Modality
On Campus
Program URL
https://mccourt.georgetown.edu/programs/dual-degree-programs/mpp-phd-in-government/
The McCourt School and the Department of Government offer a dual MPP/PhD in Government through the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. Students are able to combine their applied interests and training in public policy with broader exposure to political theory and institutions offered through the doctoral program. The degree is designed to attract motivated students interested in both politics and policy who desire to pursue positions for applied research, teaching, or evaluation and consulting in universities, nonprofit, business or government organizations.
Academic Policies
The academic policies and procedures of joint program in Public Policy and Government are those specified in Georgetown’s University Bulletin.
Program Requirements
The dual degree consists of 69-credit hours total and involves approximately six semesters to complete required coursework. Applicants may apply to both programs at their initial point of application at Georgetown, or they may apply to the Department of Government during their first year of studies at the McCourt School. Depending on a student’s specific professional and academic goals, the course sequence is developed in consultation with his/her academic advisers in both departments.
Up to 27 MPP credits also count towards the Ph.D. In addition to MPP coursework, students must satisfy additional course requirements established by the Government Department, pass comprehensive examinations and complete a doctoral dissertation.
Public Policy
Required coursework for the Master of Public Policy includes:
Government
Doctoral students must successfully complete a minimum of 48 credits of coursework. They must also select a Field of studies to focus their coursework and research. Dual Degree students must select from the Comparative Government, International Relations, or American Government Fields.
Major Field Requirements (12 credits)
- Four 8000-level GOVT classes (12 credits) in major field
- Pass a Comprehensive Exam in the major field, typically within the spring semester of the second year of study.
Distribution Requirements (9 credits)
- GOVT 8800: Fundamentals of Political Theory (3 credits) in the first semester of study
- Two additional 8000-level GOVT classes in one or more substantive fields other than the major field of study.
Methods Requirements (6 credits)
- GOVT 8001: Quantitative Methods I (3 credits) or an approved equivalent quantitative methods class.
- One additional methods class (3 credits)
Electives (21 credits)
- 7 graduate-level courses in any field. At least one elective must be in a field that is neither the student’s major field nor methods.
Required Examinations
Comprehensive Examinations
All students must complete a written Comprehensive Examination in their major field. The Comprehensive Exam is offered twice a year, and it is the student’s responsibility to inform the Department when they are ready to take the exam.
American Government
The American Government Field Comprehensive Exam consists of two parts taken in the span of eight hours in the same day. Part I of the exam consists of one question in which the student must formulate a response. During Part II of the exam, the student will select three questions to answer.
Comparative Government
The Comparative Government Comprehensive Exam is offered over eight hours in one day. Part I of the exam addresses political methodology. Students select one question and provide a written response. Part II covers topics in Comparative Government, and students select three questions to answer.
International Relations
The International Relations Comprehensive Exam is offered over two days. On Day 1, students are given four questions related to the International Relations Field. They must provide written responses to two questions of their choosing within four hours. On Day Two, students select two questions from two different topic areas in International Relations.
Second Year Research Paper
Students in the American Government, Comparative Government, and International Relations fields are required to write a second year research paper. The paper can be based on a paper written for a class and should follow the format and be of the length of an article in the field to which it pertains.
The Director of Graduate Studies will work with the chair of the field in which the paper fits to identify two appropriate faculty reviewers. Papers are graded as “Not Qualified,” “Qualified,” or “Qualified with Distinction.” Students who receive a rating of “Not Qualified” may submit a revised version of the paper, or another paper, within six months of receiving the grade.
Thesis Requirements
Government
Once students have completed the comprehensive exams, they must form a Dissertation Committee who have special competence in the area or topic and who collectively can help with the theoretical, methodological, and empirical dimensions of the student’s research.
Once the dissertation prospectus is written and students have received approval from their committee members, students will present their prospectus at a 90-minute colloquium that is open to Government Department faculty and students.
Students will spend at least two years researching and writing the dissertation. Results of the research will be presented at a public dissertation defense where anyone in attendance may ask the candidate questions. At the conclusion of the defense, the committee will vote in private to determine whether the student may proceed with submitting the dissertation to the Graduate School and ultimately graduating.
