PhD Program

Why this graduate degree program may be for you

The Ph.D. in Law, Policy and Society is an interdisciplinary public policy program that provides a comprehensive view of the policy making process and its outcomes. Our interdisciplinary focus means that students come from a variety of backgrounds. And our students typically have several years of work experience. Students quickly find that engaging in a classroom with other students who hold degrees such as the MBA, JD, MPH, or other social science degrees is quite an intellectually stimulating experience. Areas of policy emphasis include health, environment, crime and justice, education and the labor market, urban policy, and race and gender.

Many graduates have found tenure‐track academic positions, some are well placed in the court system, and others have been hired in state government policy research positions.

What can you expect from the program

We distinguish LPS from other public policy programs in two ways. First, while many public policy programs are mostly applied economics, economics is only one part of our curriculum. Our hallmark course, Strategizing Public Policy, illustrates our approach to the discipline (see the syllabus on our web site). We use a case study method to analyze how policy is made at the local, state, and federal level through legislation, litigation, the ballot box, and civil action. Second, students interested in developing a more theoretical and empirical understanding of the law will appreciate our law and society focus.

Another unique aspect of the program is that students design their own interdisciplinary curriculum. After taking core courses in theory, research methodology and economics, students develop their own plan of study in their chosen policy field. Students take courses in the School of Law and other colleges at Northeastern. The law courses in the curriculum provide students with the foundation to conduct legal research, understand the legal aspects of their policy focus area and to understand how the courts make policy.

Core Courses and Syllabi

Introduction to Law, Policy and Society
Economics of Law and Regulation - ECON 7268
Introduction to Law and Legal Reasoning
Research and Statistical Methods I
Research and Statistical Methods II
Theories in Law, Policy and Society
Stratigizing Public Policy

Policy Focus Areas

Health Policy
Environmental Policy
Crime, Law, and Justice
Labor Markets, Education and Workforce Development
Urban Policy
Culture, Race and Gender Policy

Financial Aid and Scholarships

In addition to needs-based financial aid, a limited number of tuition discounts and scholarships are available. We urge you to complete your application for admission as early as possible. Applications for financial aid are processed after students have been admitted into the program. For complete details, go to www.policyschool.neu.edu/education/masters_urban/financial aid/.

Admissions

Admissions to the PhD in the Law, Policy and Society program are for the fall semester only. All applications must be submitted online.

Application Deadline: February 1st , 2010 for Fall Semester 2010

HOW TO APPLY

To apply to the Law, Policy and Society program, please submit:

Official transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate schools
GRE scores
Personal statement
Current resume
Three letters of recommendation
Application fee