PhD in Public Policy and Economic in Ann Arbor United States | University of Michigan Ann Arbor

The Joint PhD Program in Public Policy is a partnership between the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy and multiple University of Michigan departments, including Economics, Political Science, and Sociology. Enrolled students gain dual membership in both their chosen academic department and the Ford School, engaging actively in a cross-disciplinary policy community. The curriculum includes mandatory coursework covering theoretical foundations, empirical methodologies, and specialized policy topics. First and second-year students also participate in a biweekly seminar series designed to expose them to practical policy research early in their studies. These seminars feature analysis of faculty research papers across all three disciplines, often with the authors present for discussion. During their third year, students develop an independent research project guided by two faculty advisors—one from the Ford School and one from their primary academic department.