Online PhD in Public Policy | Social Policy

Credit Hours

100% online, 8-week courses

Transfer in up to 50% of the degree total

Next Start Dates: January 19, 2026 | February 16, 2026 | March 23, 2026

Help Create Positive Cultural Change with Liberty University’s PhD in Public Policy – Social Policy

Are you a public policy professional seeking career advancement? Do you have a passion for helping your community work through complex cultural issues to create positive social change? By conferring Liberty University’s 100% online Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Public Policy – Social Policy, you can prepare to shape social policy at the local, state, and national levels.

Help communities break out of cycles of hardship by learning to develop smart, practical policies that promote the welfare of citizens. Whether you want to conduct social policy research or help train up the next generation of social policy professionals, Liberty’s online PhD in Public Policy can help you develop the skills you need to make a positive impact through your career.

We’re committed to helping you become a leader of integrity — someone who models a biblical understanding of statesmanship while using effective strategies to analyze, develop, and promote social policy. Throughout this program, you’ll explore essential research methods and practical applications that can help equip you to make a real, lasting difference in our nation.

Upon graduation from our social policy PhD program, you could pursue top roles in academia, advocacy, or research. Partner with us and see how far your doctorate in social policy can take you.

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Transfer in up to 75% of an Undergrad Degree
Transfer in up to 50% of a Grad/Doctoral Degree

Top 10 Reasons to Choose Liberty

Why Choose Liberty’s Online PhD in Social Policy Degree?

Liberty has been a pioneer in distance education since 1985. A lot has changed since then, but our commitment to Training Champions for Christ has not. We seek to develop Christ-centered leaders who can advocate for better, healthier communities and effectively engage with the most challenging cultural issues of our time.

At Liberty, you won’t just earn a degree — you can develop the knowledge, values, and skills essential for impacting the world. Our PhD in social policy is designed to help you make a greater impact on the legislative side of policymaking. And, because we are accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), you can pursue your degree with confidence.

Each course within our public policy doctoral program is taught from a biblical worldview, so you can explore ethics and moral decision-making as they relate to public policy development. Additionally, our online doctorate in social policy is offered 100% online, giving you the flexibility to complete your courses from the comfort of your home. You can earn your degree without putting your life on hold and stay invested in your family, job, and community while furthering your education.

Liberty’s PhD in Public Policy courses are taught by professors who have years of experience working in policy, government, and legislation. With their guidance, you can hone your expertise and explore both the theoretical and practical side of policymaking. Our faculty are firmly rooted in the Christian faith and committed to teaching you best practices for developing effective social policies.

What Will You Study in Our Online Social Policy PhD Program?

The core courses in this degree cover a wide range of topics, including the foundations of statesmanship, natural law, the Constitution, federalism, and policy analysis. You’ll receive advanced training that can help you succeed as a senior leader in public service.

Healthcare, taxation, immigration, and international relations are all issues that affect communities across the country — and they can also be the underlying causes of many social concerns. Our social policy area of study is designed to help you understand the nuances of current trends in social policy and apply ethical solutions to critical policy challenges. You can also gain the skills needed to help educate future public policy leaders, researchers, and scholars.

Additionally, you can learn about conducting research within the context of public policy decision-making. Our program seeks to blend theory, biblical principles, and practical application so you can form a well-rounded approach to social policy. By completing a dissertation, you can conduct valuable research and contribute to the base of knowledge in your field.

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Tuition & Aid

At Liberty University, a private Christian education is less expensive than you think. Over the last 10 years, Liberty University’s Online Program has only raised its standard tuition costs by less than 5% – and most of our online tuition rates rank in the top 35% for affordability for 2025 when compared to our leading online competitors.

Doctoral Full Time	$610/Credit
Doctoral Part Time	$675/Credit

Eligible current and former military service members and their spouses may qualify for a special rate of $375/credit hour (learn more).

These 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.

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Admission Information for Liberty’s Online PhD in Social Policy

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.

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

Submit your application online or over the phone.

Start Online Application

Apply by phone: (800) 424-9595

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 $375/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.

These 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.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What can you do with a social policy degree?

Liberty University’s public policy PhD is designed to help you reach the pinnacle of your career through advanced training in research, theory, and social policy issues. You can become equipped to make a bigger impact on your community and better the lives of those around you. For instance, you could help develop policies that are designed to promote the welfare of a particular population. You could also pursue roles as an advocate, manager, analyst, researcher, or professor in the areas of public service and social policy.

Social policy vs. public policy — what’s the difference?

Social policy is a specialized area that falls within the larger field of public policy. While public policy can refer to any policy or directive from the government, social policy is mainly concerned with policy that affects people’s welfare. Social policy can affect areas like education, housing, healthcare, social security, family policy, criminal justice, and child protection.

Are there any specializations within this degree?

What are the scheduling options like?

Will I have the opportunity to network with other students and professionals while pursuing this degree?

What resources will be available to me in this program?

Are you ready to change your future?

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*Some restrictions may occur for this promotion to apply. This promotion also excludes active faculty and staff, military, non-degree-seeking, DGIA, Continuing Education, WSB, and certificate students.

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Public Policy PhD in Social Policy Online Policy Pioneers: Innovate Social Solutions

Help Create Positive Cultural Change with Liberty University’s PhD in Public Policy – Social Policy

What Sets Us Apart?

Why Choose Liberty’s Online PhD in Social Policy Degree?

What Will You Study in Our Online Social Policy PhD Program?

Potential Career Opportunities

Featured Courses

Degree Information

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Tuition & Aid

Financial Aid & Scholarships

Admission Information for Liberty’s Online PhD in Social Policy

Admission Requirements

Preliminary Acceptance

Transcript Policies

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Frequently Asked Questions

What can you do with a social policy degree?

Social policy vs. public policy — what’s the difference?

Are there any specializations within this degree?

What are the scheduling options like?

Will I have the opportunity to network with other students and professionals while pursuing this degree?

What resources will be available to me in this program?

Are you ready to change your future?

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