Ph.D. in Public Policy & Management


The Evans School Ph.D. in Public Policy and Management prepares graduates for teaching at the university level or for conducting research at public and nonprofit institutions.

We aim for our Ph.D. program to be one of the top public policy and administration doctoral programs regionally, nationally, and globally.

We offer our students:

  • An integrated program focusing on both public policy analysis and management

  • Access to the Evans School’s and University of Washington's policy-oriented research centers

  • The ability to enhance a chosen research specialization through courses in other departments at the University of Washington, which ranks number one in the nation among public universities in attracting federal research dollars

  • Award winning faculty with specializations in education, social issues, the environment, international development, nonprofit management, urban affairs, and more

  • Exposure to the broad array of domestic and international organizations and perspectives on public policy accessible in the Seattle metropolitan area

  • The option to earn a Master of Science (MS) degree in Public Policy and Management after successful completion of the first two years of coursework, the first year Qualifying Exam and the Major Area Paper at the end of their second year

  • Tuition and stipend assistance through fellowships, research and teaching assistantships at the Evans School, and in some instances in other University of Washington departments

We accept three to five Ph.D. students each year with the expectation that it will take four years to complete the degree.

Students in other degree programs at the University of Washington may also be interested in augmenting their degree with our Ph.D. Concentration in Public Policy and Management, which consists of four of the Ph.D. in Public Policy and Management core courses. 

Find out more about our Ph.D. degree requirements, current Ph.D. students, or how to apply.

For more information, contact the Evans School Student Services office at evansphd@u.washington.edu or 206.543.4900.