Dual MPP/PhD in Political Science program

The Master of Public Policy Program and the Department of Political Science offer a dual MPP/PhD. Students would receive both an MPP and a PhD in Political Science within the same 72 credit hours that would be normally required for a PhD in Political Science. Students who seek to earn the dual degree must apply to and be accepted by both the Public Policy and Political Science programs. (Students enrolled in the dual degree would not earn a masters in Political Science.) Students must meet all of the requirements in both programs. Requirements and descriptions of the programs are found on the Political Science and Public Policy program websites.

The dual program works if students choose to take several courses that can be counted towards both degrees. To accomplish this, students must choose Public Policy Processes and Institutions as their policy field in the MPP program and Public Policy as their minor in the Political Science PhD program. Students choosing the Public Policy Processes and Institutions field as their MPP policy field would select three of the following courses:

• PSC 8210: American Political Processes (3 credits)
• PSC 8211: Urban Politics (3 credits)
• PSC 8213: Judicial Politics (3 credits)
• PSC 8217: Executive Branch Politics (3 credits)
• PSC 8218: Legislative Politics (3 credits)
• PSC 8219: Political Parties and Elections (3 credits)
• PSC 8221: Interest Group Politics (3 credits)
• PSC 8226: Politics and Organizations (3 credits)
• PSC 6228: Media and Politics (3 credits)
• PSC 8454: Advanced Theories: Foreign Policy and Decisionmaking (3 credits)
• PSC 8286, 8388, 8454 Special topics (when relevant and with advisor approval, e.g., a comparative public policy course when it is taught).

By choosing the Public Policy Processes and Institutions field as their MPP policy field, a student pursuing a dual MPP/PhD would be able to count up to three of the above Political Science courses as the three MPP policy field courses. Students would also choose their MPP electives in courses that would count towards their Political Science PhD. Several political science courses that are quite similar to required courses in the MPP program would substitute for PPPA requirements. Students pursuing this dual degree would be able to complete all requirements for both the MPP and PhD in Political Science program within 72 credit hours.

For answers to questions that cannot be obtained from the website, please contact Professor Kimberly Morgan regarding the PhD portion of the degree and Dr. Dylan Conger regarding the MPP portion of the degree.