Brandeis University

What you'll study

The PhD in Public Policy Analysis emphasises rigorous social science methods, substantive knowledge of policy domains, and original research leading to a doctoral dissertation. The curriculum typically combines core coursework in microeconomics for policy analysis, causal inference and program evaluation, statistics and econometrics, research design, and policy theory. Students also take advanced seminars in substantive policy areas such as health policy, social welfare, education policy, poverty and inequality, labour markets, and international social policy.

Early in the programme you will complete foundational courses and methods training, followed by qualifying exams or an equivalent assessment to demonstrate readiness for independent research. Doctoral candidates then design and carry out a dissertation that contributes new knowledge to public policy analysis, often using mixed methods, field experiments, administrative data, or comparative approaches.

• Core methods: econometrics, causal inference, programme evaluation, research design
• Substantive seminars: social welfare policy, health and healthcare policy, education policy, poverty and inequality
• Professional skills: grant-writing, research ethics, teaching and pedagogy, data management
• Research apprenticeship: independent study with faculty advisors, working papers, conference presentations

Entry requirements

Applicants are expected to hold a relevant master’s degree or the equivalent preparation in the social sciences, public policy, economics, statistics or a closely related field. Strong quantitative preparation is important; successful applicants typically have coursework in calculus, linear algebra, probability/statistics and introductory econometrics or demonstrated quantitative research experience.

Applications normally require academic transcripts, a curriculum vitae, a personal statement outlining research interests and fit with the Heller School faculty, and academic letters of recommendation. Evidence of prior research experience (such as a master’s thesis, publications, or research assistantships) strengthens an application. The programme reviews each application holistically; standardised tests may be considered if submitted but are not the sole criterion for admission.

Career prospects

Graduates of the PhD in Public Policy Analysis pursue careers across academia, government, non-governmental organisations, international organisations, and the private sector. Typical roles include university faculty and researchers, policy analysts and senior research staff at think tanks, program evaluation specialists in government agencies, research directors in foundations, and quantitative analysts in consulting firms. The programme’s emphasis on rigorous methods prepares graduates to design and evaluate social programmes, conduct empirical research using complex data, and translate evidence into policy recommendations.

Why study at Brandeis University

The Heller School for Social Policy and Management at Brandeis specialises in translating rigorous research into practical policy solutions. Doctoral students benefit from close mentorship by faculty who are active researchers in a wide range of social policy areas, opportunities to collaborate with interdisciplinary centres housed at Heller, and access to regional research networks in the Boston area. Brandeis’s location near Boston provides access to a rich ecosystem of academic institutions, research centres, government agencies and non-profit organisations, facilitating data partnerships, internships and employment connections.

Doctoral training at Brandeis emphasises both methodological excellence and real-world policy relevance. Students become part of a relatively small, collegial cohort with opportunities for teaching and research assistantships, professional development workshops, and support for conference travel and publication. The programme is designed for those who want both the analytical skills to conduct top-tier research and the applied orientation to influence policy and practice.