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Home > Degree Programs > Doctoral Programs > PhD in Public Policy > Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
For questions regarding deadlines and the application process for the PhD in Public Policy, please see the Office of Admissions.
Q. What is the size of the applicant pool? How many will be accepted?
A. 200 applications are anticipated; 10-15 applicants will be accepted.
Q: Can the writing sample be submitted online?
A: Yes.
Q. Can a writing sample be submitted in a language other than English? Can a writing sample be co-authored?
A. The writing sample must be written in English and cannot be co-authored.
Q. How long does it take to complete the PhD in Public Policy?
A. The average time to completion is five years.
Q. How long are students required to be in residence?
A. Minimum: three years (two years at HKS and one year at GSAS).
Q. Can I study part-time or is distance learning available?
A. There are no part-time or distance learning options. All course work must be completed in residence full-time at Harvard.
Q. What do “full course” and “half-course” mean?
A. A full course is a year-long course that meets several times a week. (There are only a few such courses, all of which are taught at the undergraduate level.) A half-course is a semester course that meets several times a week. (This is the standard structure for a Harvard course.) Note: Some half-courses are taught over the entire academic year. These courses must be taken for the full year in order to get half-course credit.
Q. Must I have an advisor or mentor before I enter?
A. No. The Standing Committee will assign advisors to all first year students.
Q. In what sectors do graduates from the PhD in Public Policy get jobs?
50% - Academia
25% - Government
25% - Consulting
A complete list of job placements can be found in the PhD Career Placement Archive.
Q. Are the application deadlines the same for the PhD in Public Policy and PhD in Political Economy and Government?
A. No. The PhD in Public Policy application deadline is December 11, 2009, 5pm EST. The deadline for the PhD in Political Economy and Government application is December 31, 2009, 5pm EST.
Q. What are the TOEFL Requirements?
A. The TOEFL is NOT required of predoctoral applicants if the applicant holds a master's degree from a University where English is the language of instruction.
Predoc apps must score at or above 103-104, or 257, or 613, depending on the format of the test.
Q. Can I submit GMAT scores instead of the GRE?
A. No. Applicants to the predoctoral program may not present the GMAT.
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- Q. What is the size of the applicant pool? How many will be accepted?
- Q: Can the writing sample be submitted online?
- Q. Can a writing sample be submitted in a language other than English? Can a writing sample be co-authored?
- Q. How long does it take to complete the PhD in Public Policy?
- Q. How long are students required to be in residence?
- Q. Can I study part-time or is distance learning available?
- Q. What do “full course” and “half-course” mean?
- Q. Must I have an advisor or mentor before I enter?
- Q. In what sectors do graduates from the PhD in Public Policy get jobs?
- Q. Are the application deadlines the same for the PhD in Public Policy and PhD in Political Economy and Government?
- Q. What are the TOEFL Requirements?
- Q. Can I submit GMAT scores instead of the GRE?