Ph.D. in Public Policy and Management

The Ph.D. in Public Policy and Management at Heinz College trains students to do cutting edge scientific research on real world problems in public policy and management in an increasingly complex, multifaceted world. Our students are trained in multiple disciplinary perspectives, advanced theoretical models, and frontier methodological and computer-based tools. This provides Heinz students with an advance “researcher’s toolkit" with which to rigorously address fundamental problems in public policy and management.

Our Ph.D. program distinguishes itself by emphasizing the following:

Collaborative Work: Create strong mentoring relationships with acclaimed faculty who closely supervise research projects, allowing you to identify and structure feasible and interesting research questions.

Hands-On Research Training: Students in our program start working on original research in their very first year. You will complete and write up two research projects before beginning your dissertation. Students often present their research at academic conferences (both national and international) and publish their research findings in scholarly journals, often with Heinz faculty.

Interdisciplinary Analysis: Learn the value of using theory and methodologies provided by economics, psychology, sociology, statistics, operations research and organizational behavior to analyze problems.

Empirical Methods: Development of a sophisticated set of methodological skills. Empirical analysis is a foundation for advancing understanding and creating intellectual progress.

Applied Research: Develop your abilities to conduct path-breaking research in information systems and management. Prior to graduating, you also have the opportunity to publish papers in professional journals either individually or jointly with Heinz College faculty mentors and present your findings at research conferences.

Students at Heinz also have the opportunity to participate in joint programs with other units on campus, including the:

• Ph.D. in Economics and Public Policy
• Ph.D. in Statistics and Public Policy
• Ph.D. in Strategy, Entrepreneurship and Technological Change
• Ph.D. in Machine Learning and Public Policy’
• Ph.D. in Technological Change and Entrepreneurship

Download the Heinz College PhD Program Handbook (PDF) >>