The Doctorate in Public Policy (DPP) is a comprehensive doctoral program that combines rigorous theoretical and practical training in public policy and advanced analytics. The program focuses on developing the analytical and quantitative skills that prepare students for careers in public, private, and non-profit organizations, where they will work as high-level analysts and leaders.

 

Note: The PhD in Political Science, not the DPP, is intended for students who specifically wish to prepare themselves to be professors.

 

Admission. Admission requirements are detailed in the Admissions section of the current Policies and General Information Bulletin.

 

University Policies. Policies detailed in the current Policies and General Information Bulletin apply.

 

General Requirements

 

Coursework: A minimum of 64 units of graduate-level coursework is required, including completion of the core course requirements listed below. Students entering with the prerequisites and attending full time complete the degree in 2-3 summers and 6 academic-year semesters, or about 3 years.

 

Prerequisites: Students entering with a BA/BS should have 3 or more years of professional experience and take ECON 308 – Math for Economists or equivalent; PP 481 – Introduction to Statistical Analysis or equivalent; and ECON 313 – Microeconomics OR SPE 313 – Microeconomics and Public Policy or equivalent.

 

Students entering with an MPP are assumed to have the equivalent of this coursework but should take courses as needed; any needed prerequisites are in addition to the 64 units required for the DPP.

 

Transdisciplinary Course Requirement: Students will take at least 6 units of TNDY courses, usually offered cohort-style during summer/fall intensive formats.

 

Research Tools: Students take at least 28 units of research tools courses.

 

Qualifying Exams: There are no qualifying exams. Students take 6 units of practicum courses and 8 units of capstone courses.

 

Dissertation: There is no dissertation requirement. Students complete 6 units of practicum courses and 8 units of capstone courses, including 4 units of a Capstone Completion course. The rigorous, applied capstone project is in lieu of a dissertation.

 

Degree Requirements

Prerequisites (12 units)

·ECON 308 – Math for Economists* or equivalent

• PP 481 – Introduction to Statistical Analysis or equivalent
• ECON 313 – Microeconomics OR SPE 313 – Microeconomics and Public Policy or equivalent

 

*Please note that this course starts in early August as a Module 1, Fall course. Any student who wishes to may attempt to test out of this class.

 

Research Tools (28 units)

• SPE 489 - Computational Tools for Social Science
• SPE 487 - Visualizing Data
• PP 482 – Multivariate Regression Analysis
• PP 484 – Survey Research**
• PP 485  - Qualitative and Mixed Methods Research***
• PP 487  - Applied Data Analysis (various letters and topics)
• TBD Course on Experimental Design

 

**With advisor approval, you may take Psych 315J - Survey Research Methods as a substitute.

***With advisor approval you may take Psych 315Q - Qualitative Research Methods as a substitute.

 

Core Courses (12 units)

• PP 330 - Public Policy Process
• PP 331 - Policy Evaluation
• PP 338 - Policy Design and Implementation

 

Transdisciplinary Studies (6 units)

Students will take at least 6 units of Transdisciplinary (TNDY) courses, usually offered cohort-style in summer/fall intensive formats. Specific courses should be chosen in consultation with advisor.

 

Practicum Courses (6 units)

DPP students will take 6 units of practicum coursework, much of it offered by CGU’s The Evaluators’ Institute (TEI). Practicum components should be chosen in consultation with advisor.

 

Capstone Courses (8 units)

DPP students will take a total of 8 units of Capstone courses, one during the first year, one during the second year, and the 4-unit Completion course during the final semester of the program.

• A 2-unit Capstone Proposal course
• A 2-unit Capstone Progress course
• A 4-unit Capstone Completion course

 

Electives (4 units)

• SPE 354 – Comparative Public Policy* OR
• See advisor for suggestions.

*Strongly recommended for students with 4 units remaining

 

Suggested Schedule, 3-year plan

First Summer/Fall

Take one, 2-unit TNDY (various) course that could include material such as: Orientation Problem-focused approaches Cohort-building Transdisciplinary thinking Introduction to Wicked problems; etc.

First Fall

SPE 489 - Computational Tools for Social Science PP 330 - Public Policy Process

First Spring

Capstone Proposal Course (2 units) SPE 487 - Visualizing Data TBD Course on Experimental Design

Second Summer

Practicum Course 2 TEI Workshops such as Utilization-Focused Evaluation; How to Enhance the Learning Function of Evaluation; Culture, Equity and Evaluation.  (2 units) PP 331 - Policy Evaluation

Second Fall

PP 482 – Multivariate Regression Analysis (content: Econometrics I) PP 338 - Policy Design and Implementation PP 484 – Survey Research

Second Spring

PP 485 - Qualitative and Mixed Methods Research PP 487 - Applied Data Analysis (various letters and topics)

Third Summer

Take one, 2-unit TNDY (various) course that could include material such as: Project Management, etc. Practicum Course 2 TEI Workshops such as Creating and Implementing Successful Evaluation Surveys; Introduction to Chat GPT4 for Evaluation. (2 units) Capstone Progress course (2 units)

Third Fall

Take one, 2-unit TNDY (various) course that could include material such as: Crisis/Change Management, etc. (2 units) Practicum 2 TEI Workshops such as Sampling; Applied Measurement for Evaluation; Introduction to Machine Learning, etc. (2 units) Electives (4 units)

Third Spring

4-unit Capstone Completion course (4)

 

 

Division of Politics and Economics Practical Experience Milestone

Doctoral students in the Division of Politics and Economics must meet the Practical Experience Milestone through:

• An applied research project with CGU or 5C faculty OR
• An applied research report submitted to a client OR
• One or more semesters of relevant work experience between matriculation and graduation OR
• Another practical or applied work or research experience approved by the department as achieving one or more program
• learning outcomes.

Students must have their milestones approved by the department prior to the submission of their Final Approval Form. This

milestone is to be completed during the time to degree at CGU (maximum of 7 years for doctoral students). Extensions of Time

to Degree citing the need to complete this milestone will not be approved. Students can have a maximum of 3 years of experience for the Practical Experience Milestone.