PhD Program


Apply Online Here

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

Methodology Course Offerings in other Departments

Methodology Courses

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

Comments are closed.

  • Request Information

    Fill out the form to request more
    information about the program.



    To all graduate programs.

    Deadline for the M.S. program
    is August 1st.


    Sign Up

    Fill out the form to add yourself
    to our email list. You can
    subsequently remove yourself
    at any time.