Dartmouth University

What you'll study

This PhD emphasises substantive policy research grounded in methodological rigour. Core study typically covers advanced microeconomics for public policy, causal inference and programme evaluation, advanced statistics and econometrics, research design, and qualitative methods. Students also take seminars in policy areas such as health policy, environmental and energy policy, education policy, social welfare, and regulatory policy.

The programme is structured around coursework in the early years, followed by comprehensive examinations and a dissertation stage. Typical modules and activities include:

• Quantitative methods: probability and statistical inference, linear and nonlinear models, panel data, difference-in-differences, instrumental variables, regression discontinuity, and machine-learning approaches for policy analysis.
• Research design and causal inference: experimental design, quasi-experimental methods, surveys and measurement, and ethics in policy research.
• Policy field seminars: in-depth seminars on health care systems, environmental regulation and climate policy, education interventions, labour and welfare policy, urban policy and transportation, and technology and public policy.
• Theory and foundations: public economics, political economy, and policy process theory to situate empirical work within broader institutional contexts.
• Teaching and professional development: opportunities for teaching assistantships, grant-writing workshops, presentation training, and practicum or applied research placements with research centres or government partners.

Entry requirements

Applicants should normally hold a relevant master’s degree or a strong bachelor’s degree with substantial quantitative training. Typical academic preparation includes coursework in calculus, linear algebra, intermediate microeconomics or political science theory, statistics, and introductory econometrics or research methods. Candidates must demonstrate research potential through academic transcripts, a CV, strong letters of recommendation, and a research statement outlining proposed interests.

Additional considerations commonly taken into account are prior research experience (for example, a research assistantship or thesis), programming and data-analysis skills (such as R, Python, Stata), and alignment with potential faculty supervisors. Standardised test requirements vary; consult the programme for current guidance on GRE or other examinations and on English language proficiency requirements for international applicants.

Career prospects

Graduates pursue a range of research-focused careers. Common pathways include:

• Academic positions in universities and colleges, typically in public policy, political science, economics, public health or related departments.
• Research roles in government agencies at local, regional and national levels, serving as analysts, policy advisors or programme evaluators.
• Employment in think tanks and policy research organisations producing evidence for public debate and policy formulation.
• Positions in international organisations, foundations and non‑governmental organisations conducting policy research and programme evaluation.
• Consulting roles in firms that advise public- and private-sector clients on policy design, impact evaluation and data-driven decision-making.

Why study at Dartmouth University

Dartmouth offers a collegial, small-cohort environment with access to interdisciplinary expertise across the College. Students benefit from strong faculty mentorship, collaboration with specialised research centres focused on health policy, environmental policy and quantitative methods, and cross-school connections with management and engineering schools for applied research opportunities.

Research resources include close ties to applied policy projects, opportunities for funded research assistantships, and an emphasis on translating rigorous methods into actionable policy insights. The programme’s scale encourages personalised supervision and a networked community of peers, supporting early-career publication, conference participation and placement into research and academic roles.