policy analysis phd topics

About Stanford GSB

• The Leadership
• Dean’s Updates
• School News & History
• Commencement
• Business, Government & Society
• Centers & Institutes
• Center for Entrepreneurial Studies
• Center for Social Innovation
• Stanford Seed

About the Experience

• Learning at Stanford GSB
• Experiential Learning
• Guest Speakers
• Entrepreneurship
• Social Innovation
• Communication
• Life at Stanford GSB
• Collaborative Environment
• Activities & Organizations
• Student Services
• Housing Options
• International Students

Full-Time Degree Programs

• Why Stanford MBA
• Academic Experience
• Financial Aid
• Why Stanford MSx
• Research Fellows Program
• See All Programs

Non-Degree & Certificate Programs

• Executive Education
• Stanford Executive Program
• Programs for Organizations
• The Difference
• Online Programs
• Stanford LEAD
• Seed Transformation Program
• Aspire Program
• Seed Spark Program
• Faculty Profiles
• Academic Areas
• Awards & Honors
• Conferences

Faculty Research

• Publications
• Working Papers
• Case Studies

Research Hub

• Research Labs & Initiatives
• Business Library
• Data, Analytics & Research Computing
• Behavioral Lab

Research Labs

• Cities, Housing & Society Lab
• Golub Capital Social Impact Lab

Research Initiatives

• Corporate Governance Research Initiative
• Corporations and Society Initiative
• Policy and Innovation Initiative
• Rapid Decarbonization Initiative
• Stanford Latino Entrepreneurship Initiative
• Value Chain Innovation Initiative
• Venture Capital Initiative
• Career & Success
• Climate & Sustainability
• Corporate Governance
• Culture & Society
• Finance & Investing
• Government & Politics
• Leadership & Management
• Markets & Trade
• Operations & Logistics
• Opportunity & Access
• Organizational Behavior
• Political Economy
• Social Impact
• Technology & AI
• Opinion & Analysis
• Email Newsletter

Welcome, Alumni

• Communities
• Digital Communities & Tools
• Regional Chapters
• Women’s Programs
• Identity Chapters
• Find Your Reunion
• Career Resources
• Job Search Resources
• Career & Life Transitions
• Programs & Services
• Career Video Library
• Alumni Education
• Research Resources
• Volunteering
• Alumni News
• Class Notes
• Alumni Voices
• Contact Alumni Relations
• Upcoming Events

Admission Events & Information Sessions

• MBA Program
• MSx Program
• PhD Program
• Alumni Events
• All Other Events
• Requirements
• Requirements: Behavioral
• Requirements: Quantitative
• Requirements: Macro
• Requirements: Micro
• Annual Evaluations
• Field Examination
• Research Activities
• Research Papers
• Dissertation
• Oral Examination
• Current Students
• Entering Class Profile
• Education & CV
• GMAT & GRE
• International Applicants
• Statement of Purpose
• Letters of Recommendation
• Reapplicants
• Application Fee Waiver
• Deadline & Decisions
• Job Market Candidates
• Academic Placements
• Stay in Touch
• Fields of Study
• Student Life

Economic Analysis & Policy

Our doctoral program in the field of economic analysis and policy prepares students for research careers in economics. The program offers rigorous training and has several distinct advantages:

Low Student-to-Faculty Ratio

First, enrollment in the program is small. This encourages close faculty-student contact and allows students to become involved in research very early. Students work first as assistants on faculty research projects and, as their interests and skills develop, on their own research. Students often begin their publishing careers before completing their degrees.

Flexible and Innovative Program

Second, the program is flexible and innovative; students can draw on both the school’s and the university’s distinguished faculty. In addition to the faculty in the economics group at Stanford GSB and in the university’s economics department, students have access to faculty in political and behavioral sciences; accounting and finance; mathematics, statistics, and computer science; and many other disciplines.

A Top-Ranked School

Third, the program is part of a top-ranked professional school. This setting allows students to gain a deeper understanding of the actual processes of business decision-making and public policy formulation.

Preparation and Qualifications

Students who enroll in this program have a substantial background in economics and mathematics. They are expected to have, minimally, mathematical skills at the level of one year of advanced calculus and one course each in linear algebra, analysis, probability, optimization, and statistics.

The faculty selects students based on predicted performance in the program. Evidence of substantial background or ability in the use of mathematical reasoning and statistical methods is important. Most successful applicants had quantitative undergraduate majors in economics, mathematics, or related sciences.

In addition to evidence of ability and letters of recommendation, the faculty considers carefully the applicant’s statement of purpose for pursuing the PhD degree. The successful applicant usually has clearly defined career goals that are compatible with those of the program.

Acceptance into the program is extremely competitive. Admitted applicants compare very favorably with students enrolled in the top economics departments of major universities.

Economic Analysis & Policy Faculty

Mohammad akbarpour, claudia allende santa cruz, susan athey, lanier benkard, jeremy i. bulow, modibo khane camara, sebastian di tella, rebecca diamond, yossi feinberg, guido w. imbens, charles i. jones, michael ostrovsky, garth saloner, yuliy sannikov, kathryn shaw, andrzej skrzypacz, paulo somaini, juan carlos suárez serrato, takuo sugaya, christopher tonetti, shoshana vasserman, ali yurukoglu, weijie zhong, emeriti faculty, alain c. enthoven, robert j. flanagan, david m. kreps, peter c. reiss, john roberts, a. michael spence, robert wilson, recent publications in economic analysis & policy, an economic framework for vaccine prioritization, pricing power in advertising markets: theory and evidence, career: a foundation model for labor sequence data, recent insights by stanford business, a.i. can help “personalize” policies to reach the right people, stanford gsb faculty share their holiday reading lists, 10 of our favorite stories about careers and success of 2023, placement director.

• See the Current DEI Report
• Supporting Data
• Research & Insights
• Share Your Thoughts
• Search Fund Primer
• Teaching & Curriculum
• Affiliated Faculty
• Faculty Advisors
• Louis W. Foster Resource Center
• Defining Social Innovation
• Impact Compass
• Global Health Innovation Insights
• Faculty Affiliates
• Student Awards & Certificates
• Changemakers
• Dean Jonathan Levin
• Dean Garth Saloner
• Dean Robert Joss
• Dean Michael Spence
• Dean Robert Jaedicke
• Dean Rene McPherson
• Dean Arjay Miller
• Dean Ernest Arbuckle
• Dean Jacob Hugh Jackson
• Dean Willard Hotchkiss
• Faculty in Memoriam
• Stanford GSB Firsts
• Certificate & Award Recipients
• Teaching Approach
• Analysis and Measurement of Impact
• The Corporate Entrepreneur: Startup in a Grown-Up Enterprise
• Data-Driven Impact
• Designing Experiments for Impact
• Digital Business Transformation
• The Founder’s Right Hand
• Marketing for Measurable Change
• Product Management
• Public Policy Lab: Financial Challenges Facing US Cities
• Public Policy Lab: Homelessness in California
• Lab Features
• Curricular Integration
• View From The Top
• Formation of New Ventures
• Managing Growing Enterprises
• Startup Garage
• Explore Beyond the Classroom
• Stanford Venture Studio
• Summer Program
• Workshops & Events
• The Five Lenses of Entrepreneurship
• Leadership Labs
• Executive Challenge
• Arbuckle Leadership Fellows Program
• Selection Process
• Training Schedule
• Time Commitment
• Learning Expectations
• Post-Training Opportunities
• Who Should Apply
• Introductory T-Groups
• Leadership for Society Program
• Certificate
• 2023 Awardees
• 2022 Awardees
• 2021 Awardees
• 2020 Awardees
• 2019 Awardees
• 2018 Awardees
• Social Management Immersion Fund
• Stanford Impact Founder Fellowships and Prizes
• Stanford Impact Leader Prizes
• Social Entrepreneurship
• Stanford GSB Impact Fund
• Economic Development
• Energy & Environment
• Stanford GSB Residences
• Environmental Leadership
• Stanford GSB Artwork
• A Closer Look
• California & the Bay Area
• Voices of Stanford GSB
• Business & Beneficial Technology
• Business & Sustainability
• Business & Free Markets
• Business, Government, and Society Forum
• Get Involved
• Second Year
• Global Experiences
• JD/MBA Joint Degree
• MA Education/MBA Joint Degree
• MD/MBA Dual Degree
• MPP/MBA Joint Degree
• MS Computer Science/MBA Joint Degree
• MS Electrical Engineering/MBA Joint Degree
• MS Environment and Resources (E-IPER)/MBA Joint Degree
• Academic Calendar
• Clubs & Activities
• LGBTQ+ Students
• Military Veterans
• Minorities & People of Color
• Partners & Families
• Students with Disabilities
• Student Support
• Residential Life
• Student Voices
• MBA Alumni Voices
• A Week in the Life
• Career Support
• Employment Outcomes
• Cost of Attendance
• Knight-Hennessy Scholars Program
• Yellow Ribbon Program
• BOLD Fellows Fund
• Application Process
• Loan Forgiveness
• Contact the Financial Aid Office
• Evaluation Criteria
• English Language Proficiency
• Personal Information, Activities & Awards
• Professional Experience
• Optional Short Answer Questions
• Application Fee
• Reapplication
• Deferred Enrollment
• Joint & Dual Degrees
• Event Schedule
• Ambassadors
• New & Noteworthy
• Ask a Question
• See Why Stanford MSx
• Is MSx Right for You?
• MSx Stories
• Leadership Development
• Career Advancement
• Career Change
• How You Will Learn
• Admission Events
• Personal Information
• Information for Recommenders
• GMAT, GRE & EA
• English Proficiency Tests
• After You’re Admitted
• Daycare, Schools & Camps
• U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents
• Faculty Mentors
• Current Fellows
• Standard Track
• Fellowship & Benefits
• Group Enrollment
• Program Formats
• Developing a Program
• Diversity & Inclusion
• Strategic Transformation
• Program Experience
• Contact Client Services
• Campus Experience
• Live Online Experience
• Silicon Valley & Bay Area
• Digital Credentials
• Faculty Spotlights
• Participant Spotlights
• Eligibility
• International Participants
• Stanford Ignite
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Operations, Information & Technology
• Classical Liberalism
• The Eddie Lunch
• Accounting Summer Camp
• Videos, Code & Data
• California Econometrics Conference
• California Quantitative Marketing PhD Conference
• California School Conference
• China India Insights Conference
• Homo economicus, Evolving
• Political Economics (2023–24)
• Scaling Geologic Storage of CO2 (2023–24)
• A Resilient Pacific: Building Connections, Envisioning Solutions
• Adaptation and Innovation
• Changing Climate
• Civil Society
• Climate Impact Summit
• Climate Science
• Corporate Carbon Disclosures
• Earth’s Seafloor
• Environmental Justice
• Operations and Information Technology
• Organizations
• Sustainability Reporting and Control
• Taking the Pulse of the Planet
• Urban Infrastructure
• Watershed Restoration
• Junior Faculty Workshop on Financial Regulation and Banking
• Ken Singleton Celebration
• Quantitative Marketing PhD Alumni Conference
• Presentations
• Theory and Inference in Accounting Research
• Stanford Closer Look Series
• Quick Guides
• Core Concepts
• Journal Articles
• Glossary of Terms
• Faculty & Staff
• Researchers & Students
• Research Approach
• Charitable Giving
• Financial Health
• Government Services
• Workers & Careers
• Short Course
• Adaptive & Iterative Experimentation
• Incentive Design
• Social Sciences & Behavioral Nudges
• Bandit Experiment Application
• Conferences & Events
• Reading Materials
• Energy Entrepreneurship
• Faculty & Affiliates
• SOLE Report
• Responsible Supply Chains
• Current Study Usage
• Pre-Registration Information
• Participate in a Study
• Founding Donors
• Location Information
• Participant Profile
• Network Membership
• Program Impact
• Collaborators
• Entrepreneur Profiles
• Company Spotlights
• Seed Transformation Network
• Responsibilities
• Current Coaches
• How to Apply
• Meet the Consultants
• Meet the Interns
• Intern Profiles
• Collaborate
• Research Library
• News & Insights
• Program Contacts
• Databases & Datasets
• Research Guides
• Consultations
• Research Workshops
• Career Research
• Research Data Services
• Course Reserves
• Course Research Guides
• Material Loan Periods
• Fines & Other Charges
• Document Delivery
• Interlibrary Loan
• Equipment Checkout
• Print & Scan
• MBA & MSx Students
• PhD Students
• Other Stanford Students
• Faculty Assistants
• Research Assistants
• Stanford GSB Alumni
• Telling Our Story
• Staff Directory
• Site Registration
• Alumni Directory
• Alumni Email
• Privacy Settings & My Profile
• Success Stories
• The Story of Circles
• Support Women’s Circles
• Stanford Women on Boards Initiative
• Alumnae Spotlights
• Insights & Research
• Industry & Professional
• Entrepreneurial Commitment Group
• Recent Alumni
• Half-Century Club
• Fall Reunions
• Spring Reunions
• MBA 25th Reunion
• Half-Century Club Reunion
• Faculty Lectures
• Ernest C. Arbuckle Award
• Alison Elliott Exceptional Achievement Award
• ENCORE Award
• Excellence in Leadership Award
• John W. Gardner Volunteer Leadership Award
• Robert K. Jaedicke Faculty Award
• Jack McDonald Military Service Appreciation Award
• Jerry I. Porras Latino Leadership Award
• Tapestry Award
• Student & Alumni Events
• Executive Recruiters
• Interviewing
• Land the Perfect Job with LinkedIn
• Negotiating
• Elevator Pitch
• Email Best Practices
• Resumes & Cover Letters
• Self-Assessment
• Whitney Birdwell Ball
• Margaret Brooks
• Bryn Panee Burkhart
• Margaret Chan
• Ricki Frankel
• Peter Gandolfo
• Cindy W. Greig
• Natalie Guillen
• Carly Janson
• Sloan Klein
• Sherri Appel Lassila
• Stuart Meyer
• Tanisha Parrish
• Virginia Roberson
• Philippe Taieb
• Michael Takagawa
• Terra Winston
• Johanna Wise
• Debbie Wolter
• Rebecca Zucker
• Complimentary Coaching
• Changing Careers
• Work-Life Integration
• Career Breaks
• Flexible Work
• Encore Careers
• D&B Hoovers
• Data Axle (ReferenceUSA)
• EBSCO Business Source
• Firsthand (Vault)
• Global Newsstream
• Market Share Reporter
• ProQuest One Business
• Student Clubs
• Entrepreneurial Students
• Stanford GSB Trust
• Alumni Community
• How to Volunteer
• Springboard Sessions
• Consulting Projects
• 2020 – 2029
• 2010 – 2019
• 2000 – 2009
• 1990 – 1999
• 1980 – 1989
• 1970 – 1979
• 1960 – 1969
• 1950 – 1959
• 1940 – 1949
• Service Areas
• ACT History
• ACT Awards Celebration
• ACT Governance Structure
• Building Leadership for ACT
• Individual Leadership Positions
• Leadership Role Overview
• Purpose of the ACT Management Board
• Contact ACT
• Business & Nonprofit Communities
• Reunion Volunteers
• Ways to Give
• Fiscal Year Report
• Business School Fund Leadership Council
• Planned Giving Options
• Planned Giving Benefits
• Planned Gifts and Reunions
• Legacy Partners
• Giving News & Stories
• Giving Deadlines
• Development Staff
• Submit Class Notes
• Class Secretaries
• Board of Directors
• Health Care
• Sustainability
• Class Takeaways
• All Else Equal: Making Better Decisions
• If/Then: Business, Leadership, Society
• Grit & Growth
• Think Fast, Talk Smart
• Spring 2022
• Spring 2021
• Autumn 2020
• Summer 2020
• Winter 2020
• In the Media
• For Journalists
• DCI Fellows
• Other Auditors
• Academic Calendar & Deadlines
• Course Materials
• Entrepreneurial Resources
• Campus Drive Grove
• Campus Drive Lawn
• CEMEX Auditorium
• King Community Court
• Seawell Family Boardroom
• Stanford GSB Bowl
• Stanford Investors Common
• Town Square
• Vidalakis Courtyard
• Vidalakis Dining Hall
• Catering Services
• Policies & Guidelines
• Reservations
• Contact Faculty Recruiting
• Lecturer Positions
• Postdoctoral Positions
• Accommodations
• CMC-Managed Interviews
• Recruiter-Managed Interviews
• Virtual Interviews
• Campus & Virtual
• Search for Candidates
• Think Globally
• Recruiting Calendar
• Recruiting Policies
• Full-Time Employment
• Summer Employment
• Entrepreneurial Summer Program
• Global Management Immersion Experience
• Social-Purpose Summer Internships
• Process Overview
• Project Types
• Client Eligibility Criteria
• Client Screening
• ACT Leadership
• Social Innovation & Nonprofit Management Resources
• Develop Your Organization’s Talent
• Centers & Initiatives
• Student Fellowships

The Ph.D. program at Harris Public Policy prepares students for careers in academia, industry, and government. It emphasizes a rigorous foundation in microeconomics, econometrics, and political economy, along with in-depth study of particular substantive areas associated with policy and policy-making. The program allows students to develop individualized and innovative courses of study in which they work closely with faculty members of the School and the University.

Consistent with the highly quantitative and analytic nature of the Harris School's Ph.D. degree, Harris has categorized the degree under a code which is currently on the DHS STEM list . Students on F-1 visas who have earned a degree that has been designated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as a STEM degree may be eligible to apply for a 24-month extension of their post-completion optional practical training (OPT) so long as they meet all eligibility criteria at the time of application.

Ph.D. Program Requirements

Get information about the curriculum and academic requirements for the Ph.D. in Public Policy Program.

If you have questions about the Harris degree requirements, email the Harris Dean of Students Office at  [email protected] . Policies on the results of not meeting these requirements can be found on the Harris policies page .

Ph.D. Candidates on the Job Market

Meet the Ph.D. program’s current job market candidates.

Ph.D. Placements

See where our graduates go on to make an impact.

Ph.D. Workshop

Engage with our students' research.

Program Details

Director of graduate studies.

Steven Durlauf , Professor ([email protected])

Durlauf's research spans many topics in microeconomics and macroeconomics. His most important substantive contributions involve the areas of poverty, inequality and economic growth. Much of his research has attempted to integrate sociological ideas into economic analysis.

Associate Directors

Yana Gallen , Assistant Professor ([email protected])

Eyal Frank , Assistant Professor  ([email protected] )

Dean of Students

Kate Shannon Biddle ([email protected])

Program Director

Barbara Williams ([email protected])

"Here the Client is Truth"

Start making a difference today. Request Info Apply Now

Recent News

Harris names 2024 alumni award winners, alumni profile: alena stern, mscapp’19, harris school of public policy announces policy innovation challenge's winning student-led pension proposal, upcoming events, harris evening master's program class visit—economic analysis iii: public finance and budgeting with professor justin marlowe.

Convene 311 West Monroe St. 2nd Floor Reception Chicago , IL 60606 United States

Persuasive Writing Credential (PWC) Roundtable with David Chrisinger

Harris evening master's program information session, you might also be interested in....

Student Profile: Raul Leon, MACRM Class of 2024

Harris Evening Master's Program Class Visit: Analytical Politics II - Politics and Policy Making with Professor Chris Berry

• How to Apply
• Why Public Policy
• Financial Aid
• Academic Advising
• Find a Job or Internship
• Disability Resources
• Room Reservations
• Academic Calendar
• Faculty Resources
• Faculty Access
• Human Resources
• News and Events
• Alumni Directory
• Get Involved

Science, Technology and Policy Studies Track

In this section.

• Degree Requirements
• What We Look For

The Science, Technology and Policy Studies track provides rigorous interdisciplinary training, drawing on methodological tools from science and technology policy, science and technology studies, policy analysis, political theory, law, and economics.

At HKS, students have access to leading scholars from across Harvard in the social sciences, natural sciences, and engineering, with specialties in areas such as security studies, energy policy, innovation and development, environment and climate, biotechnology, data science, and information. The HKS faculty includes practitioners with wide experience at the highest levels of government and industry in science and technology policy.

Graduates are qualified for academic teaching and research in public policy schools, interdisciplinary programs, and traditional social science departments, as well as for leadership positions in national and international science and technology policy in both the public and private sectors.

Connect with Pitt Education

PhD in Education Policy

Become a world-class researcher in equity-driven educational policy.

Our PhD in Education Policy provides you with a deep and nuanced understanding of the education policy process, including policy formulation, implementation, and evaluation, and the methodological approaches used to examine these processes and their effects. As a student, you will also explore how the (re)design of policies and systems create substantive improvements in learning opportunities for learners of all ages.

Through apprenticed research experiences and coursework, students will be prepared to engage in collaborative partnerships with a range of policy stakeholders including educators, leaders, policymakers, students, and communities across local, national, and international contexts

Request Info

View Tuition

Program Facts

Degree Type

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Time Commitment

5 years on average

Enrollment Term

Application Deadline

Admissions Requirements

No GRE Exam required

Program Overview

The PhD in Educational Policy is a 90-credit doctoral program. Through apprenticed research experiences, students will gain expertise in policy analysis necessary to prepare them to do independent research and pursue careers in policy research.

Flexible Curriculum

Students have the flexibility to choose courses that match their interests. Many options for customization exist within the curriculum and through the choice between electives or the completion of an optional Area of Concentration (ARCO).

Specialization Option

In place of the elective requirement, students have the option of completing an Area of Concentration (ARCO) as part of the degree. An ARCO is a University of Pittsburgh credential that provides specialization within a specific discipline of education policy. The doctoral ARCO pathway is 18 credits and does not result in any added cost, time, or credit hours.

• Comparative and International Education ARCO

See details about the ARCO courses in the curriculum section below. 

For expanded class descriptions, visit the University of Pittsburgh Graduate and Professional Studies catalog .

Minimum of 90 credits required

Education Policy Core (6 credits)

Students are required to complete both courses:

• EFOP 3010 – Educational Systems, Macro Policy, and Politics  (3 credits)
• EFOP 3011 – Education Policy: Students, Families, Educators and Policymakers (3 credits)

Research Methods (21 credits)

A total of 21 credits is required.

Students take the following three schoolwide PhD core research courses (9 credits):  

• EDUC 3100: Intro to Quant Methods: Descriptive and Inferential Statistics (3 credits)
• EDUC 3103: Quantitative Methods 2 (3 credits)
• EDUC 3104: Introduction to Qualitative Methods (3 credits)

12 additional credits should be taken, based on interests. Recommended research methods courses include but are not limited to:

• EDUC 2201 Introduction to Research Methodology
• EDUC 2205 Field Methods
• EDUC 3000 Advanced Applied Statistical Analysis
• EDUC 3106 Advanced Applied Qualitative Analysis
• EDUC 3107 Ways of Knowing
• EDUC 3418 Causal Moderation and Mediation Analysis
• EDUC 3501 Critical Policy Analysis
• EDUC 3503 Historical Research Analysis & Archival Methods
• EDUC 3505 Research-Practice Partnerships
• EDUC 3506 Mixed Methods Research
• EFOP 2018 Statistics 1: Descriptive and Inferential Statistics
• EFOP 2019 Statistics 2: Analysis of Variance
• EFOP 2030 Experimental Design
• EFOP 2353 Applied Anthropology of Education
• EFOP 2410 Applied Regression Analysis
• EFOP 3012 Qualitative Data Management Analysis and Presentation
• EFOP 3201 Introduction to Educational Evaluation
• EFOP 3208 Case Study Methods in Education
• EFOP 3408 Hierarchical Linear Modeling
• EFOP 3471 Constructing Questionnaires and Conducting Surveys
• EFOP 3472 Causal Inference in Educational Research
• TLL 2405 Introduction to Action Research Methods
• TLL 3003 Research Interviewing

Program Electives (18 credits) or Optional Area of Concentration (18 credits)

Students can either take program electives or select from an approved list of courses in the Comparative and International Education ARCO.

Program Electives (18 credits)

Social context

• EFOP 2133 Gender and Education
• EFOP 2305 Sociology of Education
• EFOP 2306 History of Education
• EFOP 2307 Politics and History of Higher Education
• EFOP 2310 Contemporary Philosophy of Education
• EFOP 2343 Education and Culture
• EFOP 2352 Anthropology of Education
• EFOP 2398 Economics of Education
• EFOP 3003 Theories of Educational Inequality
• EFOP 3310 Philosophy of Education, Equity & Justice

Education Policy 

• EDUC 3505 Research-Practice Partnerships 
• EFOP 3141 Policy Studies in Higher Education 
• EFOP 3315 Education Politics: Power & Inequality in K-12 Education Systems
• TLL 3021 Learning Sciences and Educational Change
• TLL 3008 Educational Policy
• TLL 3095 Organizational Perspectives on Education Improvement
• TLL 3540 Design of Educational Systems

Higher Education

• EFOP 2129 Social Justice in Higher Education Settings
• EFOP 3015 Ethical Issues in Higher Education
• EFOP 3131 Student, Campus, & Society
• EFOP 3141 Policy Studies in Higher Education
• EFOP 3150 Foundations for the Study of Higher Education

Special Courses

• EFOP 2096 Internship in EFOP
• EFOP 2089 Special Topics
• EFOP 3089 Special Topics
• EFOP 3098 Directed Study

Area of Concentration (ARCO) Option (18 credits)

Instead of completing program electives, students can opt to add an ARCO in Comparative and International Education Policy.

To meet the criteria for the area of concentration in Comparative & International Education, students complete at least 18 credits from the courses listed below, including 3 required credits of EFOP 3085. 

• EFOP 3085 Comp & Int’l Ed Seminar
• EFOP 2106 International & Global Education
• EFOP 2359 Gender, Education, and International Development
• EFOP 3136 Comparative Higher Education
• EFOP 3301 Social Theories & Education in Global Context
• EFOP 3343 Comparative Education

General Electives (9 credits)

All students are required to take 9 credits of general electives. Students can select from any graduate-level courses relevant to their program of study, with advisor approval.

Supporting Field (9 credits)

As an interdisciplinary program of study, PhD students in the Education Policy program are required to take 9 credits outside of the School of Education representing a coherent disciplinary or thematic focus.

We encourage students to consult with their advisors about selecting courses that best align with their goals. Courses taken at a previous institution may be transferred to meet the Supporting Field requirement, if approved by the advisor.

No modifications to this requirement are permitted, unless approved by a majority of the program faculty.

Other Required Courses (27 credits)

• EDUC 3102: First-Year Seminar (1 credit)
• EDUC 3105: First-Year Seminar (2 credits)
• EFOP 3097: Supervised Research (6 credits)
• Dissertation Credits (18 credits)

Degree Requirements

• Completion of all coursework
• Dissertation defense
• Doctoral comprehensive examination

Prerequisites

• Bachelor’s degree in any subject
• Interest in a career related to education policy and in exploring how policy can contribute to more just and equitable education systems

Take the Next Step

Upcoming Info Sessions

General Info Session (Virtual)

April 15, 2024 | Noon-1 PM

April 29, 2024 | Noon-1 PM

May 13, 2024 | Noon-1 PM

"My classes, professors, and staff have been welcoming and engaged throughout my time in the program. It has inspired me to work for international education, social justice, and social change both in my hometown in Peru and around the world." Jennifer Ponce Cori - Pitt student

Career Pathways

Popular pathways include the following:

• Faculty position at a higher education institution
• Senior policy fellow
• Policy researcher for a government agency, non-governmental agency, or nonprofit institution

Program Faculty

Program Coordinator

Hayley R. Weddle

Eleanor Anderson

Josh Bleiberg

Michael Gunzenhauser

Sean Patrick Kelly

Maureen McClure

Maureen K. Porter

M. Najeeb Shafiq

Keith Trahan

Leigh Patel

Mariko Yoshisato Cavey

Program News

PhD Student David Smith Receives NAEd/Spencer Dissertation Fellowship

PhD Student David Smith Receives NAEd/Spencer Dissertation Fellowship - Read more

Prof. Maureen Porter Receives Outstanding International Educator Award

Prof. Maureen Porter Receives Outstanding International Educator Award - Read more

Two Faculty Members Named 2022 AERA Outstanding Reviewers

Two Faculty Members Named 2022 AERA Outstanding Reviewers - Read more

2022 Educational Leadership Series Will Explore Global Freedom Work

2022 Educational Leadership Series Will Explore Global Freedom Work - Read more

Five Questions with Alumna Yidan Wang of the World Bank Group

Five Questions with Alumna Yidan Wang of the World Bank Group - Read more

Policy Analysis: A Tool for Evidence-Based Decision Making

Policy analysis is problem solving.  It involves making systematic comparisons across a set of alternatives to address a particular policy or planning problem, usually in the face of time and resource constraints.  Typically, policy analysis is done to provide advice to a client, organization, or another decision-maker in the face of a public problem or crisis.  It involves rapid response, quickly orienting yourself to new and changing topics that often are complex and controversial.  How to develop doable solutions that target the core problem at hand? How to weigh the many competing trade-offs among diverse stakeholders?  How to balance innovation with pragmatism?  In this class we will develop strategies to address these, and other, challenges. 

While the course will emphasize the development of a stage-based analytical approach, we will also discuss alternative models of policy analysis and consider critical perspectives from political science, behavioral science and design fields.

Based largely on case discussions, the class will explore the choices facing decision makers in the public and nonprofit sectors in the US and abroad with regard to a wide range of issues, including public health, environmental protection, urban development, transportation and infrastructure.  We will also have a unit on cost benefit analysis and how to incorporate it into this analytical toolbox.  We will approach CBA from a critical perspective and consider its limitations in the face of scarce information and equity concerns. 

This is a methods course: we will use a variety of cases to practice and become nimble in the logic and techniques behind policy analysis, rather than becoming an expert in any one subject area.  Students will develop their own analyses and learn how to communicate them in written memos, oral argument, and visual presentations. The course will culminate in a team project in which students conduct a simulated policy analysis exercise on a current issue.

Up to four seats will be held for MDes students. 

This course will be taught online through Friday, February 4th.

• IPR Intranet

INSTITUTE FOR POLICY RESEARCH

• What We Study

Trending Policy Topics

Bipartisanship and Partisanship

Housing Discrimination

School Spending

Food Insecurity

Policing and Violence

COVID-19 and Public Opinion

• Skip to Content
• Skip to Main Navigation
• Skip to Search

Indiana University Bloomington Indiana University Bloomington IU Bloomington

• High-impact Practices
• Bachelor of Science in Public Affairs (BSPA)
• Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science (BSES)
• Bachelor of Arts in Environmental and Sustainability Studies (BAESS)
• Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Management and Policy (BSHMP)
• Bachelor of Science in Arts Management (BSAM)
• Minors & Certificates
• Advising Staff
• General Ed and Intro
• Topics V450
• Topics V456
• O’Neill Launch
• Director’s Welcome
• Rising Leaders Program
• NextGeneration Leadership Program
• Indiana Leadership Program
• Courses & Faculty
• Estimated Costs
• Student Spotlights
• O'Neill Expo
• Required Internship
• Accelerated Master's Program
• O'Neill + Maurer JD
• Current IU Bloomington Students
• High School Students
• Transfer students
• For Current Students
• For Incoming Students
• Non-O’Neill Funding Opportunities
• Contact & Visit
• Academic & Leadership Programs
• Leadership Seminar Series
• Mission and Goals
• Core Curriculum
• Concentrations
• Washington, D.C. Accelerator Program
• Experiential Requirement
• Components & Concentrations
• Master of Environmental Sustainability (MES)
• Practicum Experience
• Executive Certification
• Master of International Affairs (MIA)
• MPA-MIA Dual Degree
• Experiential Requirements
• Faculty Profiles & Publications
• For Jacobs Students
• For Doctoral Students
• MAAA-MPA Dual Degree
• Additional Dual Degrees
• Certificates
• How to Apply
• Fellowships & Financial Resources
• Prior Professional Experience Benefits
• Peace Corps
• Teach for America
• Military and Veteran Benefits
• Funding for Current Students
• Funding for International Students
• Federal Financial Aid
• Subscribe to our Newsletter
• Virtual Sessions & Webinars
• Experience Day
• Schedule a Visit
• Connect with a Current Student
• O'Neill Visits You
• Why O'Neill?
• Environmental Policy
• Public Finance
• Public Management
• Public Policy Analysis
• Ph.D. in Environmental Science
• Environmental Science Fellowships
• On the Job Market
• Recent Placements
• Current Students
• Dissertations
• Why O’Neill ?
• Our Mission and Goals
• Degree Requirements and Curriculum
• O’Neill Online Week
• Nonprofit Management
• Public & Nonprofit Evaluation
• Tuition & Fees
• Financial Aid
• Meet Our Students
• Meet Our Alumni
• For Professionals
• For Military Students
• Helping You Succeed
• Information Sessions
• Executive Education
• Faculty Directory
• Environmental Research and Policy
• Racial Justice
• Research Areas
• Faculty Research Publications
• Laboratories
• Centers & Initiatives
• Working Research Groups
• Speaker Series
• Journals & Books
• Explore Careers & Outcomes
• Register Your Internships
• Internship Funds and Scholarships
• For Employers
• Careers Login
• Life at O’Neill
• Life in Bloomington
• Precollege Programs
• For International Students
• Resilience and Wellbeing Initiative
• O’Neill International
• Leadership Opportunities
• Student Organizations
• Virtual Tour
• Dean’s Welcome
• Strategic Goals and Progress
• About Paul H. O'Neill
• 50th Anniversary
• Environment, Climate, and Sustainability
• Mission, Vision, and Values
• School Profile
• Vietnam Young Leaders Award
• Activate O'Neill
• Support & Resources
• Bloomington & Indianapolis
• Careers at O'Neill
• Administration & Staff Directory
• Dean’s Council
• Get Involved
• Alumni Events
• Alumni Recognition
• Distinguished Alumni Council
• Alumni Board of Directors
• Areas to Support
• Ways to Give
• Our Supporters
• Alumni Communications

Paul H. O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs

• Alumni & Giving
• Faculty & Research

Policy Analysis

Policy analysis is the systematic assessment of policy alternatives to a particular public problem or issue. Our policy analysis tool kit is extensive and, in our research for solutions to public policy issues, we include:

• Process or implementation studies
• Social experimentation and program evaluation
• Cost-benefit analysis
• Forecasting, risk-assessment, efficiency modeling
• Constrained optimization methods such as linear or multi-objective goal programming

Faculty Members

Shahzeen Attari

Paolo Belardinelli

Assistant Professor

Clinical Associate Professor

Daniel Cole

Brian DeLong

Senior Lecturer, University Debate Coach

Sameeksha Desai

Associate Professor; Director, Manufacturing Policy Initiative; Associate Director, Institute for Development Strategies

Aaron Deslatte

Associate Professor

Denvil Duncan

Seth Freedman

John D. Graham

Bradley T. Heim

Executive Associate Dean, Professor

Diane S. Henshel

David Konisky

Lynton K. Caldwell Professor

Kerry Krutilla

Professor; Faculty Affiliate, Ostrom Workshop

Antung Anthony Liu

Siân Mooney

Ashlyn Aiko Nelson

Jill Nicholson-Crotty

Professor; Director, Master of Public Affairs Program and O'Neill Online MPA Program

Alberto Ortega

Clinton Oster, Jr.

Professor Emeritus

Maureen A. Pirog

Rudy Professor Emerita of Policy Analysis

Kenneth R. Richards

Barry M. Rubin

John A. Rupp

Clinical Associate Professor Emeritus

Jennifer Silva

Daniel Simon

Kosali Simon

Distinguished Professor; Herman B Wells Endowed Professor; Paul O’Neill Chair; Associate Vice Provost for Health Sciences; Elected member, National Academy of Medicine; Editor, Journal of Health Economics

Shellye Suttles

Joanna Woronkowicz

J. Landon Yoder

C. Kurt Zorn

Paul H. O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs social media channels

• Give to the O’Neill School

Additional links and resources

• News & Insights
• All News & Insights

‘It is open season on DEI’

Scholars discuss the current environment in higher education and offer historical context and policy insights at the 45th Pullias Lecture.

At least 10 states have implemented restrictions on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) according to a recent ABC News story on the impact of anti-DEI legislation in higher education. Some policies ban state funds from being used for diversity-based programs, activities and offices on college campuses. While other states ban diversity offices at universities altogether. On March 28, the USC Pullias Center for Higher Education’s 45th Pullias Lecture gathered leading DEI scholars to discuss the current environment in higher education and offer their historical and policy insights. Held at the California Science Center in Los Angeles, the lecture’s theme was Understanding and Navigating an Increasingly Hostile DEI Environment in Higher Education . Over 300 participants—in-person and online—attended the event this year.

Moderated by USC Rossier Dean Pedro Noguera , the distinguished panel of national DEI scholars and researchers included Eddie Cole , associate professor of education and history, UCLA; Liliana Garces , professor of community college leadership, University of Texas, Austin; and Royel Johnson , associate professor of higher education, USC Rossier and a member of the Pullias Center faculty.

“As these [DEI] challenges emerge, it’s important to remember they come on the heels of progress and to remain hopeful,” said Adrianna Kezar , director of the Pullias Center, in her welcome remarks.

While attacks against DEI on college campuses appear to be in the news more lately, there is a longstanding history of controversy in higher education. “It seems to come out of nowhere,” said Cole. “But the historian of higher education in me reminds me that much of this is not new.” He goes on to say that the attacks on equity in higher education are as old as higher education in the U.S. From the oldest school in the country in 1636 all the way up to 2024, the challenges remain today of who enters college and who does not. The DEI challenge is “woven into the fabric of higher education” according to Cole.

“It’s a very well coordinated and very well funded campaign to see distrust in our higher education system,” said Garces. One main strategy she noted is to mischaracterize educational policies to legitimize them. The mischaracterizations are embedded into laws so that educators are forced to change their practice. The waves of anti-Critical Race Theory (CRT) in K–12 legislation and anti-DEI legislation may have infringements on academic freedom according to Garces. “We know that decades of social science research show that we need to attend to race,” she added. “We need to speak openly and candidly about it, to use Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor's words in a prior court ruling, in order to stop race from mattering.”

Cole and Garces also contributed to a recent DEI report providing research-based facts to respond to attacks against DEI initiatives on college campuses. They were among 11 university DEI scholars who contributed to the report produced by the USC Race and Equity Center .

To add further context, Johnson discussed recent events and their connection to higher education. “It is open season on DEI,” he said. From the murder of George Floyd in the summer of 2020 to the storming of the U.S. Capital on January 6 to a wave of legislation targeting CRT, “what we’re seeing in higher education is an extension of that,” Johnson continued. As the country changes and becomes more diverse, there are implications for democracy. “The evidence is clear,” he added. “The educational benefits of diversity are overwhelming not just to the individual, but to society.”

According to Noguera, the attacks on DEI in higher education is a moment in history and there is no reversing our increasingly diverse society. While the attacks on DEI in higher education are significant and repressive, it does not define the future of education. “Inevitably diversity is in our interests as a nation,” Noguera said.

Adrianna Kezar

• Dean's Professor of Leadership
• Wilbur-Kieffer Professor of Higher Education
• Director Pullias Center for Higher Education

Royel M. Johnson, PhD

• Associate Professor & Director

• Pedro Noguera
• Distinguished Professor of Education
• Emery Stoops and Joyce King Stoops Dean

Pullias Center for Higher Education

The University of Southern California Race and Equity Center

Article Type

Article topics.

• Diversity, equity and inclusion

Related News & Insights

April 4, 2024

Annual conference challenges presenters to dismantle racial injustice and construct educational possibilities

The 2024 American Educational Research Association Conference to feature over five-dozen USC Rossier scholars.

March 20, 2024

Higher education DEI myths demystified

In a rebuke to a congressional hearing attacking DEI efforts on university campuses, 12 scholars debunk the politicized misinformation with evidence-based responses.

Featured Faculty

• Shaun Harper

March 14, 2024

Conference focuses on peer collaboration and advancing equity through higher education research

At annual Research for Impact Conference, over 250 attendees heard from over 80 presenters on research projects across the USC Rossier community.

• Gale M. Sinatra
• Adrian H. Huerta
• Artineh Samkian

Undergraduate

Public policy major, putting theory into practice in the public, private, and non-profit sector, why is studying public policy important.

Public policy affects every aspect of our lives, from the prices of the goods we buy to the decisions we make about where to live, work, and go to school.

By majoring in Public Policy you will apply an interdisciplinary social science curriculum that focuses on policy analysis and public affairs, ranging from the processes of making, implementing, and evaluating government policies to the ethical evaluation of contemporary social problems.

Sample Courses

Artificial intelligence: law, ethics and politics.

In the coming decades machine intelligence will transform the economy, society, and global politics. This course will study these processes and the political challenges to the development of beneficial AI. Topics will include problems in AI safety; effects on- and of inequality and technological unemployment; the strategic and tactical impacts of autonomous weapons, cyberweapons, and AI-enabled intelligence operations; global institutions for providing global public goods, the legitimate aggregation of preferences, and the beneficial governance of AI development.

Comparative Environmental Policy

This course focuses on environmental legislation such as the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the Clean Air Act (CAA), the Clean Water Act (CWA), and others as a foundation for US environmental policy. Internationally, focus on Environmental Policy in multiple countries and comparative to US environmental policy. Over the course we will discuss how environmental policy directly impacts community, public health, natural ecological systems, concepts of justice, and socioeconomics. We will explore these major environmental policies in the US as a basis of comparison and then apply those mechanism domestically or internationally to address climate change and improve other environment conditions. Students who seek to work in the US will build an analytic skill set to be competitive for jobs in environmental consulting, government, public policy, public health, non-profits, and advocacy groups.

Introduction to Public Policy

The pressing issues of our time—from climate change to national security, from immigration to policing, from global economic development to domestic voting rights—are deeply intertwined with public policy decisions made by governments. In this course, we consider how societal conditions come to be defined as problems for governments to solve, the role of public and private actors in influencing policy processes, and how we know whether policies achieve their goals. Course readings, lectures, discussions, and experiential learning assignments provide opportunities for students to critically analyze public policy processes and outcomes from multiple disciplinary perspectives, including economics, political science, and sociology. The course also introduces students to key areas of public policy including technology policy; environmental and sustainability policy; global security; health policy; inequality and social policy; international development; and race, racism and public policy.

Race, Racism, and Public Policy

Public policy is a fundamental mechanism for addressing the most vexing and important social problems of our time. Racial inequality and structural racism are chief among such problems. Policy is thus widely understood and frequently touted as a means for redressing the harms of racism. Yet, public policy has also been identified as a channel through which racism flows. These seemingly paradoxical understandings of the relationships between racism and public policy raise critical questions about equality, democracy, the economy, and politics. This course examines such questions. questions. We begin by theoretically grounding key concepts such as “race” “racism” and “public policy.” We then consider the historical record, highlighting the fundamental role of racism in shaping politics and policy. Next, we build on these conceptual and historical foundations through thematic investigation of core policy elements (e.g., policy design, policy implementation, policy feedback), key policy institutions (e.g., legislatures, parties) and significant policy actors (e.g., social movement organizations, interest groups). Finally, the class wraps up with a series of policy “deep dives” involving close examination of specific policy domains (e.g., housing, health, the environment).

Politics of Public Policy in the U.S.

Public policies are political outcomes determined by processes that are complex, convoluted and often controversial. The aim of this course is to equip students with the conceptual tools necessary to understand these processes. We will begin with a review of popular approaches to studying policy and then move on to explore the various stages of policy development: agenda-setting, policy design, policy implementation, policy feedback and policy change. We will consider the roles played by both institutions (congress, the bureaucracy and interests groups) and everyday people. Finally, we will closely study several specific policy arenas (a few likely candidates include: education policy, health policy, social welfare policy and housing policy). As we engage all of these ideas, students will be consistently challenged to grapple with the paradoxes of policy making in a democratic polity and to envision pathways for substantive political change. 

The Public Policy major doesn’t just have you study what was done in past, but it challenges you to practice policy solutions that will change the future through classroom activities and community-led initiatives. This major focuses on building skills to address issues like urban planning, racism, health care, and tech policy that are transformative to any career path. – Sammie Lambourne ’25

As a public policy student, you have access to a breadth of research opportunities within the Brooks School and across campus. Conduct your own independent research, or work on a team with our faculty experts. 

Student Research Examples

• Economic and social consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic
• Effects of pharmaceutical advertising on consumer behavior
• Google search data and unemployment rate predictions
• Homelessness during the opioid crises
• Reproductive access and the economic impact of the Pink Tax
• Salary inequalities by race and gender
• Vaping, e-cigarettes, and the impact on public health

Professional pathways

The increased interaction of federal, state, and local governments with social service organizations and private corporations requires specialized analytical skills and in-depth institutional knowledge of policy areas. With the Public Policy major you will be well positioned to take on policymaking roles in government agencies, non-profit organizations, and corporations.  

Internship Examples

• Center for Analytics Intern, U.S. Department of State Colin Powell Leadership Program 
• Congressional Intern, U.S. Senate
• Community Engagement Intern, AIDS Healthcare Foundation
• Equality California & LGBTQ+ Legislative Caucus Intern, California State Assembly
• Healthcare Administration Intern, Ascension
• Intern, U.S. Department of State Okinawa, Japan Office
• Legislative Intern, House Committee on Energy and Commerce
• Policy Intern, The Refugee and Immigrant Center for Education and Legal Services
• Project Management Intern, Women of Color Worldwide
• Public Policy and Research Intern, Another Tomorrow (Sustainable Clothing Corp.)

Early-Career Paths Have Included

• Associate Manager of Marketing, SC Johnson
• Clinical Operations Associate, Endeavor Biomedicines
• Clinical Research Coordinator, Mount Sinai Adolescent Health Center
• Data Privacy Associate, Ankura
• Global Public Policy Analyst, Blackrock
• Paralegal, Trachtenberg Rodes & Friedberg
• Public Relations and Communications Specialist, Bloomreach
• Political Strategy Consultant, Schoen Consulting
• Real Estate Analyst, Blackstone
• Regulatory Policy Analyst, Goldman Sachs
• Research and Policy Associate, Innovate Public Schools
• Research Assistant, Yale Tobin Center for Economic Policy