis and statesmanship
Healthcare, taxation, immigration, and international relations are just some of the issues public policy addresses. Through this program, you can gain the historical and philosophical background to help shape public policy from a Christian worldview. Our program is unique in that it offers you points of biblical integration and application and speaks specifically to the biblical perspective on public policy and statesmanship.
Potential Careers for Ph.D. in Public Policy Graduates
- Academic specialist
- Counterterrorism analyst
- Director of education policy
- Federal agent
- Government leader
- Intelligence analyst
- Policy researcher
- Professor (higher education)
- Public interest/advocacy group leader
- Senior public policy analyst
- Social scientist
Benefits of Pursuing Our Ph.D. in Public Policy Program
As a leader in distance education since 1985, we understand what it takes to create a flexible and affordable education for busy people. Since we have been investing in distance and online learning for decades, our experience has taught us how to streamline our degree options so you can focus on what really matters to you. While many schools offer online degrees, we believe Liberty stands out.
Here’s what sets us apart:
- Our online programs are backed by our brick-and-mortar campus – ranked as Niche.com’s #2 Best College Campus in America for 2026 – and that commitment to excellence extends to our online students as well. Earning your online Ph.D. from a nonprofit university with this kind of recognition can help set you apart from others in your field.
- Most of our online tuition rates rank in the top 35% for affordability for 2025 when compared to our leading online competitors. As a nonprofit university, Liberty continues to strive to keep costs low for our students!
Military Tuition Discount
We want to help you find the doctoral degree you want – at a price you’ve earned. As a thank-you for your military service, Liberty University offers eligible current and former service members like you or your spouse multiple pathways to earn a doctoral degree for only $375/credit hour. Here’s how:
- If you’re earning or have earned a master’s degree through Liberty, you automatically qualify for the low price (when you begin within 2 years of your master’s completion).
- If you haven’t earned a graduate degree through Liberty, our Executive Certificate program allows you to pay only $375/credit hour for a postgraduate certificate that can stand alone or potentially count as the first 21 hours of a related doctoral degree. Then pay just $375/credit hour for your doctorate. Learn more!
Cited tuition rates are reflective of academic year 2025-2026. Tuition rates may change annually. For the most current information, please visit our LU Tuition Cost page.
Credit Hours
Available Online
Class Type
100% online, 8-week courses
Transfer Credits
Transfer in up to 50% of the degree total
May 18, 2026 | June 29, 2026