Faculty
Professors:
Hines, Revathi I.
Ph.D., Political Science
Howard University
Lukongo , Onyumbe B.
Ph.D., Economics
Mississippi State University
Assistant
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
Hoy, Xavier, J.
Ph.D., Public Policy
Southern University and A & M College
Introduction
The Ph.D. in Public Policy Program at the Nelson Mandela College of Government and Social Sciences was established in 1996. The doctorate is research-oriented, emphasizing interdisciplinary research paradigms in analyzing public policies. This doctoral program is rigorously grounded in scientific theory and methodologies. Emphasizing service and employability, the program aims to produce graduates who can pursue productive careers in academe, government, or private and nonprofit sectors. The program seeks to enroll students of all races in connection with federal and state policies and agreements to desegregate public universities further.
Graduates will have developed an understanding of the context in which public policies are proposed, adopted, implemented, and evaluated. Basic and advanced analytical techniques are especially appropriate in this context and indispensable for systematic inquiry into the relevant disciplines.
GRADUATE DEGREE OFFERED
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Public Policy
Admissions Requirements
- An earned and relevant graduate or professional degree from an accredited university
- A graduate grade point average (GPA) of 3.4 on a 4.0 scale
- A Graduate Record Examination (GRE) Verbal Score of 152; Quantitative Score of 157; Writing 4.0.
- A 500-1000 word essay on research interests and professional career objectives.
- Evidence of experience, accomplishments, and potential to overcome any deficiencies.
- Recommendation by the program admission committee
The study of public policy can involve any number of academic disciplines, including many master’s degrees, especially in the natural sciences, which can provide ideal foundations. Applications to the Ph.D. Program in Public Policy will be accepted through April 15th for the fall semester and until November 15th for the spring semester.
GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
The degree requirement is 48 credit hours. It is comprised of 10 core courses, each three credit hours long, for a total of 30 credit hours. Students must also register for 6 credit hours of electives and at least 12 hours of dissertation research credits. Students have a wide array of elective courses to choose from.
To ensure successful matriculation in the program, students are strongly encouraged to seek the counsel of a faculty advisor. Each student must develop an approved study plan with a faculty advisor no later than the second semester in residence.
To remain in good standing, each student must earn a GPA of 3.0 or better in every course they attempt. After successfully completing nine of the ten core courses, including PPOL 700 Quantitative Methods and PPOL 704 Research Methods, PPOL 706 Program Evaluation, PPOL 708 Program Implementation, PPOL 710 Microeconomics, PPOL 711 Public Finance, PPOL 714 Foundations of Public Policy, PPOL 716 Political Philosophy and Social Policy, and PPOL 720 Public Policy Analysis students may register to sit for the comprehensive examination. Each student must pass the comprehensive examination to advance to the dissertation proposal phase. The exam is comprised of theory and research components. Students are only admitted to candidacy if they have earned at least a 3.0 in every course and pass the comprehensive exam. The Ph.D. comprehensive exam is given only twice a year in the Fall and Spring Semesters. Exam dates are posted each Fall and Spring term to alert prospective candidates. Students who fail ALL or ANY portion of the exam will be granted an oral retake within the semester of the exam. If the student fails the oral exam, the student will be granted a final retake the following semester. A student who fails the final retake will be expelled from the program. After successfully passing the comprehensive exam, students should prepare a one-page research prospectus and meet with the department chair to discuss their intended research. After the meeting, the chair will assign their research advisor/chair to guide them through the dissertation process from proposal to final dissertation. Candidates must complete and successfully defend a doctoral dissertation. Graduate School rules and guidelines apply in all instances.
A full-time student should expect to complete coursework within two academic years (four semesters). The program’s faculty will devise, evaluate, and score each student’s comprehensive exam questions and answers. The candidate’s dissertation committee will guide the preparation of a prospectus and the dissertation. The dissertation will likely take one to two years for full-time students and a longer period for part-time students. Full-time and part-time students must maintain continuous registration throughout the program. More detailed rules and policies for all requirements are available in the Nelson Mandela College of Government and Social Sciences.
ASSISTANTSHIPS, FELLOWSHIPS, SCHOLARSHIPS
A limited number of assistantships are available for full-time students who must take at least three courses per semester and provide ten hours of research assistance each week to designated faculty members. Academic scholarships are available for some students. Financial aid will not last longer than three academic years
POLICY AND GUIDELINES FOR ASSISTANTSHIP/ SCHOLARSHIP
Criteria and Guidelines for awarding assistantship/scholarship, tuition waivers in the Ph.D. Public Policy program
Assistantships
For students to be considered eligible for an assistantship, the following conditions shall be met:
- Must be admitted in the Ph.D. Program under Regular Status.(Only)
- Computer and research skills count for extra points (no more than 10 points)
- Must be enrolled full-time i.e. nine or more credit hours a semester except during the summer
- Must maintain a minimum of 3.0 GPA
- Based on cumulative scores, awards shall be determined by a committee beginning with the highest score until the money allocated is depleted
- An assistantship shall be revoked if a student’s enrollment drops to less 9.0 credit hours during any semester
- Students with less than a 3.0 GPA shall not be eligible for further assistantship until the GPA requirement is met
- Students are encouraged to substitute or add when a course is dropped within the add and drop period
- Students shall be eligible for reconsideration one academic year from the date of suspension
- To qualify for a summer assistantship whenever the budget permits, a student must register for six credit hours
General Tuition-Waiver/Scholarship
Students who enroll full-time but have no assistantship shall be considered for tuition scholarship subject to the following conditions, including budget limitations:
- Must enroll full-time and carry a full-time load (nine or more credit hours) to the end of the semester/term
- Students with full employment and reasonable incomes are ineligible for consideration, whether enrolled full-time or part-time. (Reasonable income determined by the committee) It is considered a violation to drop to less than nine credit hours during the semester while holding a tuition scholarship/waiver.
- The penalty for dropping to less than nine credits is the revocation of the award, with eligibility for reconsideration two academic years from the revocation date.
- Part-time scholarships will be revoked if the beginning credits are not carried to the end of the semester/term.
Plan of Study
Core Courses
Electives