Ph.D. in Public Policy – General Dynamics of Public Decision-Making
60
Credit Hours
100% online, 8-week courses
Transfer in up to 50% of the degree total
Advance and Shape Ethical, Christ-Centered Policy with a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Public Policy
As a public policy expert, your community, organization, and government depend on you to make good policy decisions. With Liberty University’s Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Public Policy, you can be prepared to address the most important issues facing our nation today. Whether you are looking to enhance your credentials, teach public policy at the university level, or conduct research to add to the body of knowledge in the discipline of public policy, you will find this program suits your needs.
Our Ph.D. in Public Policy can prepare you for senior roles at all levels of government and in every sector of society. The courses you’ll take will provide the training you need to lead the charge on important policy issues. The biblical principles your coursework is centered on emphasize the importance of applying Christian ethical standards to management practices.
Why Choose Liberty’s Ph.D. Degree in Public Policy?
Because our Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Public Policy can be completed 100% online, you’ll be able to remain active with your family, career, and community. You can increase your knowledge and develop skills that will help you serve your community, district, state, and nation. Our Ph.D. in Public Policy will give you access to faculty who are statesmen, leaders, and policymakers, all of whom embody a Christ-centered philosophy that will guide you throughout your personal and educational journey.
Completing this terminal degree gives you the opportunity to develop expertise in and understanding of important political philosophies that affect and influence the way our society operates. You can learn how to effectively shape policy in governmental, legislative, political, communications, managerial, academic, and international relations areas. Additionally, by choosing Liberty’s doctoral degree in public policy, you’ll be choosing a degree that is taught from a conservative Christian worldview.
What Will You Study in Liberty’s Doctoral Degree in Public Policy?
Our public policy Ph.D. provides a balanced study of both policy and functions of government that will help equip you to be successful as a senior leader in public service and policymaking roles. Policies in the areas of healthcare, taxation, immigration, and international relations are all issues that affect our community in ways that most people do not realize. Our courses can prepare you to address some of the biggest policy issues and needs facing the nation today.
This program can also prepare you to motivate and instruct future public policy leaders, researchers, and scholars. Our courses in statesmanship, contemporary challenges to constitutional order, and the role of the state provide critical training that prepares you to make policy decisions with integrity. All of our courses are taught from a biblical worldview and speak specifically to the biblical perspective on public policy and leadership.
Potential Career Opportunities
- Professor (higher education)
- Public interest/advocacy group director
- Researcher
- Senior public policy analyst
Featured Courses
Degree Information
- This program falls under our Helms School of Government.
- View our Graduate Government Course Guides (login required).
- Within this Ph.D., you will complete a dissertation with the support of our experienced faculty.
Degree Completion Plan
Not sure what to choose?
Speak to one of our admissions specialists to help you choose the program that best fits your needs.
Tuition & Aid
Your success is our success, which is why we are committed to providing quality academics at an affordable tuition rate. While other colleges are increasing their tuition, we have frozen tuition rates for the majority of our undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs for the past 9 years – and counting.
Doctoral Full Time | $595/Credit |
---|---|
Doctoral Part Time | $650/Credit |
Eligible current and former military service members and their spouses may qualify for a special rate of $300/credit hour (learn more).
Tuition rates may change annually. For the most current information, please visit our LU Tuition Cost page.
All Tuition & Fees
Financial Aid & Scholarships
Admission Information for Our Ph.D. in Public Policy Degree
Admission Requirements
- Apply online or over the phone with an admissions counselor by calling (800) 424-9596.
- A non-refundable, non-transferable $50 application fee will be posted on the current application upon enrollment (waived for qualifying service members, veterans, and military spouses – documentation verifying military status is required).
- Send official college transcripts (mailed as sealed, unopened copies or sent via a direct electronic transcript system). A regionally or nationally accredited master’s degree with at least a 3.0 GPA is required for admission in good standing.
- Applicants whose native language is other than English must submit official scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or an approved alternative assessment. For information on alternative assessments or TOEFL waivers, please call Admissions or view the official International Admissions policy.
Please note: The Office of Graduate Admissions may request additional documentation when conducting admission reviews to evaluate a candidate’s record before a final admission decision can be made.
Preliminary Acceptance
If you are sending in a preliminary transcript for acceptance, you must:
- Be in your final term and planning to start your doctoral degree after the last day of class for your master’s degree.
- Complete a Master’s Self-Certification Form confirming your completion date. You may download the form from the Forms and Downloads page or contact an admissions counselor to submit the form on your behalf.
- Submit an official transcript to confirm that you are in your final term. The preliminary transcript must show that you are within 6 credit hours of completion for a 30-48 credit hour master’s degree or within 9 credit hours of completion for a 49+ credit hour master’s degree.
- Send in an additional, final official transcript with a conferral date on it by the end of your first semester of enrollment in the new doctoral degree.
Transcript Policies
Official College Transcript Policy
An acceptable official college transcript is one that has been issued directly from the institution and is in a sealed envelope. If you have one in your possession, it must meet the same requirements. If your previous institution offers electronic official transcript processing, they can send the document directly to luoverify@liberty.edu.
Admissions Office Contact Information
Liberty University Online Admissions Verification
1971 University Blvd.
Lynchburg, VA 24515
Ready to Apply?
Submit your application online or over the phone.
Military
Liberty University is dedicated to providing world-class educational experiences to military students across the globe.
Who May Qualify?
- Active Duty
- Reserve/National Guard
- Veterans/Retirees
- Spouses of Service Members and Veterans/Retirees
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 $300/credit hour. Find out how you can take advantage of this unique opportunity as you work toward your goal of reaching the pinnacle of your profession – for less.
Tuition rates may change annually. For the most current information, please visit our LU Tuition Cost page.
Inner Navigation
- Overview
- What Sets Us Apart?
- Why Choose Liberty?
- What Will You Study?
- Tuition & Aid
- Admission Information
- Military
Have questions?