The Top 3 Accredited Online PhD Public Policy Programs Today

Congratulations on taking your first steps toward pursuing your online PhD Public Policy program! We’re super excited for you and can sense your drive to make the world a better place. You’ve worked hard to come this far in your career, and we know there’s a lot to consider when researching a PhD.

Allow us to take some of the prep work off your shoulders. Instead of scouring site after site, we’ll give you the full overview of everything you need to know about earning a doctorate in Public Policy online. Plus, we’ll also share a detailed overview of the top Public Policy PhD programs that might be right for you.

Let’s get started!

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PhD in Public Policy Salary

Graduating with an online Public Policy PhD gives you many options for a potential career path. Because of that, your earning potential can vary quite widely based on which of these paths you choose. For example, you could pursue a career as a Nonprofit Executive Director and expect an average salary of about $84,023. A career as a Public Policy Analyst will provide a salary of around $122,510, and a college professor can expect anywhere from $80,000-$250,000.

Though not a hard and fast rule, careers at a nonprofit will generally provide the lowest salaries. Careers in the private business sector will probably provide the highest salaries. Finally, public sector/government careers will likely be somewhere in the middle.

Is a PhD in Public Policy worth it?

Maybe! If you’re reading this article, there’s a good chance it would be worth it for you. But before you can definitively answer whether it’s worth it, it’s helpful to clarify your career goals.

If you want to teach public policy at a university, then an online doctorate in Public Policy is definitely worth it. Actually, it’s likely the only way you will reach that goal. It would also be helpful if you want to advance your career at a large non-profit or government organization or if you want to become an elite consultant or analyst.

Like all degrees, if a PhD in Public Policy is the bridge you need to reach your goals, then we say it’s absolutely worth it—you and your goals are worth the investment!

Online PhD Public Policy Programs: Time and Cost

How long does it take to get a PhD in Public Policy?

If you are able to transfer previously earned credits and/or get on an expedited path, you could earn your degree in as little as 2.5-3 years. Most schools will require that you complete your degree within 7-8 years. Generally speaking, students’ completion times will fall somewhere in between, and they will spend 4-5 years earning their PhD in Public Policy online.

How much does it cost to get a PhD in Public Policy?

This varies a bit according to degree type. There are many types of Public Policy PhD programs that we’ll discuss in just a moment.  But to give you a baseline idea of costs, let’s look at two kinds of programs: Public Administration and Political Science.

If you’re interested in more of a hands-on practical degree that prepares you to create and implement actionable policies, then you’re probably looking at a Public Administration & Public Policy doctorate. These programs start at $19,062, go up to $57,589, and average around $41,279.

But if you’re more interested in theoretical public policy, then you might be looking for an online degree with more of an emphasis on Political Science. These programs tend to be more expensive. Programs start at $37,790, go up to $114,410, and average around $76,385.

Choosing the Best Online PhD Public Policy Programs

There is no shortage of options when it comes to PhD Public Policy programs. Depending on which school you choose, the Public Policy program could be housed within a business school, a liberal art/ political science school, a criminal justice/law school, or even a healthcare school.

While many of the core classes will be similar, students will experience different “flavors” and specializations within Public Policy. It generally depends upon the umbrella school that houses the program. Our Top 3 list will highlight online doctorate in Public Policy degrees housed in political science, law, and public administration programs.

We recommend choosing a program that is housed within an umbrella school that you are passionate about. For example, if you want to pursue a career at the intersection of law and policy, you’ll probably want to earn your public policy PhD online from a program housed within a school of Criminal Justice.

Research vs. Practice Focus

Another thing to keep in mind when choosing a school is that some programs are almost exclusively research focused, while others have a greater emphasis on practice. Because these are PhD programs, all programs will have a heavy dose of research courses. However, some programs are almost entirely theoretical and research-based, while others also have a heavy practical element and even require residency experiences.

One of the main draws of an online program is, of course, flexibility. Our list of the Top 3 best Public Policy PhD programs provides a good example of the range of flexibility and expectations. Some programs try to mimic a traditional, in-person program and require set log-in times, live class participation with your cohort, and active Q&A sessions. Other programs are completely independent and allow students to progress through the program at their own speed. Some programs have a mix and allow some independence while also requiring some live log-in times.

You will be hard-pressed to find a program that does not require a dissertation to graduate. This is the hallmark achievement of a PhD degree. Your dissertation will serve not only as an outstanding academic achievement, but can also be a huge springboard to landing your dream job. A dissertation is a massive undertaking, so make sure to pay special attention to the requirements and support you will receive as you’re selecting the best PhD in Public Policy program for you!

Top 3 PhD in Public Policy Online Schools

We know you want the best value for your dollar, so we rounded up the top three online PhD Public Policy programs based on cost and availability. These three also offer a ton of variety in specialization options. Let’s take a deeper look and find the right match for you:

1. Old Dominion University

   Degree: PhD in Public Administration & Policy
   Tuition (In-State): $28,535
   Tuition (Out-of-State): $30,691

   ODU’s online PhD in Public Administration & Policy degree is a 49-credit program that is available both in-person and online. Their program emphasizes multi-sector administration. This means that instead of focusing on just the private or public sector, they focus on the intersection of government, businesses, communities, non-profits, and individual people.

   Students can choose to pursue either the general Public Administration & Policy program or can choose a focus in Multi-Sector Public Service or Nonprofit Management and Governance.

   While the entire program is available online, students should note that some classes are to be taken synchronously and have specific log-on times when they are expected to watch live courses and participate in Q&A sessions. Time to completion varies by student, but the entire program must be completed within eight years.

   Curriculum, Internship, and Dissertation:

   The first 37 credits of this program traditional coursework. The final 12 credits are earned through a dissertation process. Students who do not have significant practical field experience may also be required to participate in an internship.

   Students will take eight core courses and five elective courses. Core curriculum courses include classes like:

   – “Administrative Theory”
   – “Public Policy and Evaluation”
   – “Ethics in Public Administration”
   – “Research Methods in Public Administration”

   Students who have decided to specialize in Multi-Sector Public Service or Nonprofit Management will take specific elective courses to fulfill those requirements. Students who don’t have a specific focus can choose electives from a list of over 30 courses. Options are varied and include classes like: “Leadership,” “Transportation Policy,” and “Cultural Competency.”

   Before beginning the dissertation process, students must pass comprehensive candidacy exams. Once they have successfully passed, they must complete original dissertation research in their specific area of interest. After completion of the dissertation, they must complete a successful defense in front of an academic panel.

   Admission Requirements:

   ODU has an online admissions portal that will guide prospective students through the application process. Students are required to submit all college transcripts, a resume, a statement of purpose about their public administration goals, and three letters of recommendation.

   While the GRE is required, prospectives with a GPA of 3.5 or above in their master’s program can get this requirement waived. Students who are not native English speakers are required to score at least 550 on the paper TOEFL or 6.5 on the IELTS.

   Find Out More:
   PhD in Public Administration & Policy

    

2. Liberty University

   Degree: PhD in Public Policy
   Tuition (In-State & Out-of-State): $37,790

   Liberty University’s program is 100% online and is composed of 60 credit hours. While time to completion may vary, students can finish in as little as three years. The entire program must be completed within seven years. LU does not have any live courses, which allows students maximum flexibility.

   This University has a couple of different online Public Policy PhD tracks. Their general track focuses on the public sector and helping students prepare for high-level governmental jobs. Students can also choose a more specific track:

   – Chinese Affairs
   – Economic Policy
   – Education Policy
   – Foreign Policy
   – National Security Policy
   – Social Policy

   Liberty is a Christian university and is dedicated to teaching according to Biblical principles and helping students integrate Christian standards and ethics into their careers in the public sector.

   Curriculum, Internship, and Dissertation:

   The general Public Policy track is comprised of 18 hours of core curriculum, 15 hours of research methods courses, 9 hours of elective courses, and 18 hours of dissertation credits. There are no required internship hours.

   Core curriculum courses include classes like:

   – “Foundations of Public Policy”
   – “Competing Visions of Statesmanship”
   – “Natural Law, The State, & The Gospel”

   Research courses focus on quantitative methods for policy research and design and will prepare students to take on the dissertation.

   Students who have selected a specific track will fill their nine elective hours with courses specific to that track. Those who are on a general track are free to pick any three courses to fill those hours.

   To finish their degree, students must complete original research throughout a five-course dissertation sequence. Students devise a research topic and then spend three semesters collecting and analyzing original data. Their final step before graduation is an oral defense of their dissertation manuscript and getting it finalized for publication.

   Admission Requirements:

   Liberty offers a very straightforward application process. Students must mail their official transcripts and have an earned master’s degree with a GPA of at least 3.0. Non-native English speakers must also submit their TOEFL scores.

   Find Out More:
   PhD in Public Policy

    

3. Walden University

   Degree: PhD in Criminal Justice/Law & Public Policy; PhD in Public Policy and Administration
   Tuition (In-State & Out-of-State): $56,290 (for a 2-year timeframe); $130,780 (for an 8-year timeframe)

   Walden University has two PhD programs for those interested in Public Policy. Their PhD in Public Policy and Administration program teaches students how to lead in the public arena while analyzing and implementing evidence-based policies. They also have a PhD in Criminal Justice and Law with a concentration in Public Policy. In this program, students study public policy from the perspective of law and justice and learn how legal decisions shape policy.

   Walden prides itself on providing an excellent experience and even gives each student a Doctoral Degree Coach to help them progress through the program. These degrees are between 58-68 credits and must be completed within an eight year time frame. For ambitious students, Walden offers a Fast-Track option.

   Curriculum, Internship, and Dissertation:

   The PhD in Public Policy and Administration program begins with a three-credit foundations course and then moves into a 25-credit core curriculum. Core courses include: “Leadership and Organizational Change” and “Governance and Public Policy.” Students then complete a three-course sequence of research classes and one advanced research course.

   The PhD in Criminal Justice with a focus on Public Policy has a very similar outline of requirements but requires very different courses. Students in this program will not take the same core curriculum as students in the aforementioned program. Here, core courses include:

   – “History and Contemporary Issues in Criminal Justice”
   – “Policy and Analysis in Criminal Justice Systems”

   Students in both programs must complete four different residencies. Throughout the entirety of each program, students also must be enrolled in a Doctoral Capstone program. The Doctoral Capstone culminates with a completed dissertation, defense, and publication.

   Admission Requirements:

   Walden offers a streamlined application process. You must fill out an online application, send in official transcripts, and have a master’s degree. An enrollment specialist will help walk students through the entire process.

   If you are interested in the Criminal Justice track but do not have a master’s degree in Criminal Justice, you can still be admitted to the program. However, you will need to take up to 20 additional credits.

   Find Out More:
   PhD in Criminal Justice/Law & Public Policy
   PhD in Public Policy and Administration

    

Accredited Online PhD Public Policy Programs

Accreditation happens both at the school level and at the programmatic level. For the school as a whole, you’ll want to look for regional accreditation as the gold standard.

On the programmatic level, doctor of Public Policy online programs are accredited by The Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA). NASPAA currently accredits 207 programs at 192 schools that meet their seven benchmark standards of excellence.

Online Public Policy PhD Courses

While there are many different variations in online PhD Public Policy programs, you may have noticed that there are some classes that are pretty standard across the board within the core curriculum. Most programs will start with some type of foundation or introductory course. Most programs also include courses on ethics, finances/budgeting, and leadership/management.

A scholarly dissertation with original research is a foundational component of earning a PhD. To prepare students, all programs will have several quantitative research courses. These courses will be relatively similar among all programs.

The biggest difference between program courses will generally lie in the electives. While the core curriculum will often feature similar courses, students can choose vastly different electives and specializations depending on the school’s offerings and their areas of interest.

Find Your PhD Online with GetEducated

Whether you want to spearhead a new nonprofit, lead a government organization, or open your own private consulting practice, there is an online PhD in Public Policy program that is right for you. We know it might feel overwhelming at times. But we believe in you and are cheering you on as you take the next steps to reach your big goals.

If you want to learn more about this and other online degrees, check out GetEducated! Read all about the amazing online options that are available for you today.