Coursework in the Public Policy Ph.D. program is directed toward two goals: to provide a strong foundation in the theory and methodology that are central to public policy scholarship; and to develop expertise in an area of concentration. To this end, the full-time curriculum encompasses the following courses:




Course List
Code Title Credits
Core Courses 1  
PPOL 507 SEMINAR 1
PPOL 511 PUBLIC ORGANIZATIONS AND LEADERSHIP 4
PPOL 512 PUBLIC POLICY THEORY 4
PPOL 554 PUBLIC POLICY THROUGH THE LENS OF DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION 1
PPOL 613 ADVANCED POLICY THEORY I 4
PPOL 614 ADVANCED POLICY THEORY II 4
PPOL 621 ADVANCED QUANTITATIVE METHODS 4
or PPOL 622 ADVANCED POLICY ANALYSIS
PPOL 628 ADVANCED QUALITATIVE METHODS 4
Additional methods courses as approved by Graduate Director 6
Electives  
Complete credits in a concentration or graduate certificate program 2 52
Thesis  
PPOL 603 THESIS (repeatable) 36
Total Credits 120
1 For students entering the PhD program with a Master's degree from an external program that does not meet the requirements of OSU's School of Public Policy MPP, fulfillment of some MPP courses may be required. These additional requirements will be determined on a case by case basis upon admission into the program
2 Students can select a focus in one of several established concentrations or graduate certificate programs, or self-design a concentration with the approval of the OSU Public Policy Graduate Program Director. Students can take concentration and elective courses from a variety of approved programs and colleges across OSU curriculum. Each concentration and/or certificate has a faculty advisor to help students identify appropriate courses and committee members. A minimum of 16 credits must be taken in a single area of concentration. The areas of concentration include: Economic Policy, Energy Policy; Environmental Policy; International Policy; Law, Crime, and Policy; Rural Policy; and Social Policy. Courses must be drawn from a list of pre-approved courses, or approved by petition to the student’s dissertation committee chair.
 
Most students will complete the required coursework (except Thesis credits) by the end of year two. Students can transfer up to 22.5 credits from their Master's Degree.