Why this graduate degree program may be for you
The Ph.D. in Law & Public Policy is an interdisciplinary public policy program that provides a comprehensive view of the policy making process and its outcomes. Our interdisciplinary focus means that students come from a variety of backgrounds. And our students typically have several years of work experience. Students quickly find that engaging in a classroom with other students who hold degrees such as the M.B.A., J.D., M.P.H., or other social science degrees is quite an intellectually stimulating experience. Our students engage in public policy analysis and research in several areas including crime, law and justice; health policy; labor market analysis and workforce development; health policy; sustainability and climate change and urban policy. Many graduates have found tenure track academic positions, some are well placed in the court system, and others have been hired in state government policy research positions.
What can you expect from the program
We distinguish the Law & Public Policy program from other public policy programs in two ways. First, while many public policy programs are mostly applied economics, economics is only one part of our curriculum. Our hallmark course, Strategizing Public Policy, illustrates our approach to the discipline (see the syllabus on our web site). We use a case study method to analyze how policy is made at the local, state, and federal level through legislation, litigation, the ballot box, and civil action. Second, students interested in developing a more theoretical and empirical understanding of the law will appreciate our law and society focus.
Another unique aspect of the program is that students design their own interdisciplinary curriculum. After taking core courses in theory, research methodology and economics, students develop their own plan of study in their chosen policy field. Students take courses in the School of Law and other colleges at Northeastern. The law courses in the curriculum provide students with the foundation to conduct legal research, understand the legal aspects of their policy focus area and to understand how the courts make policy.
Directions for taking a Directed Study
Core Courses and Syllabi
- Interdisciplinary Approaches to Policy and Advocacy
- Economics of Law and Regulation
- Law and Legal Reasoning
- Research and Statistical Methods LPSC7305
- Research Design and Analysis
- Strategizing Public Policy
- Philosophy and Public Policy
- Advance Methodology Elective
- Research Tool Kits
Methodology Course Offerings in other Departments
Policy Focus Areas
- Crime, Law, and Justice
- Health Policy
- Labor Marker Analysis and Workforce Development
- Sustainability and Climate Change
- Urban Policy
Core Faculty
- Joan Fitzgerald
- Judith Barr
- Barry Bluestone
- Chris Bosso
- Ballard Campbell
- Alan Clayton-Matthews
- Richard Daynard
- James Alan Fox
- Greg Goodale
- Thomas Koenig
- Steve Nathanson
- Stephanie Pollack
- Michael Tolley
- Gregory Wassall
Financial Aid and Scholarships
In addition to needs-based financial aid, a limited number of tuition discounts and scholarships are available. We urge you to complete your application for admission as early as possible. Applications for financial aid are processed after students have been admitted into the program. For complete details, go to Tuition and Financial Aid.
Admissions
Admissions to the PhD in the Law & Public Policy program are for the fall semester only. All applications must be submitted online.
Application Deadline: February 1st , 2011 for Fall Semester
How to Apply
To apply to the Law & Public Policy program, please submit:
- Official transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate schools attended
- GRE scores (The code for Northeastern University for the GRE is R3682.)
- Personal statement
- Current resume
- Three letters of recommendation
- Application fee
