Faculty
Freeman-Bonvillian, Jocelyn
Ph.D., Developmental and Child Psychology
University of Kansas
Frimpong, Augustine
Ph.D., Public Policy
Southern University and A & M College
Greenslade, Vanessa L.
Ph.D., Public Policy
Southern University and A & M College
Hines, Revathi I.
Ph.D., Political Science
Howard University
Igiede, Anthony
Ph.D., Public Policy
Southern University and A&M College
Johnson, Melanie
Ph.D. Educational Leadership
Louisiana State University
Lukongo, Onyumbe B.
Ph.D., Economics
Mississippi State University
Merrick, Robyn
Ph.D., Public Policy
Southern University and A&M College
Segura, Donovan L.
Ph.D., Public Policy
Southern University and A&M College
Williams, Katara A.
Ph.D., Public Policy
Southern University and A&M College
Introduction
The Executive Ph.D. in Public Policy is a program designed to cater to a diverse clientele. It is structured on the same framework as the traditional program, ensuring the same high-quality education. However, it offers a more efficient, less time-consuming format. This allows the consummate professional to pursue their academic goals without compromising their career, instilling confidence in their ability to succeed.
The Executive Ph.D. in Public Policy offers seasoned practitioners the unique opportunity to earn their doctorate while maintaining their professional roles. The program's weekend classes, spread over a manageable twenty-four-month period, ensure a flexible learning experience. This, coupled with the affordable cost, makes the dream of a doctorate a tangible reality, requiring only time, commitment, scholarly research, and project management.
The program fees, a comprehensive package, cover course instruction, learning space, lodging, and meals during in-person weekends. These all-inclusive fees, set to ensure fairness and transparency, are non-negotiable and non-adjustable. Regardless of your location, lodging, and meals are provided for the weekends when classes are scheduled. Please note that the fees do not cover transportation, individual computers, laptops, tablets, software, parking fees, travel costs, graduation fees, and textbooks.
MISSION
The mission of the Executive Ph.D. program is to produce a cadre of well-trained professionals whose dedication to the pursuit of equality for all genders, judicial fairness, and a clean environment for the masses is adamantine and unequivocally resolute. This era is unlike any other before us in which events have brought to the fore and to the consciousness of the nation and the world the dire consequences and costs of prejudice, inequality, and environmental decay. It is, therefore, imperative that good policies be designed to address these ills. Effective policies born out of these many societal ills, if properly implemented, could have the power to redirect the course of a nation’s history and destiny.
GRADUATE DEGREE OFFERED
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Public Policy
Admissions Requirements
The Doctor of Philosophy is the highest degree offered by Southern University. Award of the degree testifies to independent mastery of an established subject area, successful acquisition of acceptable research skills, and a concentration of knowledge in a specific field. Consequently, doctoral programs are more flexible and varied than those leading to master’s degrees. The Graduate School does not specify the courses required for the Ph.D. degree. The general requirement is that the program should be unified in relation to a clear objective, have the considered approval of the student’s entire supervisory committee, and include an appropriate number of credit hours of doctoral research. The Executive Ph.D. program requires applicants to satisfy the following:
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Have earned a relevant graduate or professional degree from an accredited university
- A graduate grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
- Apply and be admitted to Southern University and A&M College Graduate School.
- Complete the Executive Ph.D. Program application.
- Evidence of experience, accomplishments, and potential to overcome any deficiencies.
- Successfully completed at least seven years as an executive-level supervisor or manager.
The program admission committee recommends that, as the study of public policy can involve any number of academic disciplines, many master’s degrees, especially in the natural sciences, can provide ideal foundations, as can a law degree—applications to the Executive Ph.D. Programs in Public Policy are accepted annually from March 15th through May 15th for the impending fall term.
PROGRAM MATRICULATION
Program matriculation is key to academic success. This program is accelerated pace and requires a significant amount of independent study apart from the cohort learning sessions on weekends. The amount of investment is key to the dividends the investment will yield. The policies listed below are specifically related to program matriculation.
- If a student earns two grades of “D” or less in any term, they will be dismissed from the program.
- Each student’s academic journey is unique. This is an accelerated pace program. Students who cannot handle the program's academic pace may be recommended to transition to the traditional program.
- Graduation in two years depends on student commitment and academic success in the program. Lack in either area may delay timely program completion.
- Because the program has a prescriptive curriculum, failure to remain on track with your cohort may significantly delay your program advancement. In these cases, the program reserves the right to dismiss a student who does not remain on track.
GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
The minimum coursework requirement is 48 credit hours, including 12 hours of dissertation research. Ten of the courses are designated as “core,” including quantitative techniques, research methods, economics, program evaluation, program implementation, and policy studies. In addition, each student must complete two courses or six hours of designated electives.
To remain in good standing, each student’s cumulative GPA must be a minimum of 3.0 or better. The dissertation process begins after the first 18 hours of coursework is completed and continues throughout the duration of the program. After successfully completing the final semester of coursework, candidates must complete and successfully defend a doctoral dissertation. Graduate School rules and guidelines apply in all instances.
A full-time student may complete coursework within two academic years (four semesters and two summers). The candidate’s dissertation committee will guide the preparation of a prospectus and the dissertation. More details and policies are available in the Nelson Mandela College of Government and Social Sciences.
- The Executive Ph.D. program, like other graduate programs at Southern University, is guided by the rules and regulations governing graduate programs.
- The Executive Ph.D. program is a rigorous 48-credit-hour program that must be satisfactorily completed, including dissertation hours, before a degree may be awarded.
- If, for any reason, a student is unable to complete the 48 credit hours and the dissertation within two years, any additional semesters needed may be requested and paid for by the student if approved to complete all requirements.
- A student may not graduate with more than two “C’s” or an “F” grade.
Programmatic Dissertation Proposal Policies
Students must successfully defend their dissertation proposals by the end of their first summer of dissertation research. Failure to do so may result in program dismissal.
If your project is NOT APPROVED during the proposal defense at the end of the first summer of dissertation research, you will have one additional opportunity to present your proposal prior to the start of the fall term. If you are unsuccessful, you will not advance to year two of the program.
Any additional semesters needed to continue/complete your research will be at your expense. Because this is a cohort model, additional research hours or courses must be requested. Those hours or courses will be offered in the traditional program.
If your project is NOT APPROVED for defense by the end of the second Spring term, the summer session will be used to continue your research and writing with your committee. Any additional semesters needed to continue/complete your research will be at your expense. Because this is a cohort model, additional research hours or courses must be requested. Those hours or courses will be offered in the traditional program.
Persons approved by their committees to proceed with defense must present their research orally utilizing visual aids (e.g., PowerPoint) to the faculty after the written document has been shared and approved.
After a successful defense, the student is required to have their project edited by a university—and program-approved editor.
The student must print and provide one hardcover bound copy of their final approved and edited project on 100% cotton bond paper to the Executive Ph.D. Program.
Plan of Study
Core Courses
Electives